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The Cave	By : Himitsu_no_Tokumei Category: Digimon > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2022 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon, nor do I make any profit off of this work of fiction.

Chapter List
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Chapter 2: The Harmonica
He felt it, the shear heat that burned through his body, radiating from the slight friction between his mouth and the other boy’s. And, for a few seconds, neither seemed to move, one too busy being startled to try and think, and the other too busy trying to think to be startled. The former did know one thing, though: the contact sent a fire through his body, as well.
A flood of recognition washed over the blonde, who jerked away suddenly and held the other boy at arm’s length. His breath came in heavy gasps, and had he looked he would have noticed the same reaction in Tai. “That was… um, well, part of… I mean… uh, another way to say sorry! Yeah, that’s it! An American apology!” Matt stammered, desperately needing his friend to believe it. He hadn’t figured out what it truly was himself.
For the moment it took their breath to return to normal neither said anything (except for Matt hasty explanation). Tai’s teeth played with his lower lip as he debated asking Matt to apologize again. He was curious if he’d feel the same intoxicating sensation again. Still, as both just stood there, not looking at the other for fear their inner turmoil would become apparent, the silence deepened to suffocating. Not certain how many minutes had passed, and needing to break the silence, Matt nervously asked, “We were getting popsicles, right?” His breathing had returned to normal (as had Tai’s), and the other boy had yet to hit him, so Matt didn’t want to act abnormal. Tai’s may be dense, but even he could tell when something was seriously wrong with his best friend. Looking at the brunette, for a second the musician thought he say disappointment on the cheery gogglehead’s face before it was replaced by his normal, stupid grin.
“Yeah, lets go get them,” Tai said, grabbing the blonde’s wrist to drag him into the kitchen. Matt made certain to keep his urged under control this time (to Tai’s disappointment), not certain how to explain a second unexplainable action. However, in his haste to sound normal, Matt had forgotten just how cold popsicles were (yeah, Tai fried his brain XD) and he soon felt the same chill from before the kiss, which had amazingly warmed up the constantly cold teenager.
Matt was glad to have Tai to laugh with again. He did not bring up the fight because he knew it would inevitably lead to the kiss which Matt just wanted to stop thinking about. Instead, they spoke of other incidents, such as a couple months before when they all went to the beach and Izzy came back a lobster. The thought suddenly stuck, and the blonde stood; sunlight no longer streamed in through the windows (A/N okay, this was one of my train of thought type things… It doesn’t have to make sense…). “It’s really dark out,” he said. “We should be out looking for TK and Kari.”
“They’ll be fine,” Tai said, looking at the clock and laying back into the comfortable cushions of the couch.
“How can you say that!?” Matt asked, going into over-protective-brother mode. “How many rampaging digimon have we fought in the last month alone?”
“Yes, we,” Tai said, sending Matt his own words. “We includes TK and Kari. They aren’t children anymore; they can take care of themselves.”
“We are their older brothers!” Matt retorted. “We are supposed to protect them!”
“We can’t always be there, Matt,” the brunette replied, starting to get annoyed by the other teen’s stubbornness. “At a point we have to let them try things on their own. Remember, they have saved the world twice now. Also remember that we were that age when we first went to the digital world.” Calming down, he added, “Besides, it’s only 7:36. I told them to be back by 8.”
Matt had been about to rebut Tai’s argument about their age when he made the mistake of looking at the other male. Memories of the kiss flooded back into his mind, cutting off any sound he would have emitted. Besides, he could not argue against the fact that Tai was right. If he continued like this then the fight would quickly escalate and get out of hand like the one that led to him kissing Tai.
Get that out of your head! The blonde yelled at himself. “TK might bring Kari back to my back to my place if it’s closer. He is staying there for a few weeks while his mom is out-of-town, after all. If they do then they won’t have anything but take-out to eat,” Matt said. “I should head home.”
“Alright,” Tai smiled. “Be sure not to fix something too unhealthy, they already had ice cream after all.” (How they could eat ice cream in October Matt could not figure out. A popsicle in a warm house had left him frozen.)
