Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ This Time ❯ This Time ( One-Shot )

This Time...

By the Empress of the Eclipse

Disclaimer - I own no characters, nor Digimon. Would like to, but don't.

The pairings. Oh the pairings. JYMATO (not much but some), TAITO, TAKCHI and YAMASUKE. Yeah, I've written my Matt/Davis slash!!!!! Actually I can't believe that I've written Yamasuke, I don't even like Davis, he's a complete prick! Bah. And it's LEMON.

For anyone who hasn't understood this…

The pairings are Jymato (Joe and Matt), Taito (Tai and Matt), Takchi (TK and Tai) and Yamasuke (Matt and Davis). It is lemon meaning pretty descriptive sex scenes (but not too descriptive. I can't write it too descriptive, I feel stupid). So if you have a problem with any of this GO AND READ A DIFFERENT FIC!

It's a sequel to 'Spin Me Round'. It's a good idea to read that first but it doesn't really matter.

Ages - Joe's 18, Matt and Tai are 17 and TK and Davis are 14. Maybe a little young for some of this but never mind.

This version of Matt's band (Gendo Ikari, Akemi Nakatsuru, Toshiki Miyahara and Istu Katsuragi) were invented by ME and I don't give a toss if it's wrong. They are my OWN cannon and I don't need anyone else's! *grin*

I just want to say that I never meant this series to go this far! It's all the Black Goddess fault! Okay, I wrote 'In the Diner' and thought of a sequel but she encouraged me with ideas! I'm NEVER letting her read any of my fics before they're finished ever, ever again!

~~~

Matt sat, his head resting on his arm, staring moodily out of the window.

They'd been back in the real world for over a year now. Things had pretty much gone back to normal. School. Homework. Band practice for him. Not much had changed. Except that he and Tai were dating of course.

Matt sighed. He ought to be the happiest person around. He and Tai were dating and they loved each other. The people they'd told had all been very supportive and glad for them. Or in the case of his band, were cheering them on and laughing at them.

But Matt wasn't completely happy. For one very simple reason.

Tai still wouldn't go any further than making out.

Matt bit his lip. They'd been dating for over a year and had been best friends since before that. Tai knew how much Matt wanted more from their relationship, wanted to go beyond kissing and holding hands. But he wouldn't. Tai point-blank refused. And it was driving Matt crazy. He'd tried everything that he could think of to make Tai move onwards from romance (flowers, chocolates, candles and so on) to practically begging him. But Tai wouldn't budge. He wanted to be sure.

"Sure of what?" Matt kept on asking "You know that I love you and you love me. What's to be sure about?"

But Tai just wouldn't leave his stand-point. There was no way that he was going any further until he 'was sure.'

Matt groaned. Getting up from his chair, he went to lie on his bed, purposefully dragging his eyes from the homework that he was supposed to be doing.

Tai's refusal to go beyond kissing was driving Matt round the bend. He wanted more than that, wanted it desperately. Everytime he was with Tai he got so wound up and then Tai would draw back. He was just feeling so frustrated about the whole thing.

And he was getting tempted to stray again.

Matt bit his lip. When he and Tai had first got together, he'd already had sex once before. True, he'd been half-asleep at the time and thought it was Tai (fat chance). It had actually been Joe Kido, something that had made the two boys very uncomfortable with each other (Joe had been very much awake and knew that Matt thought he was Tai but hadn't cared). Despite this being a potential bad memory which could have led to negative conitations of sex, Matt had still wanted to repeat the experience with Tai. But Tai had refused solidly. Joe, who had been watching the two of them, had taken advantage of how frustrated Matt had been getting and the two had had several sexual encounters until Tai had walked in on them kissing. He'd broken up with Matt and Matt had been heart-broken. Tai had eventually agreed to give him another chance and Joe had backed off from Matt at about the same time meaning that it was easy to keep the promise that Matt had made - that he wouldn't stray again. This had all been in the Digital World, meaning that other people were harder to come by and it was more difficult to keep things secret. But here in the real world....

Matt tried to shake off the thoughts. He'd promised Tai that he wouldn't and he loved Tai, wanted to be with him.

But Tai didn't seem to return that feeling. And until they'd settled this, things weren't going to be smooth between them.

Matt buried his head in the pillow with a hiss of exasperation. Damn Taichi, why did he have to be so difficult?

* * * *

"Hey Matt, how're you doin'?"

Matt grinned and kissed Tai lightly. All his band wolf-whistled. Both boys were used to this and ignored them.

"Fine thanks," Matt said "For a moment there, I thought you were going to break our tradition of you arriving five minutes after the rehearsal ends but no - five minutes it is and here you are."

"Oh shut up," Tai said.

Matt grinned and picked up his guitar.

"See you guys tomorrow," he said the band.

"See you Matt!"

"Practise that song will you? You play it like you've got polish sausages taped to your fingers!"

"Don't do anything NC-17 rated with Taichi!"

'Fat chance' Matt thought moodily. But he waved cheerfully at the band, tucked his arm though Tai's and they walked off.

"How do you stand them?" Tai asked "They're all crazy!"

"They're fun," Matt said "They may be crazy but it's a laugh."

They were crazier than Tai knew. Matt knew the other four members of the band very well by now. Gendo, Akemi, Toshiki and Istu were all very much into the 'rock and roll' life-style. Matt had never told Tai exactly how much. He didn't think the brown haired boy would entirely approve.

"I still don't understand why they don't tell everyone about us," Tai said thoughtfully.

Matt raised an eyebrow.

"Because they're a band?" he suggested dryly "Sex, drugs and rock and roll?"

Plus Matt knew that the band knew that if they told anyone, Matt would tell all their secrets. And the band all had a lot of secrets.

Tai grinned.

"I'll believe you," he said. He pulled Matt slightly closer to him as they walked. Matt smiled happily, feeling warm and safe.

"You want to come back to my house?" he said "Dad's out, I'm getting dinner....?"

"Well with your cooking, how can I resist?" Tai laughed.

"Who said anything about cooking?" Matt said "I'm planning on exercising my index finger and dialling the pizza place!"

Tai laughed again as they walked back to the Ishida apartment. Matt ordered pizza and they fought over the last piece. Eventually, they both ate it at the same time, ending in a kiss. They curled up on the sofa, happily kissing each other. After a couple of minutes of this, Matt moved his hand from Tai's tangled hair and ran it lightly up and down his back. Tai shifted slightly but didn't pull away. Matt moved so he was sitting on Tai's lap and started kissing Tai's neck, keeping one hand on Tai's face but letting the other one drift lower. He felt Tai open his mouth and quickly moved back and kissed him before Tai could say anything. Tai pushed himself back with difficulty.

"Matt," he mumbled "Not so much..."

Matt tried not to wail with annoyance. He remained on Tai's lap and continued kissing him, keeping his hands on Tai's shoulders and trying to resist the impulses that were telling him to rip off all of Tai's clothes and fuck him senseless on the couch. His hands drifted lower again, seemingly out of his control. He reached the bottom of Tai's shirt and ran his hands under it, touching Tai's skin. Tai seemed to be okay with it but as Matt slid his hands further under the shirt, Tai jerked back suddenly.

"No," he said "No."

Matt pulled back, trying to bite back angry words. He got off Tai's lap and sat silently.

"Matt," Tai said "Don't be angry."

"I'm not angry," Matt snapped "Why should I be angry?"

"I know you want to go further," Tai said "I just....just can't. I want to wait."

"Why?" Matt asked "Why Tai? I love you more than anything and you say you love me. We've been dating for over a year, we've known each other for even longer. Why won't you go any further?"

"I just want to wait!" Tai said "Matt, why can't you understand?"

"I'm trying to!" Matt exploded. He leapt to his feet and began to pace up and down with frustration "I'm trying to understand you Tai! But I can't!"

Tai shook his head.

"I'm sorry Matt," he said, sounding miserable "I'm really, really sorry. But I can't go any further!"

Matt sighed. He sat down with a thump.

"Look Tai," he said "I know that you're nervous about going further. But we need to compromise."

"Compromise?" Tai repeated sounding nervous.

Matt sighed. He didn't want to say this but....

"Look," he said "I'm going crazy Tai. I want more than you're giving me."

"Huh?"

Tai was being to look slightly panicked. Matt swallowed.

"Tai, I love you," he said "You know I do. But I....I want to have more. I want more than kisses Tai."

"What are you saying?" Tai asked, his voice trembling.

"I'm getting tempted to stray," Matt said softly, not looking at Tai "I'm sorry Tai but I...I want to get more than just kisses."

"Like what Joe gave you?" Tai said. His voice was tearful but it still made a sneery sound when he said Joe's name.

"That's not it," Matt said quietly "This has nothing to do with Joe."

"So you want more than I can give you and you're looking to screw someone else?" Tai said "Oh that's just great. Really shows off what a lovely relationship we have!"

"Tai, I'm trying to explain!" Matt shouted furiously "I don't want to stray, that's why I'm telling you! We need to sort something out Tai!"

"If you love me, you'd wait!" Tai yelled.

Matt gave a snarl of frustration.

"Why the hell won't you listen to me?" he shouted "I'm trying to explain!"

"Yeah?" Tai said. He stood up "Well save your breath."

"Tai!"

Tai turned and stormed out. Matt groaned and ran his hands though his hair.

What the hell was he going to do now?

* * * *

TK was surprised when the doorbell rang. It was quite late. Curiously, he opened to door.

Tai was standing on the doorstep. His face was smeared with tears.

"Tai!"

"I'm sorry," Tai said, his voice trembling "I didn't know who else to go to, you know Matt best. I just....oh TK, I've done something stupid."

TK pulled Tai into the apartment. He closed the door and led Tai to the sofa.

"It's okay Tai," he said "What's wrong?"

Tai shuddered and ran his hands thought his messy hair. TK resisted the urge to run his own fingers though Tai's thick hair. He'd hoped that his crush on Tai would lessen with time. It had been a year since they'd kissed after Matt and Tai had broken up over the business with Joe. So far, neither TK or Tai had never mentioned the kiss to anyone. But TK had watched Matt and Tai with growing jealousy which he'd been struggling to control. More and more, he'd found himself feeling irrationally angry with Matt for being with Tai, for not letting Tai be with him. So far, he'd still kept this secret.

"It's Matt," Tai said tearfully "We've had a fight."

