Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I’m so sorry for this Sora… I really thought the movie would begin now, not an hour ago…” Taichi had said to her apologetically.

For once Sora had let Taichi plan their monthly ‘friendly date night’, but she was remembered why she was usually the one to plan these things. Still she couldn’t be mad at him as he had done is utmost best during the entirety of the afternoon and evening up till now.

First he had taken her to an arts exhibition that was held at his university. Not only had he picked her up at home, traveling by subway to her place in Odaiba only to travel back to the area where he lived, close to his university, but Taichi had actually read into the exhibition. Instead of walking by the exposed art pieces knowing nothing, he could actually talk about them and form an honest opinion. Sora was surprised by his formulations and the sudden interest that seemed incredibly genuine. Or he was genuine, because she knew he wasn’t the one to fake things like these.

“There’s also an Ikebana piece and I am dying to show you!” He had enthusiastically said, grabbing her hand like a child to drag her from the one to the other expo room. The piece was lovely, resembling purity in all its brightness, something that was so fitting for the moments she shared with Taichi right now and before. To her he was the pure resemblance of all things bright in her life.

She had suddenly felt how her arm was lifted when Taichi tried to point at a certain flower and she realized that he had never let go of her hand. Not that she wanted to. His hand felt warm and she felt safe and happy with him so close. The heat that had formed in her stomach rapidly spread through her body, the result being her face heating up and her cheeks becoming red.

“Oh, sorry.” Taichi had said when he caught her blushing, immediately letting go of her hand. A wave of disappointment hit Sora as her arm fell back to her side, already missing his warmth and connection. The rest of the night she had longed to held his hand again, wanting to take it back in her own again, though she lacked the courage to take his.

Once done at the exhibition, Taichi had taken her to his place to pick up the food he had prepared for the two of them. Sora had thought he would have been lazy by getting microwaved dinner, but instead he had actually tried a new recipe just for her. The smells of the homecooked dinner had greeted her nostrils as Taichi opened his door, his trademark grin plastered on his face as he caught her surprised.

“You always think so low of me, but for the record, I can cook. I’m just too busy—”

“You mean too lazy?”

“Whatever, I just don’t do it that often. But for you, Sora, I’d do anything.”

Her eyes grew wide at those words, echoing in her head for a little longer. Excitement filled her heart, a tingling sensation in her limbs as a result, as was the dryness in her mouth. She couldn’t exactly tell why those feelings had struck her. What she did know was that it had something to do with his words. Sora was sure he would do basically anything for everyone, but something told her that he would do just a little extra for her. It made her swoon.

She didn’t have much time to think about it any further with Taichi pressing the bag with their dinner in her hands. And when he basically pushed her out of his studio, she left her tenuous feelings behind at his place, shoving aside the gut feeling that had crept into her stomach ever since their unexpected handholding that afternoon.

They ate their dinner at a nearby park on a bench, ‘romantically’ in the light of a street lantern, looking out over an abandoned playground. It had been an absolute downgrade compared to what he had done for her up till then. The chilly spring breeze conjured goosebumps on the skin of her bare arms making her reach for her jacket, but Taichi was quick by lending her his. The warmth that his own body had radiated, enveloped her shivering one through the jacket like a warm and welcoming embrace.

She smiled at him, silently thanking him for his kindness. He smiled back which made her melt a little, rekindling the spark she had felt at certain moments already that day. Their conversation ignited that spark, turning it into a fire, a light shining bright on him and him alone, highlighting all his perfect features, his funny—

Had she ever seen him the way she did now? Sora wasn’t sure, but it wasn’t a new feeling either or a new feeling at all. It was one she recognized, one she had grown used to over all these years, but it had been there basically since the very beginning. Her mind raced and her body quitted as her appetite disappeared like snow in the sun, her thoughts fully focused on figuring out how exactly she saw him and for how long it had been going on.

“Sora…? Sora, hello…”

Sora looked at him, deeply sunk into her thoughts. So deep, she had lost herself in reminiscing the happenings, thoughts and feelings from that day, actually thinking she was still sitting on that bench in the park. She remembered the movie they had missed, her body and mind arriving back in front of the cinema where she stood face to face with Taichi. The look on Taichi’s face was a confused one mixed with a small and curious smile.

“I don’t know what’s going on in that pretty head of yours, but you look like you could use some rest.” Taichi said, a worried tone seeping through his words. “Come on, let’s get you home.”

“No!” Sora exclaimed before she could think, not wanting to go home yet.