Matt mock-scowled back at his best friend. “I only cook proper meals,” he said, drawing a laugh from both boys. Yes, Matt could cook, but you kind of have to have non-spoiled food to cook in order to… well… cook. Walking to the door, Matt yelled up the stairs, “Come on, Gabumon! Time to go home!”
Gabumon poked his head around the corner at the top of the stairs. “I think I’ll stay here for tonight, Matt,” he said, yawning. “I’m tired and want to stay with Agumon.”
Matt’s spirits dropped a bit. That meant he was going home alone. It wasn’t all bad, though. Being alone meant he could think out loud.

Matt lived only a 10 minute walk away, but the blonde took a lot more time than that. His mind raced over the events at Tai’s place, and his emotions during them, slowing his physical body. At times he stood still. His teeth nervously played with his lower lip as his mind worked in overdrive. Each time he reviewed it, Matt wished he could come up with another deduction.
“It can’t be…” he said to the empty street, eyes rigidly focused on his open hand. “It’s not that… I love him, right?” He purposely recalled the kiss and replayed it in his thoughts, sending a flood of heat to his cheeks that parched his mouth and throat in the process. After the few seconds of shock passed, the musician slapped a hand over his mouth. “It is…” he muttered into the barrier, shaken. “I’m in love with Tai.” The answer brought only more questions, and Matt slumped defensively against the wall. He was in love with his best friend, his best male friend; how was he supposed to face him? Everything had changed now that he knew. Could he really act normal when he was practically choking on butterflies? How would Tai react if he knew? Would he distance himself? If Tai did, could he handle it?
The blond was still caught in the turbulence when TK came upon him five minutes later. “Yamato Ishida!(1)” the boy yelled, pulling Matt from his disorganized emotions. “Finally! I only have to call you 10 times!” he huffed.
“Oh, sorry, TK,” Matt said, successfully putting on a mask. “I was just thinking about someone-thing! I mean something!” Okay, maybe not so successfully. His slip drew a giggle from his younger brother. “Oh, shut up you brat!” he said with mock-annoyance, grabbing the younger male and promptly giving him a noggie. “What would you like for dinner?”
“Anything’s fine to me,” TK enthusiastically cheered.
“Alright, steak and potatoes it is,” Matt grinned, glad for the distraction. At least the thought of food could keep his mind off Tai and the fact that he just learned he was gay. His phone chose that moment to go off.
“Your phone is ringing,” TK said.
“I can see that,” Matt stated, fishing for his phone in his pocket. “Thank you for pointing out the obvious.” He felt cold metal under his fingertips and could not prevent a small smile from touching his lips. It was his harmonica, the same one he had when they had originally gone to the digital world. The one Tai had complimented him on. A shrill noise broke him from his trance. Right, phone. Not Tai, phone. Retrieving the device and flipping it open, Matt opened the picture message he received… and felt his blood pressure shoot up. So much for not thinking about a certain male. The teen was laying on a couch, shirtless, a piece of messy, brown hair falling over his closed eyes, Someone had placed a blanket over half his legs.
“Tai must have been tired,” TK said, causing Matt to jump. The latter had momentarily forgotten they were supposed to be heading home.
“Yeah,” he agreed, glad for the shrouding cover of darkness for his face had to be several shades of red. Damnit Matt, get a reign on your emotions before school the day after tomorrow! You can’t become a beet every time you see him! The older blonde scolded himself. “Now lets get home, I’m starving.” Before getting a reply, Matt took off. He heard a “hey” somewhere behind him, but knew the more athletic boy wouldn’t have a problem keeping up.
If they had been the same age Matt would not have won. The 15-year-old’s longer legs were really the only thing that kept him ahead of his little brother. “I really should go running around the Digiworld more,” he panted, leaning on the doorframe for support. “Just don’t have time between school and my band.”