"What about?" TK asked gently, feeling another nasty spike of anger at Matt for upsetting Tai so much.

"We were kissing at his house," Tai said "And...and he wanted it to go further but I wouldn't....and then he just got angry and he said that he was thinking of going and sleeping with someone else because I wasn't enough!"

His voice went off into violent sobs. TK wrapped his arms round him, scowling as he thought about Matt. Why couldn't Matt just be happy with what he had?

"What am I going to do?" Tai sobbed.

"It's okay Tai," TK whispered "It's okay, it's okay. I'm sure that Matt didn't mean it, he was just frustrated that's all. Shhhhh."

Tai's sobs slowly stopped. He rested in TK's arms, breathing raggedly. TK gently stroked Tai's hair, still whispering gentle things to his friend. Tai suddenly snuggled closer to TK, his head resting on TK's shoulder. TK paused for a moment, then lightly brushed his lips against Tai's head. Tai uncertainly looked up at TK, his dark eyes meeting TK's blue ones. Then he leaned up and kissed him very gently. TK instantly responded, pulling Tai nearer to him and holding him gently in his arms. The two of them just sat there, kissing each other. TK knew that Tai didn't want to go further and didn't want to pressure him, was happy enough with this, he wouldn't upset Tai like Matt had....

Matt.

Crap.

Slowly, unhappily, TK drew back.

"No," he muttered "No."

Tai drew away as well. The two of them sat there, not looking at each other.

"I'm sorry," Tai mumbled "I know that wasn't....I didn't mean...."

"It's okay," TK said "It's okay."

They sat there, saying nothing. Tai ran his hands though his hair again.

"I really didn't mean....."

"It's okay Tai," TK said.

"I'd better go," Tai said standing up.

TK stood up too. As Tai moved towards the door, TK heard himself speak.

"You can come to me any time," he said "I won't pressure you."

He was slightly surprised at what he'd said. He hadn't meant to, it had slipped out. Tai continued towards the door. As he opened it, he spoke.

"I might."

Then he was gone.

* * * *

Matt sat sulking in the rehearsal room. He was supposed to be practising his guitar (polish sausages on his fingers indeed!) but he didn't want to. He was feeling lousy.

Had he and Tai broken up? And if not, where exactly did they stand? And what was going to happen? Matt had been serious, he was getting to the stage where nearly every guy seemed appealing.

"Uh oh, Yamato's looking depressed!"

"What did Yagami Lover-Boy do this time?"

"Or maybe it should be not do!"

Matt looked up startled. The rest of the band were peering at him and grinning.

"Keep it down will you?" he said "People might hear you!"

"Sorry," Gendo whispered, sotto voché.

"Didn't mean to," Akemi agreed.

They trooped in and closed the door. Then they all grinned cheerfully at Matt.

"Well? What did Lover-Boy do?"

"Don't call him that. We had a fight," Matt said tiredly.

"Let me guess," Gendo said "You wanted a shag, he said no?"

"Something like that," Matt said.

"It's so weird," Akemi said "I always figured that the point of being gay was that you got sex all the time."

"Thanks Akemi," Matt said, rolling his eyes "That's real helpful, especially coming from you, the teenage slut."

"I am not a teenage slut," Akemi said haughtily "I am a rock star!"

"No difference," Toshiki snickered.

Matt groaned and put his head in his hands. The band all looked at each other.

"So what happened?" Gendo asked, his voice going more sympathetic.

"Oh we just argued, I told him that I was thinking about straying, he got mad and stormed off," Matt explained.

The band looked at each other again.

"What did you tell him for?" Akemi asked curiously "Just go, grab one of your groupies and screw them senseless against a wall!"

"Oh thanks," Matt said "That was a really, really helpful idea."

"Look, everyone likes you!" Akemi said "You ask about the band, everyone's always going 'Ohhhhh, Matt Ishida'. They'd all love to be screwed again the wall!"

"Why don't you have the Joe?" Gendo asked "The one's that's always tagging around after you?"

"Okay, remember when I told you that Joe and I had sex, nearly split me and Tai up?" Matt said "Not going there again."

Gendo shrugged.

"Besides, he actually likes me," Matt said "It wouldn't be fair."

"Sometimes I don't think you understand being a rock star," Akemi said "It's supposed to be sex, drugs and rock and roll, remember?"

"Akemi, have you ever listened to yourself?" Matt asked curiously.

"I try to avoid it," Akemi said brightly. Matt rolled his eyes.

"Well you know Matt," Istu began "How about I just…?"

"NO!" Matt interupted very firmly "No, no, NO!"

Istu made a big show of being completely in love with Matt all of the time. Matt was never sure exactly how much of this was an act and how much of this was reality. However, it meant that Matt had to expent a lot of his energy fending off advances from the currently green haired boy.

"C'mon," Toshiki said "You'd better go find Yagami, quietly grovel."

"I'm not grovelling!" Matt said angrily "I was trying to make a compromise! I can't help it if I want more than Tai's giving me! I don't want to cheat on him but...."

"Hey! Is Matt Ishida in here?"

The band looked at each other.

"Jun Motomiya!" they all whispered.

Matt threw himself behind a double bass case.

"No!" Gendo called "He's not here right now! He's....."

He looked at the others helplessly. Gendo had many talents but lying fluently on short notice wasn't one of them.

"He's snogging Kudo Akako out on the back field!" Akemi yelled helpfully.

Matt threw a pile of music at him. The boys smothered giggles as the sheets scattered everywhere.

"WHAT! Akako! That SLUT!"

They heard Jun rushing away. Matt peered out.

"AKEMI! Couldn't you think of something better than that?"

"It was on the spur of the moment!" Akemi said "C'mon. Let's get out of here before she comes back!"

Matt shoved his guitar in his case and they fled, leaving music sheets scattered everywhere.

* * * *

At the end of band rehearsal that night (there was a gig approaching and they were practising as much as possible), the band could see that Matt was getting more and more jumpy. He was obviously worried that Tai wouldn't show up. They finally finished up and began to pack away, Matt frantically checking his watch every few seconds.

Exactly five minutes after the rehearsal had ended, the door opened and Tai looked in.

"Hello," he said quietly.

"Hey," Matt said.

There was an awkward pause.

"Okay. We get it," Gendo said dryly "We're gone."

The rest of them went, Akemi dragging Istu who seemed reluctant to leave. Tai came in more and the two of them looked at each other.

"I'm sorry," Tai blurted suddenly "I'm really sorry Matt. I didn't mean..."

"It's okay," Matt interrupted "Really Tai. It's okay."

Tai shivered.

"I'm sorry I can't do what you what," he said, his voice trembling "I'm sorry that I'm not able to go further. I'm s-sorry...."

He started to cry. Matt instantly stepped over and wrapped his arms round his boyfriend.

"Don't cry," he whispered "Don't cry, it's okay, it's okay..."

Tai started to cry harder. Matt just stood there, holding him. After Tai finally stopped crying, Matt picked up his guitar case.

"Let's go to my place," he said "I'll make some chicken stir-fry and we can talk. Okay?"

Tai nodded with a quavery smile. Matt wrapped an arm round him and they walked off together.

* * * *

Matt put his guitar in it's case, happily dancing up and down. He always suffered a massive adrenaline rush after a gig and this particular one had been better than normal.

"That was great!" Gendo whooped from behind him "Nice one gang!"

"Yeah, we did great!" Akemi said "We're just the best! Stardom here we come!"

"Aw shut up Akemi, you say that everytime!" Toshiki laughed.

"Anyone wanna get drunk in celebration?" Istu asked.

"I'm meeting Tai in one of the back rooms!" Matt said happily "We've agreed to compromise! Anyone want my guitar?"

"To keep?" Istu said hopefully.

"To look after 'till tomorrow you dope!" Matt said.

"I'll take it," Gendo laughed.

"It's not fair," Akemi grumbled "Matt always gets high after concerts without even taking anything!"

"Shut up Akemi!" Matt said. He went out to meet up with Tai. The band looked after him.

"So does anyone think that Tai's going to go any further than usual?" Gendo asked.

"No," everyone chorused.

"He's going to be all sexually frustrated again," Istu said happily "Maybe I'll wait."

Akemi rolled his eyes.

"Honestly Istu," he said "I may be a teenage slut but at least I don't stand and drool over you lot!"

"Except when you're drunk," Toshiki murmured.

"I'm telling you," Istu said "One day Matt will come back from a skirmish with Tai and be sexually frustrated enough to screw me!"

"In your sad little fantasy world where Matt is blind and stupid," Akemi said.

Everyone laughed.

"Come on," Gendo said "Let's go."

The band strolled out cheerfully, Toshiki pulling Istu, who was looking hopefully in the direction of the other rooms.

* * * *

Matt pushed Tai back and gleefully kissed him against the wall. Tai laughed.

"God Matt, you are so crazed after concerts!" he said dizzily, wrapping his arms round his boyfriend.

"Everyone says that," Matt said "Me personally, I don't see it."

He kissed Tai again, running his hands eagerly though Tai's hair. Tai let him, happily kissing him back. After a couple of minutes of kissing, Matt started to run his hands over Tai's chest. Tai stiffened a bit.

"Just relax," Matt murmured "Don't worry."

He began to undo Tai's shirt, lightly running his fingers over Tai's skin. Tai shivered a bit and continued kissing Matt. Matt pulled Tai's shirt fully off and let it drop to the floor. He started kissing down Tai's neck and shoulders, getting lower. Tai gritted his teeth. He'd agreed to this, he'd said he would, he had to just calm down....

"No!"

He jerked violently away from Matt, ducking to grab his shirt.

"Tai!" Matt said, his eyes filled with concern and irritation "What's....?"

"I can't do this," Tai said, shaking his head "I can't do this, I'm not ready...."

"You agreed!" Matt said, anger creeping into his voice.

"Well I've changed my mind!" Tai said "I'm sorry Matt. I just....I just can't do it."

He turned and fled. Matt stood in the practise room. His body was singing, he was going to go crazy.

"FUCK!" he exploded, kicking the nearest thing that came to hand - which happened to be a pile of chairs. Wincing in pain, he stalked out and walked out into the night air.

"Hey Matt!"

Matt stifled a groan. Not now!