There was something about this day, about this evening, about this ‘date’… about him that was nostalgic, sweet, exciting, warm and above all… romantic. She laughed a little to herself, holding on to his jacket keeping her warm and safe. She was not ready for them to part, for him to leave and Sora had to come up with a plan to keep him with her for a little longer. Her head, however, wasn’t able to think straight and she stared into his eyes, trying to figure out how to let him stay while her mind went numb.

“Okay then. How about we take a little walk?”

In the end he was the one to figure her out, staring right back into her eyes and reading them, making up her plan for them to prolong their date. Sora nodded in response, linking her arm with the arm he extended.

Maybe today’s come together between friends wasn’t intended to be a ‘date-date’, but to Sora, it was the most romantic one she had ever had. And the best thing? It was not the end yet…

Chapter Text

It was a clear spring’s night with the stars in the sky accompanying the moon. Taichi looked to his left where Sora walked, her right arm linked with his left, glowing along with the stars in the sky. She had been beaming this evening in a way he had never seen her shine before. Taichi wondered to himself whether it was because of all that he had done for her today that made her light up like this.

Every month Sora had planned their little friendly dates and he knew why, she didn’t trust him with it and so he had to proof to her he was perfectly capable to plan a date. To his own surprise, it had gone rather smoothly, except for the part where he made a mistake in time resulting in them missing the movie. Disappointed in himself and thinking Sora would get mad, he suggested to end the evening earlier than expected by bringing her home, but the no with which she answered had taken him by surprise.

Looking deep into her eyes, those incredible copper eyes that he loved so dearly, Taichi tried to figure out what she wanted. Over the years he had developed the ability to read her wants and needs, because he knew she needed that in certain times. Just like him Sora wasn’t much of a talker, never telling him she needed help, a shoulder to cry on or a simple joke to bright up her day. They were both skilled at building walls, building them high to avoid the talk, but for some reason they had always understood each other in one way or another. And for Taichi it were her eyes that gave away most of her secrets.

Most of them.

He could read her needs, he could read her wants, but he was absolutely unsure about how she felt. Sure, he was certain that she did feel things, though she would never talk about it which pained Taichi. However, he never forced her to talk. It would be hypocritical to expect her to do the one thing he was unable to do himself, because in all honesty, he was unsure about how he felt himself towards pretty much everything and everyone. Especially towards Sora.

In his eyes, Sora was simply and without a single doubt one of the most gorgeous girls he had ever laid eyes on. And it didn’t help when she grew up into an even more stunning woman. He was man enough to admit to himself that at one or more points in his life, he had seen her as more than just a very good friend, but he had conditioned himself to never go that route. Just like he expected Sora had conditioned herself to never take that sideroad as well. Unfortunately enough, it were those unsaid vague feelings that were probably the reason why they weren’t able to open up to one another, burying them the easiest way out for the both of them.

Being in no position to get anywhere near romantic with Sora, he settled for these little moments with her. The friendly dates they had every month a thing he was looking forward to every single time. It was his escape from study, getting nostalgic and feeling like himself. It was the effect Sora had on him and he was fully okay with that, loving every single second of it.

“You’re smiling,” Sora stated playfully, letting go of his arm to stroll free from him over the sand. They had been talking and walking for a long time, getting lost in each other as time brought them to the bay of Odaiba. Taichi followed her footsteps in the sand.

“I feel good,” he softly replied.

“And why’s that?” She countered back, curious but playful. Taichi couldn’t help but to look into her eyes, the stars that twinkled in the night’s air now twinkling in her eyes. She was testing him, playing a stupid game, so he flashed her a smile to tell her he could play along.

“Well, we’re here on this beautiful night strolling over the beach after I forgot the time and we missed the movie,” Taichi watched her roll her eyes at him, then he continued, “but it doesn’t matter anymore, because the moon is shining, the water is chill and, most importantly, you are here with me. And that’s all I ever need.”

Taichi was aware that his flirting skills were on point, knowing he could sway every person with his words if he wanted to. And even though Sora had always been a tough crowd, he was always able to make her melt in the end. With his smug smile in place, he waited for her to return his flirtatious behavior with a cheesy comment, but it never came. Instead she giggled and even in the dark he could see her cheeks flooding pink.

His heart skipped a beat. He had been aware of her getting flustered more easily during the afternoon and evening and he wondered once again whether it were his actions and words that were leaving her at a loss for words. But before he could make a comment, asking her what was up, she had turned herself around at the sound of someone squealing, facing away from him.