TK nodded in sympathy as he removed his shoes. It was true, Matt was incredibly busy. He also had to take care of the house and cook. Speaking of which, Matt was wearing the pink apron again. TK could not remember where he got it from, but it just fortified the fact that Matt was gay. Yes, TK knew, just as he knew his brother loved Tai. Hell, he and Kari knew their brothers secretly loved each other before the two boys did. TK wasn’t sure if Tai even knew that yet. Matt had obviously figured it out, though. The younger blonde would have teased his brother had he not been cooking dinner. As it was, Matt’s mind wandered several times—To a specific, brown-haired boy, maybe? TK wondered—and he had to keep Matt from burning dinner.
Once they sat down to eat, Matt was no longer safe from his brother’s ridicule. “You must have really been distracted by that someone—er, something—you were thinking about earlier,” TK mischievously grinned. The addressed male felt a small blush heat up his face. “After all, you nearly burnt dinner several times.”
“Sorry I was a little distracted,” Matt sarcastically replied. He did not need TK increasing his embarrassment. He was able to calm his thoughts of his best friend easier now that the initial shock had passed, but that did not stop the brunette from being a distraction. Nor did it keep him from the pale teen’s thoughts, which pulled an exhausted sigh from his throat. Too much had happened that day for Matt to not be tired.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure he loves you, too,” the boy said said, reaching over and patting Matt on the shoulder. He was rewarded with a blush and an extremely stunned look.
“Wh-what did you just say!?” the musician asked, hoping he heard the 12-year-old wrong, and receiving a completely clueless look in reply.
“What?” the younger sibling asked. “I said I’m sure she loves you, too.” His voice sounded genuine. If only Matt knew how good TK was at acting.
“O-oh,” he blushed. Calm down, Matt. There is no way TK knows, the teen mentally assured himself. Although, if you keep this up he might figure it out.
“Right, Matt?” TK asked, pulling the other male from his thoughts.
“Huh?” he asked. “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”
TK seemed to puff up in annoyance, making his sibling chuckle. “I said I bet Tai and Kari would have loved to have some of this. The only home cooking they get is worse than yours when you decide to fall asleep halfway through preparing it and it all burns. It’s no wonder Tai can eat the school food. If he can survive his mother’s cooking then he can probably eat anything.”
The two boys laughed at this. While most people wouldn’t even touch the food offered at their school, Tai made a habit of asking for seconds. “I could have invited them over had you two not been so late,” Matt told his brother.
“We figured it was best to give you two some time,” TK responded. “You know, to kiss and make up. Those were some pretty mean things you said.” TK was watching the teenager out of the corner of his eye, and was honestly surprised to see Matt blush so deeply at the word kiss. He kissed Tai! His mind excitedly yelled. Yes! We are making progress!
“Finish your dinner,” Matt managed to say past the lump in his throat. Why does my body have to freeze up like this? the musician asked himself.
“Matt, breathe,” the younger blonde said, giggling slightly. Matt had a tendency to freeze up when embarrassed. “Thinking of your love again?”
“Takeru!” Matt yelled, anger leaking through the annoyance. His expression told TK he was correct, but his tone said it was time to knock it off. Besides, the young boy knew that if he pushed too hard he would only set them back. Why else would he and Kari not just come out and tell their brothers what they knew? To tell them straight out would only make the two deny it, so instead they dropped hints and joked about it to set the idea in the two teens’ minds. They had to realize it themselves.
“Okay, okay, Matt,” TK nervously said, defensively bringing his hands up to calm Matt down a bit. “I was only messing around.”
Grumbling, Matt returned to his food. The conversation had brought up thoughts he had finally suppressed. Concentrating on food helped, and it was becoming increasingly easier to push down his desires. At this rate I’ll be able to survive at school on Monday, he thought, smiling around the fork in his mouth.
TK had to take a shower immediately after eating, and Matt took his after doing the dishes. Matt’s annoyance had fizzled out by this time, and the two sat on the couch and watched TV until the younger boy fell asleep, his head resting on Matt’s shoulder. He was sound asleep when Matt carried him into his room and tucked him in. Quietly leaving, the teen pulled out his cell phone and scanned through the messages. He wanted to save that picture of Tai, and hadn’t been able to before with TK constantly looking over his shoulder. That boy was too inquisitive for his own good.