Jun smiled at him. Matt noticed that Davis was standing with her.

"I thought we should wait for you, maybe walk you back home!" Jun said "I mean, you might have needed help with your guitar!"

"Gendo's got it," Matt said. His eyes kept straying back to Davis who was looking bored. Davis looked so much like Tai....

"Well, I'm quite happy to walk you home anyway!" Jun said "You were great you know! You're just the best player ever!"

"Well," Matt said thoughtfully "I'd love to walk back with you Jun but I've agreed to meet my band. It's kind of a 'guys alone' thing and they'll get so mad at me if you come."

"Oh," Jun said looking depressed.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow if you want," Matt said. Anything to get rid of her. "I'm going to be practising in the third practice room and you can come and listen if you like."

Jun smiled brightly.

"Okay! See ya!" she said "Come on Davis."

"Hey, is it okay if Davis follows you?" Matt said "There's something I need to say to him."

Jun paused and frowned.

"Okay," he said eventually "See you Matt."

Obviously the promise of a private concert had convinced her. She went off.

"Wow!" Davis said "You actually got rid of Jun! That's incredible!"

"Yeah," Matt said "C'mon."

"What?" Davis asked.

"I want to talk to you in the back room," Matt said.

Davis shrugged and followed him. A part of Matt was telling him what a bad idea this was but his adrenaline levels were soaring and he just didn't care anymore. He needed this, needed this now. They went into the back room Matt had been in earlier.

"What happened to the chairs?" Davis asked.

"Haven't a clue," Matt lied.

"So what's up?" Davis asked "If you want me to put rat poison in Jun's food then I can tell you for free that it doesn't work. I've tried."

Matt considered this briefly, then pushed it away. He looked at Davis.

"That wasn't what I wanted to talk about," he said.

"Then what's up?" Davis asked. He noticed that Matt looked a bit funny. His face was flushed and his eyes were glittering oddly.

"A lot," Matt said lightly.

He moved so fast that Davis didn't even register it until Matt was holding him against the wall. Before he could say anything or try to pull away, Matt was kissing him passionately, one hand holding Davis against the wall, the other travelling lightly over Davis's chest. Davis pulled back uncertainly.

"What are you doing?" he gasped "What the hell are you doing?"

"Even you aren't that stupid," Matt said, reaching up and stroking Davis's hair.

"I don't want...."

"Liar."

Matt kissed him again, his lips bruising on Davis's. Davis paused for a moment, not sure what to do. He'd never thought about Matt that way, didn't like guys that way....

Or did he?

He'd always thought that TK was cute for a guy who was trying to steal Kari and he'd always figured that Matt was a pretty cool guy and Matt's kisses did feel kinda nice....

"Matt....."

"C'mon Davis," Matt whispered "You know what you want."

Davis wasn't entirely certain that he did know what he wanted but this did feel very good and Matt would take care of him....

"Okay."

Matt kissed him and Davis wrapped his arms round Matt's firm body, pressing into him. Matt pushed him further back into the wall still kissing Davis. His hands were roaming all over Davis's body making Davis tingle. He could feel Matt's arousal though his pants and he knew that Matt must know how aroused that he himself was. Matt speedily undid Davis's pants and then his own. Then he spun Davis around.

"This might hurt," he breathed in Davis's ear "But don't worry....I'll take care of you."

He moved away slightly and then Davis heard the click of a pot opening. Then he quickly rubbed on some lubricant. Davis yelped slightly. Then Matt entered him.

"Ahh!"

"It's okay," Matt whispered "It's okay, it's okay. It lessens..."

Davis gulped. Despite the lubricant, it hurt a lot. Matt continued kissing his neck and his hair and ears until Davis relaxed slightly. Then he began to thrust into him, slowly at first but speeding up.

"Oh God!"

Davis had never ever felt anything like it, this was good, it felt so good but it hurt too....

Then Matt lightly caught hold of Davis's erection and squeezed gently, his hand warm. Davis moaned and twisted his head round to kiss Matt hungrily. Matt's lips met his and his tongue plunged inside Davis's mouth, exploring it. Davis felt Matt come violently inside him and came himself a few moments later. They stood together for a few moments, panting. Then Matt pulled up his pants and fastened them. Davis looked at him. Matt kissed him lightly.

"Not a word Davis," he whispered "Not a word. You want that again, you keep this a secret."

Then he walked out leaving Davis standing there, pants round his ankles, staring after him in absolute shock.

* * * *

Akemi was trying to find his science book in his locker when someone tapped him on the shoulder. Turning to speak to them, he banged his head on the shelf.

"Crap!"

"Sorry," the girl said nervously.

"Hey that's okay," Akemi said as easily as possible considering that his head was splitting in two.

The girl smiled. Akemi gave her the once-over. She wasn't so bad but she was a bit young for him.

"So what's up?" he asked "Or were you just fulfilling a fantasy where I get concussion?"

"No," the girl giggled "Istu Katsuragi told me to tell you that you were wanted in Practise room 3."

"Oh," Akemi said frowning "Why?"

The girl shrugged.

"I don't know. He just grabbed me and said "Hey, find Akemi Nakatsuru, there's something he really wants to be here for." So I came."

Akemi nodded.

"Right. Thanks," he said.

He slammed his locker and walked down to the third practise room. It had a sign saying 'Occupied' but there was no music. Akemi opened the door and peered in.

Matt was sitting on the double base case that resided in there, his head in his hands. Toshiki was sitting next to him, gently patting his friend's shoulder and wearing his patented 'thought' face. Gendo was sitting on the table, swinging his legs idly. Istu was leaning against the wall.

"What's happened this time?" Akemi asked.

"Hello," Gendo said "And the answer is; we don't know. Matt's not being very forthcoming."

"What did Tai do?" Akemi asked "Or not do." he added as a second thought.

"It wasn't Tai," Matt mumbled "It was me."

"Well? What happened?" Akemi asked, sitting next to Gendo.

Matt groaned.

"We were kissing in the back room," he said "And we were finally getting further when Tai got cold feet and ran off. So I went outside, filled with crazy adrenaline and hormones and Jun and Davis Motomiya were out there...."

"Oh man!" Akemi said "Tell me you didn't screw Jun Motomiya!"

"Akemi," Matt said "If it was a choice between screwing Jun Motomiya and being slowly eaten to death by a horde of crazy lemmings...."

"You'd pick screwing Jun," Istu said helpfully.

"Well yeah," Matt said "But anyway, I didn't screw her."

"So what happened?" Akemi asked.

"Well I got rid of Jun by promising to give her a private concert today," Matt said "And then I....I...."

"You didn't," Akemi said.

"I did," Matt said.

"You screwed Davis Motomiya!" Akemi shrieked.

"A little louder why don't you, there's a couple of people in the Antarctica who haven't heard you yet!" Matt hissed.

"He's only fourteen!" Akemi said.

"Akemi, you were screwing people at thirteen. Shut up," Gendo ordered.

"Davis Motomiya? You were that desperate?" Istu said.

Matt nodded.

"Damn, why didn't I stay behind last night?" Istu said crossly.

Matt groaned again.

"I didn't mean to!" he said "I was desperate and he looks so much like Tai...."

"Actually I think he's more like your pal Izzy myself," Akemi said.

Matt pressed his knuckles into his forehead.

"So what happened then?" Akemi asked.

"Well we screwed and then I sort of left and went home," Matt said.

"You left him?"

"With his pants round his ankles," Matt said.

"Now that's an image I never wanted to see," Akemi said.

"Did you like it?" Toshiki asked bluntly.

"Well, yeah," Matt said "I was going hormone-crazy, I'd have liked nearly anyone."

"Dude, you should have gone with a prostitute," Gendo said "That's what I always..... what I'd do if I were ever that desperate."

Everyone stared at Gendo for a few moments, then turned back to Matt, unspokenly agreeing to never, ever ask.

"Did he like it?" Toshiki asked.

"I think so," Matt said "I mean, he seemed happy enough...."

"Then it's simple," Toshiki said "You go, you find Davis, you make out with him and make him keep him mouth shut."

"I haven't even spoken to Tai since he ran out," Matt said "I don't even know if he even wants to know me anymore."

"Well, you should...." Gendo began the froze as someone knocked on the door.

"Matt? Are you in there Matt?"

"It's Jun!" Matt hissed "I can't give her a concert! Tell her I've got Athlete's Hand! Tell her I've superglued plump Polish sausages to my fingers! Tell her anything!"

"We have some obsession with sausages don't we?" Toshiki murmured.

"C'mon!" Gendo said "Drastic actions."

When Jun finally opened the door, she found no one in the music room. The only strange thing was that the window was opened very wide causing papers to flutter. She went over and closed it, wondering where Matt was.

* * * *

Davis sat in the toilets staring at himself in the mirror. According to everyone, he was looking 'spacey'. He thought he looked okay, especially considering the events of last night.....

He grimaced. What the hell had he been thinking of? One, Matt was going out with Tai. Two, Matt was a guy. Three it was generally not seen as a good thing to have sex with people against walls.

Even if it had felt good and nice and even if he had enjoyed it.....

Davis groaned. Tai was going to kill him. Kari was going to kill him. Jun was going to kill him if she ever found out.....

"Hello Davis."

Davis nearly had a heart attack. Despite the fact he was staring into the mirror, he'd managed to miss Matt walking into the room.

"M-Matt!" he yelped "Um, hi!"

"Hey," Matt said quietly "How're you?"

"I'm great!" Davis said, trying to sound chirpy "Great, uh huh, just terrific!"

Matt said nothing, just looked at him. Davis swallowed.

"What are you doing here?" he said "You don't even go to this school."

"No," Matt agreed "I came to talk to you."

"Oh," Davis said. He swallowed again.

"Matt," he said "Last night....."

"Yes?"

"It was....I mean.....we...."

"Didn't you enjoy it?" Matt asked.

"No!" Davis said "It was wrong! We're both guys, we're not supposed to do stuff like that!"

He tried to ignore that fact that he'd enjoyed what had happened. Matt was raising an eyebrow.

"You didn't seem to have a problem with it," he said, his voice very soft.

"Well.....you didn't give me a chance!" Davis said "And....and you're supposed to be with Tai anyway!"

Matt grimaced slightly.