“Taichi, look! Someone’s proposing to his girlfriend.”

Taichi followed Sora’s trail of sight. In the far away he could see the shadows of a girl with her hands before her mouth and a man down on one knee, holding a little open box in his hand. Taichi looked back at Sora, hoping he could look in the eyes, trying to read her thoughts about the scene unfolding, but all he saw was her the back of her body.

The yes cried by the woman in the distance was the signal for fireworks to go off. The sky painted in purple, green and golden colors.

“With fireworks,” Taichi mumbled to himself, then made a step closer towards Sora. “He really went big…”

Sora felt his present, turning around to look at him for a brief moment before looking back at the happy couple. “It’s a bit cheesy… But also kinda nice, don’t you think?”

“I guess so.” Was all Taichi could say, again stepping a little closer into Sora’s direction, while Sora had stepped back a little as well to close the gap between her and Taichi. Her back was now carefully pressed against his torso, her head leaned gently against his shoulder, looking up to watch the fireworks light up the night.

She was innocent like this and it was Taichi who melted for a second, losing himself in her closeness. But he knew he could not lose himself and so he shifted his gaze from her to the couple again. It made him think though…

“Say Sor?”

“Hm?”

“Do you expect a proposal like this in the future?”

Sora turned her head towards the couple now too. “No thanks. Exaggeration is more of a Mimi-thing. I prefer it small.”

“Noted.” Taichi mumbled to himself, making a mental note to tell Sora’s potential husband to not go too big.

“Noted…?” Sora’s head now turned to face him with her body still leaning into his. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well,” he started, thinking it was best to be honest with her, “I take that I’ll be your best man, or man of honor or whatever, and as your future ‘best man of honor’ I need to pass on that information to your future groom.”

He looked at her, staring into her eyes, trying to read her like he always did, but as expected he had no idea what she felt or thought. What he did notice was her genuine smile, showing him some… hope?

“That’s actually very sweet, Taichi…”

The way his name sounded was different as well, the tone in her voice betraying that hope and even some kind of want. He took out his left hand from his pocket to scratch his head.

“Thanks, I—”

“… though who said you’ll be the ‘best man of honor’…?” She said interrupting him, her head slightly tilted. Sora was curious, Taichi could tell and it made her even more adorable. His left arm dropped to hang by his side

“I’m your oldest and dearest friend!” He answered without thinking. It was obvious, and she knew it. She just needed to hear it, Taichi thought. “I at least expect you to ask me to be your witness and just so you know, I would gladly take that role.”

Hyperaware of Sora’s body against his, but unaware of his own body language, Taichi had placed his hand on her left hip, mimicking the newly engaged couple. He wanted to pull away, scared he would pull a nerve, but Sora had quickly covered his hand with hers.

“Don’t worry,” she said, sweetly brushing the hand with her thumb, “I know you would be a wonderful witness…”

There was a fierceness in Sora’s eyes he couldn’t grasp, leading to a mutual stare in which each of them tried to figure out the other. Taichi felt how her right hand crawled to the right side of his neck and the back of his head, her fingers disappearing in his brown hair, feeling like she was trying to reassure him. And as her hand moved upwards across his body, reaching for the thing she longed for, it were her eyes that finally started speaking, confusion striking Taichi like sharp lightning.

“But why would you be my best man when you can be the groom instead…?” She eventually finished and Taichi was dazed. He was sure Sora could see the confusion on his face, feel it in his body, still she pulled his head down a little, reaching up herself to meet his lips in the middle.

For a moment the world stopped spinning, the fireworks in the sky lost their sound and brightness, because Sora was the one that had taken up all of the spotlight. The kiss lasted for countable seconds, going through only lips touching and moving, to lips parting for the other to enter, to even slipping in some tongue. It were seconds that had felt like eternity and could go on for forever more. As they parted from each other, Taichi had to blink his eyes. He tried to comprehend what just had happened, the kiss lingering on his lips, her last words lingering on his mind.

“T-The groom…? As in your groom?!”

She giggled shyly, turning away her head back to the fireworks slowly dying down. “Maybe one day… who knows…” Sora said, pressing herself up against him a little more, his warmed up hand on her hip getting lightly squeezed by her softly trembling one.

He had not seen that coming at all, nor had he been able to read it in her eyes. Instead he had felt it. Felt her. And for some reason he knew, or at least hoped, that this would be just the beginning.