Matt juggled his phone for a few second before it inevitably fell to the floor, startled when it suddenly went off in his hands. Taichi Kamiya flashed on the screen as he picked it up, and the flustered boy answered with a hurried, “Hello?”
“Hi, Matt,” came the sleepy voice from the receiver. Matt’s visage softened considerably, the blonde softly walking over to the couch and taking a seat.
"Tai, are you okay?” he asked, not allowing his concern to leak into his tone. It could have simply been the sleepiness, but he thought he heard an underlying problem in his friend’s voice.
There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds. “Hm? Oh, yeah. Just tired,” the brunette replied. “Just woke up from a nap.”
Was there something there? He sounded slightly hoarse. “Tai, you don’t sound too good,” Matt stated, worry slipping in around the edges of his voice. “And it’s not just sleepiness,” he added, cutting off the other’s report that is all it was.
“It’s nothing, really,” Tai insisted. “Gabumon and Agumon stole my room so I went down to the couch. Must have fallen asleep. Too much thinking, not enough brain power to go through it all.” Matt could almost feel Tai grinning at his own joke.
“You can think? I’m thoroughly surprised!” Matt replied in a joking manner. He wanted to ask what his best friend was thinking so intently about, but didn’t. He wasn’t sure he was ready to hear what could preoccupy his ADHD friend’s mind.
“I know, it’s a miracle,” he laughed quietly.
He could not deny it this time. Tai sounded hoarse, as if he was sick or crying, and that only made Matt nervous. “I think the world is going to end,” he choked out, attempting to sound normal. “Really Tai, are you okay?”
A cough echoed in Matt’s ear, at least he had his answer now. “Ugh… I think I may be sick…” the person on the phone admitted.
Sighing, the pale teen said the first thing that came to his mind. “If you’re not feeling well I’ll come over and make you some soup.”
“You don’t have to, Matt,” came the slightly-weaker-than-normal reply. “I’ve taken care of Kari when she was sick so many times it is almost like a drill now.”
Matt mentally groaned. Tai doesn’t want me around… he thought for a few seconds before shaking it away. No, that’s jus how Tai is. “Look, you don’t let a sick person take care of themselves,” the blonde stated matter-of-factly. “Someone takes care of them while they rest.”
“But I can take care of myself. I’m okay.”
Blonde brows furrowed. How many times had Tai said that? There was the time he was climbing a tree and had trouble getting back down; he got a concussion. There was another time the idiot boy jumped into a pond everyone was telling him not to; they had to pull about a dozen leeches off of him. Yeah, he was not leaving Tai to his own devices. “If you are sick then working like that will only make you worse,” he insisted.
Matt couldn’t see it (obviously), but Tai grinned. “Well, if you’re going to be so stubborn about it, you should come over and take care of me.”
If Matt wasn’t sitting he would be now, out of exasperation. “That’s what I have been saying for the last several minutes,” the teenager sighed. “Give me 10 minutes, I have to leave TK a note incase he wakes. Just lay down and rest.”
“Alright!” Tai said, hanging up and laying back down. “Matt’s coming over!” he sang, clutching the phone to his chest.
The other boy sighed and placed the phone back on the docking station. Tai had way too much energy to keep up with, even when he was sick. Writing the note reminded him of one fact his mind had skipped over in its concern. Kari would be in bed by now and the two teens’ digimon were in Tai’s room upstairs. He would practically be alone with Tai. It took him several seconds to calm his suddenly erratic breathing. “Calm down,” he breathed. “You are going for him, not for you. Keep your mind clean.” Finishing the note, he rushed out the door.
Matt pulled Tai’s key out of his pocket. The idiot had left it at Matt’s apartment several weeks ago. By the time Matt found it he had already had a new key made. Since the two were so close, Tai told him to keep it.
He took his shoes off in the entryway, and was greeted by chocolate eyes watching him over the back of the couch. “Do you live here now?” his crush asked, laughing lightly.