"Tai's gonna be really mad at both of us!" Davis said.

"Tai's never going to know," Matt said.

"He will if I tell him!" Davis said.

Matt stepped closer to him.

"You aren't going to tell him Davis," he said quietly.

"I might," Davis said.

Matt shrugged. Stepping forward, he caught hold of Davis and kissed him very gently. Davis froze for a moment then half-heartedly struggled.

"No.......not supposed to......" he said faintly.

His body seemed to have taken charge of itself and he was leaning into Matt, pressing tightly against him. Matt wrapped his arms more securely round Davis and continued to kiss him lightly. Davis pressed back, eager for more. Matt abruptly turned them both round and pushed Davis into a cubicle. He locked the door, then went back to kissing Davis passionately. Davis let him, reaching up and running his hands though Matt's hair. Matt's hands were already getting lower and Davis yelped as Matt undid his trousers. Then Matt dropped onto his knees.

"What are you....." Davis began and then stopped as Matt leaned forward and he became all too aware of what Matt was doing.

"Ohgodohgodohgodohgodohgodohgod!" he yelped as Matt sucked.

Matt drew back slightly.

"Sh."

"Okay," Davis squeaked meekly. Anything so Matt didn't stop.

Matt continued to suck until Davis came into his mouth. Then he stood up. Davis pulled up his pants again, feeling a bit embarrassed. Matt sat on the toilet seat and pulled Davis down onto his lap. Davis was quite happy to be there and leaned against Matt, closing his eyes. Matt began to nibble lightly at his ear making Davis laugh.

"Davis," Matt whispered "You have to promise to keep this secret. From everybody you understand? Everyone."

"Okay," Davis agreed readily "Are we.....are we gonna do that again?"

"If you play your cards right," Matt murmured "I'll do a lot of things that you'll like."

"Okay then."

"Nobody?"

"I promise."

Matt kissed Davis on the cheek, then pushed him off his lap and stood up.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said before unlocking the toilet cubicle and walking out. Davis sat there blinking until the bell rang and he realised that he was late for class.

* * * *

TK sat in his lesson, not listening to his maths teacher at all. His mind was on Tai.

Tai had come over last night in tears. TK hadn't got anything out of him for ages but eventually he'd worked out that it was something to do with Matt and sex. TK had cuddled Tai and when he was calmer, they'd ended up kissing again. TK couldn't help feeling terribly guilty. He'd never meant to start this, never meant to hurt Matt....

Only was he hurting Matt? Matt was the one who was upsetting Tai. If it wasn't for Matt, Tai would never have even thought of coming to TK and talking to him, kissing him......

TK gulped and tried to change his line of thought back to maths. He noticed that Davis was looking as out of it as he felt. In fact, Davis looked worse. His hair was messy and he was staring at the blackboard with a strange glazed expression in his eyes. He suddenly turned and looked at TK, blushed bright red and turned away again. TK frowned. It ought to have been him who was blushing, not Davis. After all, he was the one staring.

"Motomiya Davis. Can you answer number five?"

TK looked at Davis who seemed completely unaware that the teacher had spoken.

"Motomiya Davis!"

"Earth to Davis!" someone yelled.

TK threw a pencil at Davis. It bounced off his head. Davis blinked.

"Huh? Oh......25?" he said.

"Correct," the teacher said "Now if you kindly stay awake and not rely on getting the answers from Yagami Hikari, perhaps you'll do better."

TK saw Kari blush slightly. Normally it would have made him jealous but considering that he'd been kissing her brother only last night, he didn't see that he had a right to be jealous.

TK sank back into his thoughts of Tai and tried to work out how to solve the mess he was in.

* * * *

Tai swallowed. He could see Matt talking to the band. He needed to talk to Matt. But did he dare go over?

As he stood there uncertainly, Toshiki looked up and met his eyes. He then bend down and poked Matt in the head. Matt swatted at him and Toshiki pointed. Matt bit his lip and swallowed. Then he walked over.

"Hey," he said.

"Hey," Tai said.

There was a pause. The two boys looked at each other awkwardly.

"We need to talk," Tai said eventually "Is there anywhere private we can go?"

"The back of Gendo's van," Matt said "C'mon."

They walked back over to the band.

"Gendo, can we borrow your van?" Matt asked.

"You are not joy-riding anywhere," Gendo said promptly.

"Oh, like you have a license!" Matt said crossly "I don't want to drive you prat. I just want to talk to Tai in the back of it."

He and the rest of the band then all chorused in unison "Head OUT of the gutter Akemi!"

"You think you know me," Akemi said.

"Unfortunately, we do," Istu said.

"Yeah," Akemi agreed.

Gendo handed the keys to Matt.

"Just remember, if anyone asks, it's not mine, it's my sisters and you've never met me," he said.

Matt nodded and led Tai off.

"What was that about?" Tai asked.

"Gendo's not allowed to own a van," Matt said "He hasn't passed his driving test yet and his parents hate it anyway. But his sister lives away from home and she got it for him. So Gendo says it's hers and drives carefully."

Tai could see why Gendo's parents didn't like the van. It was painted an eye-smarting shade of orange with blue stars on it. Matt unlocked the back and they climbed in. It was very spacious there. The floor was covered with rugs and pillows and the sides were covered in posters. There were also photographs stuck up, of the band and some people that Tai didn't know. In the centre was a picture of a small girl, about five or six. Tai wondered who she was. Matt closed the doors and turned on the light. Then the two boys just looked at each other.

"Want anything to eat or drink?" Matt asked "Gendo doesn't mind as long as you leave some money."

Tai frowned as Matt opened a large box filled with stuff. Matt saw it and guessed what the frown was for.

"Gendo comes in here to escape his family's fights," he said "He always keeps the place well stocked. Want anything?"

Tai shook his head. Matt took out a coke, dropped some money into the box and downed the coke quickly. Then they went back to staring at each other.

"We need to talk," Tai said eventually.

"Yeah," Matt said.

Silence. Tai continued focusing on the little girl on the photograph.

"You were the one who wanted to talk," Matt said eventually.

"I know," Tai said. He turned his face away from Matt "Matt, I have to explain."

"Go on."

Tai swallowed painfully.

"When I was very little, Kari and I used to go and stay.....with a friend of my parents," he said "He was always very nice to us. But then he split from his wife. Afterwards he was....funny."

"So...did he....?"

Tai knew what Matt meant.

"No! God! It was never like that. It was just......He used to tell Kari and me stuff," Tai said "Stuff I never wanted to know. About....about sex. How painful and violatery it was. How it was evil."

Matt said nothing. Tai still didn't look at his boyfriend.

"I didn't even know what sex was. I was only six. But I knew that he wasn't supposed to tell us stuff like this. I used to try and keep Kari away. But I had to listen. I got more and more scared. He kept telling me things that I never wanted to know.

Then one day he took me into the bathroom. He sat me on the toilet and then had a bath. He scrubbed himself all over, telling me that sex was a dirty horrible thing. Then he got out, got dressed and....and took all the pills....in....in the medicine cabinet."

Tai could feel his voice cracking. He could still remember this.

"I didn't understand. He told me that sex made him do it, that I should never fall into the trap. Then he just....just lay down. And it was....it was so....oh God...."

Tai could feel tears on his face. He could still see exactly what had happened in his

minds-eye.

"I guess I never really shook it off," he said "I was always scared of sex. And even when I got older and knew that it wasn't really like that I couldn't help being scared. I guess that makes me stupid but...."

His voice trailed off and he started cry properly. After a moment, Matt moved over and wrapped his arms round Tai's shoulders. Tai leaned into him, still sobbing.

"Why didn't you say earlier?" Matt whispered "I'd never have pressured you if I'd known about this."

"I've never told anybody," Tai sobbed "Nobody. And I was just hoping that it would go away! And I thought you would leave me because I couldn't give you what you wanted and I just didn't know what to do!"

Matt just held Tai as Tai kept sobbing bitterly. He sat stroking Tai's hair, carefully keeping all thoughts of Davis out of his mind. Slowly, Tai's sobs stopped.

"Are you feeling better now?" Matt asked.

Tai nodded.

"Tai," Matt said "You know that I love you more than anything. And you know that I'd never ever hurt you."

He couldn't help grimacing after he'd said that. It wasn't true after all. He'd hurt Tai with Joe and was now hurting him with Davis. But he banished the thoughts quickly.

"If I'd known about this, you know I wouldn't have even tried to make you do anything," he said "It's okay Tai. We can go at your pace."

"But what about you?" Tai asked "What about your needs? You're right, it's selfish of me to keep holding back...."

"Sh," Matt said firmly "It doesn't matter about me."

He held Tai gently in his arms. It didn't matter about him. Until Tai was ready, he had Davis.

And when Tai was ready....well, Matt would just have to cross that bridge later.

* * * *

Davis waited until he was sure that Jun wasn't around. Then he phoned Matt.

"Hello."

"Hey Matt, it's me," Davis said "Um, everyone's going out round here and I was wondering if you wanted to come over?"

There was a pause. Davis swallowed. He and Matt had been meeting secretly for weeks now but this was the first time that Davis had made the first move. He wasn't sure how Matt would take it.

"You're sure Jun isn't going to be around?"

"She's going to stay at a friends," Davis said "And Mum and Dad are going to be at a dinner party. C'mon, it'll be okay."

"Sure then. I'll see you soon."

"Okay!" Davis said.

He put the phone down and sat beside it, frowning. He knew, deep down anyway, that Matt saw him as a convenience, someone who could help Matt get rid of any tension that he acquired after spending time with Tai. He knew that Matt didn't love him or even care for him especially. Davis had tried to keep this in mind when spending time with Matt. At first he'd simply felt ashamed.

But now.....now he wasn't sure what he felt. It wasn't anything like what he felt for Kari or any of the other girls that he'd thought were pretty cute. It different. But he got chills whenever he thought about Matt, couldn't help thinking about the things they did together. He wasn't sure what it all meant. But it was confusing and he didn't really like it much.

"Okay Davis I'm gone," Jun said snatching up her bag "I'm glad to see that I won't be seeing your face until tomorrow."

"Thank God for that," Davis snapped.

Jun sniffed and swept out. Davis sat, waiting for Matt to arrive. Eventually the doorbell rang. He ran to answer it.

"Hey," Matt said, smiling at him.

"Hi," Davis said "Come on in."

Matt walked in. They went and sat on the sofa. Davis just sat there uncertain.

"So did you just invite me over because you felt like it or was there another reason?" Matt asked, his voice slightly teasing.

"Well I figured we could just sit here in embarrassed silence until one of us cracks," Davis said brightly.

"You sound like one of my band members," Matt said.

"Knowing the rumours about your band, I don't know if that's flattering," Davis said.

"Call it a half-compliment," Matt said. Reaching out he pulled Davis closer "Then forget it."

He kissed Davis gently. Davis happily leaned into him and kissed back. The two of them fell back against the couch arms round each other.

* * * *

Jun scowled and started rummaging in her bag for her key. It was just typical. She got nearly all the way to her friends house and then remembered that she'd forgotten her night-dress. Her keys were proving difficult but she eventually dug them up and carefully unlocked the door. She opened her mouth to yell to Davis but then stopped. She could hear something strange.....

Jun walked slowly over to the living room and pushed the door ajar and peered though, wondering what was happening.

The room was dark but she could see two figures lying on the couch. One had to be Davis. The other.....Jun couldn't make out the features. But what they were doing was all too clear.

"Matt....."

Jun's jaw hit the floor as she heard her brother's moan. Matt. Matt Ishida?

"Matt, please!"

One of the figures drew back slightly. His golden-blonde hair shone in the light and Jun knew that it was him. His naked body was glistening with sweat and he was smiling teasingly down at Davis. Her brother reached up to pull him back down to him.

Jun turned and fled.

* * * *

Kari (unaware that she was mirroring Jun's actions almost exactly) clawed though her bag for her key. She'd been over at a friend's but it was now time to leave. If she could just find her damn keys....

Kari dragged them out and unlocked the door carefully. She pushed it open and walked inside.

She could see Tai on the sofa. He was kissing someone passionately and obviously hadn't heard her. Kari saw the gold-blonde hair and grinned guessing that Matt had paid them a visit. She opened her mouth and then paused. The hair looked wrong. Was that.....?

Kari's mouth fell open. Slowly she backed up and went outside again. Shoving her keys back in her bag, she rang the doorbell. Tai opened in a second later.

"Hey Kari," he said, sounding a little strained "TK's here."

"Great," Kari said, trying to keep any chills from her voice.

TK grinned at her from the couch.

"What're you doing here?" Kari asked.

"Oh I came to ask Tai for help about something," TK said.

"What's up with Matt?" Kari asked.

"Well it....it was kinda about Matt," TK said, looking a bit panicked "And I couldn't really ask him about it."

"Do I get to find out about the mystery?" Kari asked.

"Nope," TK said, blushing "Guy stuff."

Kari nodded. TK scrambled up.

"Anyway, I gotta go," he said "See you Kari. Thanks Tai....for the help."

He turned and left. Tai grinned at Kari.

"Isn't it sweet?" he said "TK coming to me for help. It's always nice to know that.....OW!"

Kari turned and slapped him across the face.

"What was that for?" Tai yelped.

"What the HELL are you playing at?" Kari yelled "I saw you! You were kissing him!"

"Oh shit," Tai said. He sat down with a thump. Kari glared at him.

"What are you doing Tai?" she demanded "You say you love Matt...."

"I do!" Tai said hoarsely.

"...and you start cheating with his brother? What the hell is with you?"

Tai ran his hands thought his hair. He didn't look at Kari.

"I don't know," he said "I don't know. Okay? It's just.....I needed someone....someone who wouldn't pressure me! I know that I'm not giving Matt what he wants. I just....just needed no pressure."

"So go someone else!" Kari said "You don't use TK! When did this start?"

"You remember that time we caught Joe and Matt kissing in that Shianmon's lair?"

"Yeah. Since THEN!"

"Well, no. We kissed once, then nothing else happened cause I called him Matt."

Kari groaned.

"But after me and Matt started to have troubles....I guess I went to TK. I never meant for this to happen!"

Kari sighed.

"It's not up to me to led your life," she said "That's up to you. And I won't tell anyone about this. But I would seriously advise dropping TK. Or Matt if you want. But God, don't play with their feelings. From what you've told me that's what Matt was doing - possibly inadvertently but he was - with Joe and see how that backfired."

Tai nodded.

"Okay. Thanks Kari."

Kari shrugged.

"No problem."

"Guess you'll have to date Davis now huh?" Tai joked weakly.

Kari laughed. Then frowned.

"Actually it's weird," she said "Davis has been acting a bit odd lately. He actually lets me talk to other boys without exploding. In fact he's been a bit odd generally. I hope nothing's wrong."

"Wow Kari," Tai said "He might actually be getting over you! I'm scared!"

Kari laughed too and went to dump her stuff in the bedroom.

* * * *

Matt walked out of Davis's apartment and down the street. It was late but not very late. He'd walked home later...

"Matt."

"Gah!"

Matt nearly jumped out of his skin.

"Jesus Joe!" he hissed "Are you trying to kill me here?"

"Sorry," Joe said, coming out of the shadows. Matt glared at him. Joe looked quietly back.

"What are you doing out here?" Matt asked, slightly nervously.

Joe said nothing. Matt nearly groaned. Since they'd returned to the real world. Joe had been following him - well, not exactly following him, more keeping nearby in care Matt ever wanted him. Matt didn't really mind, he had so many groupies that people never really distinguished Joe from the others.

Only at times like this, it could really be a pain.

"Okay, I'm leaving now," Matt said.

"You're sleeping with him aren't you?" Joe said.

Matt paused. He wasn't sure what to say.

"Are you jealous?" he heard himself blurt.

"Maybe," Joe said harshly.

Matt paused. Joe spoke again.

"Why him Matt? What can he give you that I can't?"

Matt swallowed. Then he grabbed Joe's wrist.

"C'mon."

"What?"

"We need to talk," Matt said "There's a place I know where we can talk in private. Are you due back anytime soon?"

"No," Joe said, letting Matt pull him.

"Good," Matt said.

He and Joe walked down to the park together. It was closed but Matt led Joe to where the wire fence had split so you could squeeze though.

"This is illegal," Joe said.

"So are a lot of things my band do," Matt said "Are you coming?"

Joe paused, then followed. Matt led him carefully round the other groups of teenagers that were already there to a clump of bushes near some trees. He kicked one of the trees in the dark and swore before leading Joe into the centre of a clump of bushes.

"My band sometimes come here," Matt explained as Joe wriggled though.

Joe looked around. Then he looked at Matt. Before Matt could do anything, Joe had caught hold of him and kissed him hard. Matt instinctively wrapped his arms round Joe and let Joe hold him close. But he pulled away.

"Joe," he said "When I say talk, I mean talk."

"Then hurry up," Joe said. He didn't let Matt go, just held him, gently stroking his back.

"Joe," Matt said gently "I know that you still want me. It's been hard to miss. Harder still now you're holding me."

Joe blushed a bit. Matt smiled.

"And I know you're sore that I'm sleeping with Davis, rather than coming back to you."

Joe shrugged. Matt continued.

"There's a simple reason I didn't use you," he said "I know that you love me. Or you just like me a lot. But whichever it is, it wouldn't be fair. Joe, you're my friend. You deserve someone who can give themselves to you back, someone who can love you fully. I can never do that. I love Tai."

"Funny way of showing it," Joe muttered.

"I know," Matt said "Things are....complicated. But I can't love you the way you deserve to be loved. And I don't want to play with you."

Joe looked at him for a moment. Then he kissed Matt very gently. Matt didn't try to pull away and Joe let him go.

"See you around Matt," he said quietly "Thanks."

Matt grinned.

"Anytime."

Joe left. Matt stared after him for a moment.

"Wow Matt. You actually sounded wise there!"

Matt turned and glared at the band members who were peering at him from behind some bushes.

"Why did I know that it was too much to hope for that you weren't here?" he said.

"You just know us," Akemi said "I can't believe you turned him down! Why?"

"Because I'm not a teenage slut?" Matt suggested.

Akemi gave a squeak and began trying to disentangle himself from the bush.

"See you lot later," Matt said "Mention this to anyone...."

"Secret forever," Toshiki said "Oh stop it Akemi, you're going to tear your....too late."

Matt left as Akemi bemoaned the state of his trousers.

* * * *

Matt was standing at his locker when he noticed that he was getting lots of funny looks. Some were slightly amused but some were pretty hostile. He frowned, wondering what was up. Spotting Jun making her way towards him, he quickly shoved everything back into his locker and tried to make a speedy escape. But she caught up with him by the water fountain.

Then Matt got a shock. Jun smacked him across the face.

"Ow! What was that for?" Matt yelled.

"You know what!" Jun said.

Matt glared at her. Maybe Jun was reacting, practically a month too late about the private concert he'd promised her and not delivered.

"I haven't a clue why you're assaulting me," he said.

"Oh you'd know about that?" Jun said hotly.

"Jun have you been taking something?" Matt asked, uncomfortably aware of other people who were pretending not to watch them but all were.

"I saw you!"

"Saw me....?"

A horrible suspicion suddenly entered Matt's mind. Jun couldn't have....

"Last night. With Davis."

Matt stared silently at her. He could feel the blood draining from his face. Davis....oh God, Jun had seen him with Davis. Jun was still glaring at him. The entire hall was deadly quiet. Nearly everyone else was watching for his response.

Naturally, Matt did what any self-respecting person would do.

Turning, he ran as fast as he could and locked himself into one of the music rooms.

* * * *

Akemi was walking down the hall when someone ran into him, knocking him and all his books flying. One of them hit him squarely on the head.

"Crap!" he yelled and sat up. Then he recognised the girl. She'd been the one to fetch him when Matt had been suffering in the music rooms after the concert and he'd banged his head on the locker shelf.

"You again! You do have a fantasy where I get brained a lot don't you?"

The girl laughed.

"Actually," she said "Istu's sent for you again."

Akemi began gathering his stuff up.

"Where this time?"

"The third practise room again. Only this time they were all outside it. I think Matt Ishida's locked himself in there."

Akemi blinked. Nodding thanks to the girl, he began traipsing over.

He was stopped by a group of girls.

"Is it true?"