“If I had knocked you would have answered, and I told you to lie down and rest which you obviously aren’t doing if you’re watching me over the back of the couch,” Matt corrected as he headed towards the kitchen. Stopping for a second in front of the dark-haired teen, he added, “Besides, you’re the one who gave me a key,” before continuing into the linoleum room, twirling the keychain on his pointer finger before stowing the item away in his pocket.
Tai pouted. “Fine,” he said in his best whiney, hurt voice that sent shivers up the other male’s spine (who cursed his nerves; he had done just fine when teasing him about the key!). “So… I’m sick. How are you?”
“I’m fine,” Matt replied, rummaging through cupboards and moving cans of soup containers of instant macaroni. The blonde looked annoyed when he peered around the corner at the brunette who still wasn’t lying down. Matt would have made the other male lie down, if it had been a few days ago. Now, though, he wasn’t sure if he could control himself if he was in such a position. Instead he just concentrated on soup. “Do you guys have anything other than microwave food?” he asked. The fridge and freezer had contained frozen meals and milk, along with a few leftovers Matt didn’t even want to know what they were and some fruit.
Tai blushed and looked away. “Uhhh… I’m going to choose not to answer that question…” he laughed embarrassedly, a laugh that gradually turned into coughs and a groan.
Matt winced at Tai’s pained expression. “There is a grocery store not a few minutes away. I’ll just run over and get a few things. Hand made soup is better than canned soup.”
The football player nodded in agreement. “Alright,” he said, sniffling. His cold had sure gotten bad fast.
“It shouldn’t take me but 5 minutes, so just rest while I’m gone,” Matt stated, walking out the door. (A/N: I’m surprised Tai hasn’t said “yes, mother” with how often Matt is telling him to rest. Taichi: You have to write it for me to say it…) The store was practically empty at this hour of night, and the teenager was glad it was even open still. Rushing back with his arms full, he barely told the other boy “hi” as he sped into the kitchen. A pleasant aroma soon filled the living room, making Tai’s mouth water.
“You’re so nice,” Tai said melodically, snuggling into the couch.
“You’re just too stupid to take care of yourself,” Matt retorted, making the mistake of looking towards the living room while pouring the soup and spilt the scalding liquid on his hand. Biting his lip to keep from yelping, the musician quickly put his hand under cold, running water. Placing the bowl on a lap tray, Matt brought his best friend his soup. His hand stung, but he hoped the lighting would keep Tai from noticing the new red tint on his skin. “It’s hot, so blow on it before you take a bite.”
“Okay, thanks, Matt,” Tai said, sitting up and smiling at the pale teenager.
Tai’s smile is cute, Matt thought before his rational brain could stop him. He was starting to realize that he couldn’t stop the thoughts from coming. “It-it’s nothing,” he stammered, still needing to work a bit on hiding his reactions to afore mentioned thoughts. “I’d have done it for any of the others except that none of them are dense enough to not take it easy when they are sick.”
“I’ll have you know I haven’t moved from this couch since I fell asleep,” Tai said confidently.
“If I hadn’t told you not to you would have,” Matt countered, absently rubbing the burn on his hand.
“Only because I’d have to,” Tai replied indignantly, placing the spoon he had brought halfway to his mouth back in the bowl.
“If I hadn’t noticed you wouldn’t have asked for help,” the blonde said in return.
The accused boy was saved from coming up with a response when Matt winced, accidentally touching a sensitive spot on his hand. “What did you do?” he asked.
“Nothing, really,” Matt said, too quickly while hastily hiding the burn with his other hand.
“You burned yourself, didn’t you?” the tanned male asked.
The look on his friend’s face left no doubt. “You distracted me by talking to me while I was pouring it,” he mumbled.
Tai shook his bushy head and reached forward, grabbing the burned hand gently. He felt Matt tense up, but didn’t think anything of it as he looked over the minor burn. “If you had let me take care of myself you wouldn’t have gotten hurt,” he said.
"I can handle a small burn!” Matt almost yelled, flustered. He would have had he not remembered that some people were asleep. Frankly, he was surprised he could think with the electricity pulsing up his arm from their joined hands. “Now eat your soup and go to sleep. I left TK alone at home.”
The brunette looked up from Matt’s hand into his crystalline eyes. “Go. I’ll eat and rest. Don’t worry about me,” Tai said.
Matt removed his hand from the other boy’s, trying to make it seem casual, normal, and not a desperate attempt to prevent the heart attack he was certain he’d soon have. As Tai turned back to his meal, the blonde said, “If I leave you will likely drown in your soup and I’ll be charged with murder.” In truth, he wanted to leave. He was sure his heart was beating loud enough to wake Kari, but he also didn’t want to leave Tai while he was sick.
“I’ll be okay, Matt, you’re overreacting,” the sick teen said, taking a bite of soup. The liquid sent waves of heat through him, pushing back the cold.
Matt looked away from him. Does he really want me to leave? he wondered. He could not determine, and decided that it would be better to simply leave. “If you insist, I’ll go home…” he mumbled, standing up.
“I just know you should get back to TK. There isn’t anything you can do here anyway, so it’s best if you head home and take your own advice and get some rest,” Tai replied, his normal sincerity gone from his tone. He didn’t know why he had said those words so neutrally, but he guessed it was from the cold.
Yeah, he wants me gone, Matt thought. “I’ll be going then,” he said, walking to the door. “Bye, Tai…” he trailed off, walking out the door and closing it. He didn’t hear Tai sadly reply “bye.”
(A/N Matt’s pessimism is explained later. I’d tell you now, but it would give a good part away. I’m sorry.)
Left to his thoughts, the male wandered. He wasn’t certain which direction he was going or even where he was until he came to a familiar sight. The jungle gym was rusted now, one slide had collapsed, but the swings were still up. How many times had he and his bushy-haired friend come here? He wasn’t sure. It was no longer in use now.
Matt nostalgically walked over to the swing, feeling the cold plastic under his fingers before sitting down on the swing Tai always took. He liked it because it squeaked more. Ever the annoying brat. Things had been so simple back then. They fought, true, but as friendly rivals. He hadn’t loved Tai back then. Or, maybe he had, and just didn’t realize it. It didn’t matter. Why can’t things go back to that? Why can’t I just forget these feelings? But even if I forgot, could Tai? Can he forget what I did to him? Did that kiss affect him more negatively than I thought? He hoped not. They were both guys, so he knew a relationship between them wouldn’t work. So why did he feel like crying? Pulling out his harmonica, he went to play something but his mind could not comprehend the needed notes, so instead he rested his hands in his lap and hung his head.
A sneeze almost unseated him. “What?” he asked before a light clicked on in his head. “Oh, that’s right. I kissed him, so I probably caught whatever he has.” A second sneeze succeeded.

Finished with his soup, the brunette curled up into the couch. He closed his eyes in a vain attempt to fall asleep, but his mind could not get past one thought. “Matt seemed upset when he left,” he told the empty room, sitting back up. “I’ll go find him,” he determinedly announced, standing. He wobbled, his vision spinning, and fell back to the soft cushions. His second attempt had no more success.
Gabumon and Agumon looked at each other. That had watched the whole scene, from when Matt first got there until the musician finally left. They could not mask their disappointment that nothing had happened between their Digidestined except what looked like (by Matt’s expression as he left) another fight. “If what I say earlier today is right, Matt should be feeling bad right about now,” the blue-furred digimon whispered. “I had best go find him and bring him back to his place. Try and get Tai to relax.”
Agumon nodded, “Okay.” Then, the two parted in opposite directions.
Matt was in a coughing fit when Gabumon finally found him. “Matt, you don’t look too goof,” he said, placing an arm one of the human boy’s. “Come, lets get you home.”
“I thought you were… asleep at Tai’s,” Matt responded as his digimon helped him up.
“I woke up when you left and decided to follow you to make sure you’d be okay,” Gabumon explained. “Colds can be quite contagious.”
Matt had dropped his harmonica and, in the coughing fit, forgot to pick it up. So, as Gabumon stabilized his human partner and the two lumbered out of the decommissioned park, the harmonica lay in the dirt.
Unnoticed...
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The Cave