"Is what true?" Akemi asked.

"Is it true that Matt Ishida has been sleeping with Davis Motomiya?"

Akemi froze.

Oh Dear Lord.

"Haven't a clue," he said breezily before continuing (slightly more hurriedly) on his way.

He arrived at the practise room and found them all outside it.

"Hi Akemi," Toshiki said "Matt's locked us all out. Istu's gone round to try and get though the window. We're trying to get Matt to open the door.

"He'd better," Gendo grumbled "My lunch is in there."

"Matt," Akemi said tapping "C'mon Matt, open up. It's just your favourite neighbourhood band."

"Fuck off."

Akemi blinked.

"Hey, we're on your side," he said "Come on Matt, let us in."

The bell rang.

"Oh man," Gendo said "If I miss Chemistry, I'm dead meat."

"I'm supposed to be in gym," Toshiki said. He frowned "Matt, let us in. I'd rather talk to you than do gym."

There was a bang. Then the door was opened by Istu who looked a bit dishevelled.

"Next time it's your turn to climb though the window," he said.

"Whose?"

"Anyones."

They went into the practise room and Gendo locked the door again. Matt was sitting in one corner, as hunched up as it was possible to be. He'd obviously been crying.

"Hey Matt, it's gonna be okay," Akemi said.

"I still don't know what's going on," Istu grumbled.

"Everyone's found out about Davis Motomiya," Akemi said.

Istu's eyes got big.

"Woah. You're kidding," he said "How can you say it's gonna be okay? There's no way it's gonna be okay!"

"ISTU!" everyone shouted. Istu subsided.

"He's right," Matt said bitterly "This isn't just an embarrassment guys. I could get in trouble for this."

"Oh come on," Akemi said "It's not that...."

"He's only fourteen!" Matt said "He's too young! What I've done is illegal. I could get expelled for this. I could get prosecuted for this!"

"Good point," Akemi said.

Matt buried his head in his arm which rested on his knees.

"Tai," he whispered "What's Tai going to do to me?"

The band looked at each other.

"Um, I don't know," Akemi said "I don't do relationships. That's not my job."

"He'll never forgive me for this," Matt said. He was crying again "I mean, I was lucky he forgave me for this the first time with Joe. He'll never let me off about this!"

"Oh come on," Akemi said "Tai loves you - probably - or at least he did love you...."

"Akemi," Toshiki said "Not helping."

Akemi fell silent obediently. Toshiki looked at Matt.

"I'm just so stupid," Matt said "I mean, after the first time, I should have twigged that sex is bad."

"Sex is bad!" Akemi said, shocked out of silence "No way dude!"

"Akemi," Toshiki said.

"Oh yeah, right. Silence."

"Good boy," Toshiki said. He looked at Matt.

"I thought you were asleep the first time?" Gendo said.

Matt shook his head.

"I was at first," he said "But.....but I woke up when Joe entered me. I was still half-out of it. I didn't realise....I thought it was Tai."

His shoulders shook in another sob.

"And then when I realised it was Joe afterwards I felt awful, like I'd betrayed Tai even thought I wasn't even dating him then. And then me and Tai were together and I started cheating on him......"

"And then he found out," Toshiki said.

Matt nodded.

"Yeah. And even thought he agreed to give it another shot, every time I even spoke to Joe he got mad or upset or both. I was bending over backwards to make it work. And then we.... well, to cut a long story short, we were doing okay. And then I just started wanting more and now I've spoiled everything!"

His voice trailed off into a wail and he started crying again. Toshiki moved over and put an arm round his friend.

Someone knocked at the door.

"Is Ishida Yamato in here?"

It was the principal and he sounded mad. Matt looked up, panicking.

"No!" he mouthed.

"No sir!" Gendo called quickly.

The principal tried the door. Matt was looking really scared by this time.

"May I come in please?"

"Sure, just a moment!"

Moving quickly, Gendo and Akemi grabbed Matt. They dragged him over to the window and hoisted him up.

"Here, hide in the van," Gendo said, shoving the keys into Matt's hand. Matt nodded and quickly wriggled though the window. As he dropped out, Toshiki opened the door.

Matt landed heavily in the bin that was outside the window. He scrambled up, thinking not for the first time that it was a good thing that the school put most rubbish in bin-bags. Climbing out of the bin, he looked around miserably. Then he slowly went to the van.

* * * *

"How d'you reckon he is?" Akemi asked.

Gendo shrugged. It was lunch time and the band were going to visit Matt in the van where he'd been hiding.

"Probably wallowing in self-pity," Istu said "Maybe he'd like to cry on my shoulder..."

"Istu!"

"Okay, maybe not."

Gendo opened the van.

"Matt?"

Matt looked up at them. He was sprawled on the cushions surrounded by empty beer cans and he was obviously very, very drunk.

"Hello," he said, taking another gulp of beer.

"Shit Matt how much have you had?" Gendo said, staring at the cans that littered the place.

Matt looked hazily round at the cans.

"Well, I tried counting them at first but then I forgot what comes after ten," he said.

"Eleven," Toshiki said.

"Wow!" Matt said, giving Toshiki an impressed look "You should really consider going to a special school for geniuses."

"And the really scary thing is that he's not being sarcastic," Toshiki said.

"Aw man!" Istu said "Matt, you are absolutely thrashed!"

"That," Matt said "Would explain the slurred speech."

"What do we do?" Akemi asked "He can't go to any of his lessons like this unless he wants to get expelled on the spot!"

"They'll probably do that anyway," Matt said, sounding depressed "After what they've heard about Davis."

"They haven't heard about Davis," Gendo said "The principal just wanted to know why you were skipping class. He knew you were in, he'd already seen you."

"Yippee," Matt said. He finished his can, threw it into a corner and reached for another.

"I think that's enough," Toshiki said "Gendo, he'll have to go home."

"Don't want to," Matt said. He sniffed.

"Oh no, he's going to cry drunkenly," Akemi said "I'm off."

Gendo and Toshiki both grabbed him before he could run.

"We might need you," Gendo said.

"This," Matt announced "Is all Davis's fault."

"How do you work that out?" Gendo asked.

"Logic," Matt said.

"Your logic does not resemble our Earth logic then," Gendo said.

"Logic merely enables you to be wrong with authority," Matt said sounding intelligent.

The band looked at each other. They were used to getting drunk but they'd never seen Matt this drunk before.

"Yeah," Gendo said "Okay Matt, maybe you should just have a rest now. Toshiki, go and get some cold water. We'd better try and sober him up."

Matt stood up.

"I'll go," he said.

"No you won't," Gendo said pushing him back down. Toshiki ran off. He returned in a few minutes with a water jug he'd 'borrowed' from the canteen. Gendo emptied it over Matt's head.

"I don't think that really works," Akemi said.

"It's messed up his hair," Istu said.

"Thanks," Gendo said.

Matt sighed and sat down.

"I may kill Davis," he said, sounding quite happy about it.

"Yeah, you do that," Gendo said "After you have a nice long nap."

He pushed Matt back into the van.

"More beer?" Matt asked hopefully "I'm still coherent."

"Matt, what exactly are you planning to do?" Akemi asked.

"Drink and keep drinking until all the pain goes away," Matt said.

"Look, just stay in the van," Gendo said "And if you do leave, you didn't get this beer from the van."

"Okay," Matt said. He opened another can of beer.

"There's nothing else we can do," Gendo said "He's chosen to drown his sorrows. If I miss Maths next period, I'll get a letter home. I think my Dad'd string me up. None of you lot can drive and there's no way of getting home by himself. So he'll have to stay here."

The band went off their separate ways, hoping that Matt would just stay in the van.

* * * *

Davis sat in English, happily day-dreaming through it. He could see Kari was in a half-doze state too and TK was asleep.

'Come on bell' Davis thought 'Ring damn you, ring!'

The bell rang. Everyone leapt up. Davis shoved everything in his bag as Kari poked TK awake and went to the door, determined to be the first to escape this hell-hole. He opened the door, walked out into the corridor -

- and was grabbed by the collar and thrown smack into the nearby lockers.

"What the hell?!"

Davis looked at his attacker. Then he really looked.

It was Matt.

"Matt?"

Before he could say anything else. Matt had grabbed him and was holding him against the lockers. Everyone was staring at them open-mouthed.

"You little idiot!" Matt screamed "You fool! This is all your fault you wretched little shithead! You said she wasn't in! You said she wasn't IN!"

"Matt, what the hell are you....OW!"

Matt punched him. Hard. Davis saw stars. He frantically struggled, trying to get Matt off him. Matt punched him again.

"Matt, what are you doing?" he heard TK yell "Matt, stop!"

"You've spoilt everything!" Matt yelled "You've ruined everything you stupid little moron! Fuck you! Fuck YOU!"

TK grabbed his brother's arms, trying to pull him off Davis. Kari rushed up to help him as Matt hit Davis again. Davis kicked and fought back. It was becoming clear to him that Matt was obviously completely and utterly drunk. However he was incredibly strong and Davis's head was starting to spin.

"Matt, stop it! You're hurting him! OW!" TK yelped as Matt shoved him away and he fell over "That hurt!"

Instantly, Matt let Davis go.

"TK? I....I hurt you? I'm sorry!" he wailed and burst into tears. Loudly.

"Quick!" Davis said to Kari "If we run, we can pretend we never met him!"

"I think we'd better get him home," TK said "Matt, what have you been drinking?"

"It wasn't beer and I didn't get it from Gendo's van," Matt said, hiccoughing pitifully.

"Oh dear God," Davis mumbled. He was dripping blood from the nose and he could barely see out of his right eye. He could see well enough to be able to see that everyone was staring at them.

"Come on!" Kari ordered. She grabbed Matt under one arm, TK grabbed him under the other and they all rushed out of the school, Davis following.

"We'll have to take him home," Kari said "He's probably incapable of getting there by himself."

"Right. Come on Matt," TK said.

"I'll just go...." Davis said, trying to sidle away. Matt swiped at him.

"You promised she wasn't in," he said pitifully "You promised she wasn't in."

"Matt, I haven't a clue what you are on about," Davis said.

"Jun! Jun knows!" Matt yelled "Jun's told everyone what we were doing!"

"What?" Davis whispered "Oh man. Tell me this isn't happening."

"What you were doing?" Kari said.

"Davis 'un me were screwing," Matt said thickly "And now Jun knows and she's told everyone and I'm in so much trouble....!"

His voice disintegrated into wails again. TK uncertainly patted his brother on the back, gaping at Davis. Davis slowly turned redder and redder. Kari was slowly looking from him to Matt to TK, then back again.

"You were having sex with Davis," Kari said eventually.

Matt nodded tearfully. He buried his head in TK's shoulder.

"Tai's gonna kill me!" he wailed "Tai's never gonna speak to me again! Tai's gonna hate me!"

Kari sighed.

"Davis," she said "Go and phone Gendo Ikari and tell him that we need him to drive Matt home. Tell him where we are. Here's the money."

Davis ran off, obviously only too glad to escape. Kari sighed. What was she going to do?

"Tai's gonna hate me!" Matt wailed again.

Kari sighed. The problem really was, that Tai didn't know. He was off school with a bad cold. This meant that Kari was going to have to tell him the bad news.

On the other hand, Tai had been kissing TK. So obviously there was something badly wrong with this relationship. She sighed.

"Don't cry Matt," she said, kneeling down next to him and TK "Please don't cry. I know it doesn't look like it but it's all going to be okay. I promise."

"What am I going to do about Tai?" Matt sobbed "He'll hate me, he'll hate me!"

Kari glared at TK who looked confusedly back at her. Kari just shook her head and gently stroked Matt's hair. Davis arrived back looking pathetic. A few moments later, Gendo drove up.

"Good grief!" he said, looking impressed "Matt, you are just so hammered! What part of 'Stay in the van' did you misunderstand?"

Matt opened his mouth to reply, looking confused and passed out. Gendo grabbed him and hauled him bodily into the van.

"Want lifts?" he asked "It'll smell awful in there because of all the beer but you might as well get something out of this. The beautiful lady can ride in the front with me. Takeru, you need to look after your brother. Davis, you need to reflect on keeping things secret."

Kari scrambled into the front while Davis and TK hopped into the back. They started off. Kari looked at Gendo.

"How long have you known about Davis and Matt?" she asked.

"You're Tai's sister aren't you?" Gendo said.

"Yes."

Gendo sighed.

"Know how he feels yet?"

"He wasn't in school," Kari said "He was off sick. Which means I get to tell him."

"Couldn't you just let Matt do it?" Gendo asked hopefully.

"Someone else might get there first," Kari pointed out "Especially as we need to let Matt sober up. What on Earth did you give him beer for?"

"I didn't. There was just some in the van," Gendo said.

Kari sighed. She looked at the dashboard. There was a picture of a small blonde girl on it.

"Who's she?" Kari asked, wanting to change the subject.

Gendo swallowed. Glancing at his face, Kari saw that his profile was stiff.

"She was my twin sister. She died," he said shortly.

Kari bit her lip.

"Sorry."

"No big," Gendo said calmly "So what're you going to tell Tai?"

Kari shrugged.

"Not sure," she said "I'm not looking forward to it, that's for sure."

"No," Gendo said "Ah, here's Matt's house."

TK agreed to stay and look after Matt. Gendo calmly gave him instructions of all the things you should and shouldn't do when someone was drunk. Kari personally thought that telling TK not to let Matt smoke weed was a bit pointless. As if TK had any weed. Gendo then drove Davis back and then drove Kari home.

"See you Kari," he said "Good luck with Tai."

Kari nodded.

"Bye Gendo," she said.

She walked mournfully up. Tai was sprawled on the couch.

"Hey Kari," he said "What's up?"

"Nothing much," Kari said.

"You're late," Tai said.

"Yeah," Kari said "Um, we got held up. I found out what's been bothering Davis."

"Really?" Tai said.

"He's got a boyfriend."

"Wow!" Tai said "No! You are kidding me!"

Kari shook her head. Tai laughed.

"So what happened?"

"Well it turned out that his boyfriend already has a boyfriend and Davis was a bit on the side," Kari said "And Jun saw him and Davis together and she got mad because she has this massive, great, humungous crush on his boyfriend so she told everybody in school and then Davis's boyfriend came to beat him up...."

She looked hopefully at Tai to see if Tai had got it. Tai looked pretty blank.

"So me and TK pulled him off Davis and got Gendo Ikari to take him home," she said hopefully.

Nothing.

"Oh for Heaven's Sake!" Kari exploded. She sat down next to Tai.

"Tai," she said gently "Davis has been sleeping with Matt."

Tai's eyes got huge. His face drained of all colour. He began to tremble violently.

"No....." he said feebly "No Kari....no. You've got it wrong, it's not true, it's not true...."

"Tai, I'm really sorry," Kari said "But it's true."

"No!" Tai howled. He doubled up and buried his face in his hands "No! No! Why? Why's he done this to me this time? Why?"

Kari looked at him silently.

"Why were you kissing TK?" she asked.

Tai looked at her, shocked.

"Tai," Kari said gently "I'm sorry but you need to face this. If both of you are cheating on each, then there's something seriously wrong with your relationship."

Tai stared at her.

"Yeah," he said softly "You're right."

Kari bit the inside of her cheek. Tai gave a sob.

"Kari what am I going to do?" he wailed.

Kari hugged him close. She didn't have the answers. She could only watch and try to take care of Tai and hope that everything would work out okay.

* * * *

Two days later, Matt and Tai met up in Gendo's van again. It was the best place as it was neutral territory. Tai scrambled into the van without a word. Matt was staring silently at the embroidery on one of the cushions. He looked up at Tai and opened his mouth to speak. Tai punched him. He knew it was unfair, that he'd been cheating on Matt as well and he had no right to do that. But just seeing those beautiful sapphire eyes staring at him sent anger surging though him. Matt fell backwards, holding his cheek which was bright red against his pale face. Tai stared at him.

"How could you do this Matt?" he said, his voice shaking "How could you do this to me?"

Matt stared at him. Tears were beginning to splash down his face.

"Tai, I'm so sorry," he said "I'm so sorry. I...."

"Not only do you cheat on me," Tai said bitterly "It's with him. Davis. A fourteen year old!"

"I know," Matt said.

"And as if that's not enough," Tai said "You have to let the entire school know. You sleep with a fourteen year old and then you have to let everyone find out before me! Why this time Matt? Why this time? Why'd you have to sleep with Davis for God's sake?"

"I'm sorry!" Matt cried "I'm sorry! I never meant for it to happen! Any of it!"

Tai sank down, his legs too tired to hold him up.

"This isn't working is it?" he said sadly.

Matt didn't say anything.

"See Matt, you weren't the only one cheating," Tai said flatly. He heard Matt gasp and continued "I was cheating too. I wanted somewhere where there was no pressure. So I went and got it. With your brother."

There was silence.

"You....you what?" Matt said eventually.

"Me and TK," Tai said "Together."

"Oh....oh God," Matt said. His voice was shaking violently "Oh God Tai that's just...."

"Sick? No sicker than you and Davis. At least TK and I weren't shagging," Tai said dully.

"He's my brother," Matt whispered. Then his voice rose to a shout "He's my BROTHER damn you! This is completely different!"

"He came on to me!" Tai snapped "I just it carry on."

"Oh so you're blaming this on TK?" Matt shouted.

"I didn't say that!"

"You implied it!"

"At least I wasn't sleeping with him!"

Matt's face was white with rage and he was trembling.

"Don't you dare take the moral high ground with me!" he hissed "You've been doing exactly the same!"

"Well at least I didn't get drunk and go and make a fool of myself in front of the younger school!"

They were startled by the door being ripped open. Gendo was glaring at them.

"Unless you want the entire school to know about you two and your problems," he said though gritted teeth "I'd shut up. I could hear you two yelling from the other end of the car park! I lent you the van to talk, not to rip each other's heads off!"

Matt blushed guiltily. He knew how Gendo felt about fights.

"Sorry," he muttered.

Tai mumbled an apology too. Gendo nodded.

"Good. Now you've got half an hour left because Akemi's rented it after that. Apparently he's managed to talk that stupid footballer whatshisname into having a threesome with his girlfriend and they want my van for it.

"Oh EW!" Matt said "How could you tell me that?"

"Call it revenge," Gendo said "See you later."

He closed the door again. Matt looked at Tai. Tai was still staring silently at the door.

"What are we going to do?" Matt asked quietly "What are we going to do Tai?"

"I don't know."

"Are we...." Matt paused; he didn't want to say it "Are we breaking up?"

"Maybe."

Matt shivered.

"Why TK Tai? Why TK?"

"He was just there," Tai said softly "The first time....it was when we broke up in the Digital World. TK came to take care of me when I was crying. Then we kissed. But....but I said your name instead. So he went to fetch you and we made up."

"Oh God."

"Yeah. Then....then the next time was when you and I had that fight. I ran off and went to TK. I thought maybe he could help me. Instead we ended up kissing. And since then I've been going back. It was just so easy. TK was too young and loves you too much for anything to ever go further. I just wanted no pressure."

"Tai, I tried!" Matt said "I was trying my hardest not to pressure you anymore! That's why Davis..."

"And what does Davis think now?" Tai asked bitterly "Is he going to tag along after you like your precious Joe?"

"Can you not call him that? He's not MY anything. He's just Joe," Matt said "And no. Davis doesn't love me. If Davis is anything, he's in lust with me. That'll fade. He knew that it wasn't a permanent deal anyway."

There was silence again.

"What are we going to do?" Matt whispered "Tai, what are we going to do?"

Tai shook his head.

"Maybe we should take a break," he said.

Matt gave a half sob and drew himself up into a tight ball.

"Tai I don't want to split up with you," he said "I love you."

"You've cheated on me twice since we started this relationship," Tai pointed out quietly "I've been cheating on you. There's something very wrong."

"I can't lose you," Matt whispered.

"Maybe just for a while....." Tai let his voice trail off. He knew that 'let's take a break' is really 'let's split up'. He looked at Matt. Matt didn't look up.

"Is that what you want?" he whispered.

"I don't know what I want Matt!" Tai cried "Everything's so confused. I look at you and think about Joe and Davis and I want to kill you! But I love you so much that it hurts me! I don't know what I want to do."

Matt swallowed and stared at his knees. There was silence in the van. Tai could hear birds singing outside.

"Are you two finished in there?"

Akemi's voice cut thought the silence. Matt looked at Tai.

"Are we finished?"

Tai sighed softly.

"I think we are."

Matt got up and opened the door. Akemi was grinning at them, looking like the cat who'd swallowed about two hundred pints of cream.

"Hurry up!"

Matt could see the footballer person making out with his girlfriend. Tai sprang out of the van and ran off. Matt got out more slowly.

"How'd it go?" Akemi said.

"Great," Matt said "Have fun."

He walked off. He walked straight out of school and just kept walking.

Tai flew into the boys toilets and locked himself into a cubicle. All he wanted to do was cry.

But no tears would come.

* * * *

Joe came out of his night-lesson quite late. He was learning how to speak English and so far it wasn't going very well. He'd stayed back to talk to the teacher and now he was running late. He was taking the short cut which he wasn't supposed to do as it led though a construction site where the more unsavoury elements sometimes hung around. It seemed deserted at that moment though.

He paused suddenly. He thought he'd heard a muffled sob from somewhere.

"Hello?" he called uncertainly.

He looked around, then blinked. On the half-complete roof of the building that was being built was Matt. He was hugging his knees and staring off into space. The streetlights were reflecting off the tears on his face. Joe paused for a moment, then walked over. Carefully, he climbed up and sat next to him. Matt didn't even seem to see him.

"Matt?"

Matt looked at him, then went back to staring.

"You can see nearly the whole city from here," he said.

Joe looked. They were on a hill and it was clear that Matt was right. It was a very nice view.

"Yeah," Joe said.

"So many people," Matt said quietly "I bet none of them have problems like mine."

"No," Joe agreed "I except they all have problems of their own, all of which feel much bigger than everyone else's problems. What's the matter Matt?"

Matt didn't look at him, just kept staring out of the city.

"You aren't going to throw yourself off the building are you?" Joe asked anxiously.

"I don't know," Matt said "Do you think it would make it better?"

Joe gulped. He couldn't tell if Matt was serious or not.

"For you maybe," he said "It would make everything worse for us. Think about TK."

"I might just as well jump now," Matt said.

Joe frowned. Obviously mentioning TK had been the wrong thing to do.

"What do you mean? What's happened to TK?"

"Nothing," Matt said "TK's just fine."

Joe paused, waiting to see if Matt volunteered any more information. Matt swallowed and shivered beside him.

"He's been....he...."

"He what?" Joe asked.

"He and Tai," Matt said. The tears on his face increased "He and Tai...kissing!"

He put his head in his knees. Joe stared at him.

"TK and Tai?" he said.

"Yes!" Matt wailed.

Joe suddenly remembered the night where TK had told him to back off from Matt and Tai. He remembered the expression on TK's face. Of course. That was what TK had been referring to. He decided not to mention this to Matt.

"And now me and Tai have split up!" Matt sobbed "We've spilt up and I love him so much that it hurts me! I want him back, I just want him back!"

Joe let Matt cry for a while, not saying anything. Eventually he gave Matt a small shake.

"Matt. Matt, that's enough. Come on now, look at me."

Matt obeyed. His beautiful face was shining with tears. Joe pushed all thoughts away and concentrated on what he wanted to say.

"Matt," he said gently "You have to consider whether splitting up with Tai was the best thing."

Matt pulled away, anger vying for a position on his despairing face. Joe continued quickly.

"You've been cheating on him and he's been cheating on you," he said "I know you love him but your relationship isn't working. If you are going to have any lasting relationship, you've got to look at it objectively and work out how to make it better."

The anger faded. Matt's shoulders slumped and he looked back over the city.

"What should I do Joe?" he said dully "What should I do?"

Joe bit his lip. This was something that he didn't have the answers for or at least, not answers that Matt was going to like.

"Is there any compromise you can make?" he suggested "An open relationship or something? Otherwise, maybe this split is the best thing. Until Tai feels ready to go further."

"But I want to be with Tai now!" Matt cried.

Joe shrugged.

"Maybe. He loves you. But he's not willing to move beyond kissing and cuddles, whereas you are. Maybe you aren't compatible in a relationship."

Matt stared at him.

"But we love each other," he said, looking confused.

"You can love each other until you're blue in the face but it doesn't make you compatible in a relationship," Joe pointed out "Just talk to him. Make sure he knows that you still want to be friends and you still love him but until things can develop further, maybe it is best you stay separated."

Matt's tears had stopped. He was looking thoughtful now.

"Still thinking about jumping off?" Joe asked.

"No," Matt said quietly "Thank you Joe."

"It's okay," Joe said

The two of them sat quietly staring out over Odaiba for a long time.

* * * *

Tai was lying on his bed when the doorbell rang. He heard his mother answer it, someone speaking muffledly and then the door opened.

"Tai?"

Tai blinked. He'd been expecting it to be TK or Matt or maybe Davis but Joe?

"Joe?"

Joe came in, closing the door.

"How are you?" he asked, looking slightly nervous.

"How do you think?" Tai asked coldly, not looking at him.

He heard Joe sit down on the chair.

"I hear you and Matt have split up," he said.

"Yeah. So you want to go and jump Matt's bones, that's fine with me," Tai said bitterly "Just don't expect him to be faithful."

"I think Matt could be very faithful," Joe said quietly "But he wants stuff you aren't willing to give."

Tai deliberately turned his back on Joe, hoping Joe would go away. He didn't want to talk about this, especially not to Joe.

"I know you don't want to talk about it," Joe said "But you have to. Matt's upset."

"Aw, poor Matt," Tai said "Maybe he should have thought about that before shagging a fourteen year old."

"You were kissing TK who's also fourteen," Joe pointed out "What's the difference?"

"I wasn't sleeping with him!"

"But he's Matt's brother, meaning that whatever you did doubles in pain," Joe said.

Tai drew his knees up. He knew that Joe was right but he just didn't want to see it.

"Are you serious about splitting from Matt?"

"What's that got to do with you?" Tai snarled.

"I don't want to see either of you unhappy," Joe said quietly "Are you serious about splitting from Matt?"

"Yes. No. Oh I don't know!" Tai said.

"That's almost what Matt said," Joe said "So I'll say to you what I said to Matt; maybe you two splitting up is the best option."

"Well you would say that!" Tai snapped "Then you can do whatever sordid things you want to do with Matt. A threesome with a ten year old maybe?"

Before he knew what was happening, Joe had grabbed his shoulder, violently jerked him round and smacked him across the face. Tai yelped in pain and stared at Joe, slightly shocked.

"Don't you ever say anything like that again!" he snapped "You hear me? That's not fair and you know it!"

Tai wilted. Before he could stop himself, he started to cry, great shuddering sobs that came from within. Joe quietly put his arms round his once close friend and held him as he sobbed. Eventually when Tai's tears had died down, Joe started to speak quietly.

"You and Matt want different things from a relationship Tai. Until you can make an agreement, you'll never be happy together. If you can talk to him, you can stay friends and possibly have another go at a relationship when you're ready. But until then, I think that a separation is the best thing for you."

Tai remained still in Joe's arms.

"I don't know," he said "It's so hard."

"Love's always hard," Joe said "You'll just have to think and try to make the right decision."

"What did Matt say?" Tai asked.

"Ask him," Joe said "You'll only be able to sort something out properly if you talk."

Tai drew back and wiped his face.

"Yeah," he said "Yeah. You're right."

Joe shrugged.

"I just want everyone happy," he said "That's all."

Tai nodded. Joe stood up to leave.

"Joe?" Tai said.

"Yes?"

"Thanks."

"It's okay," Joe said.

He walked out of the room. Tai heard the apartment door close. He sat thinking for a little while, then dialled Matt's number.

* * * *

"So are you ready for the gig Friday?" Gendo said.

"When have I not been ready?" Matt enquired haughtily "I'm always ready!"

"I hope there's some pretty girls," Akemi said "It's been ages since I've had some really good eye candy."

"Akemi, last time there was some really good eye candy, you messed up the beat," Toshiki said.

"Well you play the drums then if you're so good!" Akemi said.

"Aw shut up," Matt said "Hey Tai!"

Tai looked up from the water fountain and waved. Matt grinned.

"You coming to the gig?"

"No, I thought I'd stay in and do my homework!" Tai yelled back.

"That's all right. Just checking that we weren't interfering with your studies!" Matt said. Tai rolled his eyes and walked off. The band continued together.

"So how are things between you two anyway?" Istu asked.

Matt's relationship with Tai had been a touchy subject since the school had found out about Davis but it was several weeks now and the band figured it was okay to ask.

"It's a little strained," Matt said "Going from 'boyfriend' to 'just friends' isn't easy, especially as we both still have feelings for each other. But things are settling."

"And you and TK?" Toshiki asked.

Matt frowned.

"We're not exactly best of friends," he admitted "I was mad at TK and he kicked off, saying that I was a bad boyfriend to Tai and I got madder, he got madder, there was some shouting, some minor missile launch. So we're sort of at odds. But it should be all right. I hope."

"You'll work it out," Gendo said "You're brothers."

"I hope you're right," Matt said.

"And you and Davis?" Akemi asked.

"Nothing there," Matt said "Completely over that. We talked about it and knew that there was never going to be anything more."

"Plus that fact that Jun would have killed you both," Toshiki said shrewdly.

"Well, that might have had something to do with it," Matt said.

"Speaking of the lovely Jun Motomiya, how is she?" Gendo asked.

"She seems to be avoiding me," Matt said "It's just great. No more Jun. Freedom!"

The group laughed and carried on. Only Toshiki saw Matt glance over his shoulder in the direction Tai had gone and his face fell. Toshiki touched his arm lightly and smiled at him.

"It'll work out," he said quietly so the others didn't hear.

"I hope so," Matt said.

"I'm right," Toshiki said "I know I am. Things will be okay between you both. It'll just take time."

"Yeah," Matt said.

"Time."

The End.

Don't like the ending? Well it wasn't supposed to end like that but somehow this fic mutated and grew out of my control. I think I created a monster. If it makes you feel better, this fic is continued for the final time in 'On the Road'!