Izzy sighed, letting the cool wind blow his hair back a little. He dipped his fingers in the water as Ikkakumon pulled his passengers along, thinking.

Up until today, I've never felt so strangely. I think it may be... it may be... I can't even bring myself to think it! But today... things have been... different.

He stared at his reflection in the water.

It's probably just a trick of the mind. I've spent too much time in the Digiworld, and I haven't had a good meal all day, so I must be going insane. It's the only logical explanation. I'll go to sleep tonight and when I wake up this ridiculous notion will have been evacuated from my mind.

Izzy allowed himself a small chuckle, shaking his head.

To think I could be attracted to him...

That's it. This adventure has warped my mind. I'm falling for a kid two years younger than I am. And a boy to boot!

Joe clung to Ikkakumon's horn, trying not to get seasick. This was messing him up enough as it was, he didn't need to be sick on top of that.

What in the world do I see in him? He's always buried in that computer, he's short, I can't understand what he says sometimes, and yet now when I look at him, I just want to pull him into my arms and kiss him.

Joe groaned, hitting his head against the side of Ikkakumon's horn.

Gomamon will never let it go if he finds out. My family will freak out. He'll probably run screaming or laugh himself to death. Why me?!

Maybe it's the blue hair. For some odd reason, I've always found blue hair attractive. Yes, that's good. He's the only one of the group with blue hair, and this attraction is ONLY because of that.

Actually, I think I like the shortness. It's cute. He's cute.

He probably doesn't suspect a thing. This day was probably just another unwanted adventure for him.

What am I thinking?! Joe Kido, you idiot, snap out of it! You do NOT like Izzy, understood?!

But... who am I trying to fool? I'll admit it, I like him.

Oh, forget it. He's adorable. I think I'm in love with him.

Joe... what are you thinking now? Are you recalling how close we seemed to be today? Or is that just an errant hope too wild to be taken seriously?

Well, it's not like I have to kiss him or anything. He doesn't have to know. Nobody has to know.

Crest of Knowledge. Perhaps it's fitting, but I'd give anything to trade crests with Sora at this moment. I wonder if it would help.

I wonder how he feels about this? I mean, he stuck close to me all day today, and tried to help me when that jerk was yelling at me. It could have been an act of friendship, but... all day?

Did... did he just glance back at me?!

Ooh, he seemed startled when I looked at him. Maybe he hates me.

Calm down, Izzy. He was probably just wondering how far we were from the bridge. Maybe he was just bored of looking ahead.

Or maybe he loves me!!

I'll have to learn how to control myself better. I nearly fell off the log when he looked at me.

Oh, come on. How can he love me back?

I think it's definitely the blue hair. And he's tall - I like tall. Besides, he's always worried about us and trying to be responsible. I've always admired that... I guess now it's just gone beyond admiration. I actually think it's cute how he fusses...

I probably annoy him to death. Not that I'd blame him, really. I'd annoy me too.

Maybe I'll talk to him. Tonight, or else I'll never work up the nerve.

I love you, Izzy. I just wish I could tell you.

"Here we are, Odaiba!"

Both boys were jarred from their thoughts at Ikkakumon's rumbled announcement. Joe scrambled off his partner's head and helped the other Digidestined and their Digimon partners as they climbed onto the dock.

"Yep," Tai declared. "This is Odaiba, alright."

"Great, now we can go home," Joe said, sounding relieved.

"Well, we can't afford to relax just yet," Matt cautioned. "Myotismon's still out there."

"And who knows what else," Tai had to agree.

Joe gulped and Izzy looked at his shoes.

Izzy took several long, deep breaths, staring at the phone in his hand.

Calm down. You're acting like a nervous schoolgirl! It's just a phone call.

To tell him something he's probably better off not knowing.

Izzy sighed, and dialed Joe's number. Probably better to tell him, keep everything in the open between friends, or at least teammates.

Keeping this secret too long will only ensure that it festers, and everyone will end up suffering.

Izzy jumped as he heard someone pick up the phone.

"Kido residence, Jim speaking," a bored-sounding voice answered. Izzy sighed silently.

"This is Izzy, one of Joe's friends," Izzy introduced himself. "May I please speak with him?"

"Hang on a second." Izzy could hear Jim yelling 'Joe, phone for you!' He bit his lip in the silence, fighting the urge to just hang up and forget about it. Someone had let a flock of butterflies loose in his stomach and his heart was pounding.

"Hello?"

"Joe, it's Izzy."

Pause.

"Hi, Izzy."

"How are you doing?"

Longer pause. "I don't know how to answer that."

Izzy sighed. "I might as well get to the point."

"Might as well."

"About today... did it seem a little... odd to you?"

"Let's see... we got seperated from the group, they used all our money for food, we went through a series of nightmares trying to get a ride to Odaiba, then you nearly got drowned, and then Gesomon showed up... nope, all in all a normal day in the life of a Digidestined."

Izzy had to laugh a little. But Joe had sounded nervous... and Izzy felt his heart jump slightly at Joe's inclusion of him in the day's synopsis. He chided himself for being irrational and tried to respond.

"Well... there was something different about it to me."

"Like what?"

Izzy took a deep breath and sighed. "My feelings about someone have completely changed today."

Joe's heart skipped a beat at those words. Who? Who does he mean? Does he mean... COULD he mean... me?

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Yes... that's why I called you."

"Why me?"

"Well... I guess it's because I can always count on you... you have the Crest of Reliability, after all."

Joe blushed, and was immensely thankful Izzy couldn't see him. "Well, I'm listening."

"I... I think I'm in love, Joe. And... it's with a boy."

Time screeched to a halt.

"Wow... that must be hard for you."

"It is... I don't think he loves me back..." Izzy's voice sounded so small. It made Joe's heart ache. "I don't think... he can love me back..."

Joe held the phone to his face a litle closer, wishing Izzy were so close. "I... feel the same way."

He did not just say that.

"About... who?" Izzy whispered, his voice choked.

"He's... well, he's a younger boy, by two years... short... very cute... but I feel like I probably just annoy him..."

You do not. "You never know... he might think your fussing is cute."

Cute?!

"If he does, I'll be eternally grateful... why don't you tell me about your love interest?"

"He's tall... sort of lanky and clumsy, but I think it's cute. He's sweet, the way he worries about everyone..."

He's talking about me. I just know it.

"Well... he might really see something in you. You're a rather charming boy, you know."

Ooh... did he just hit on me?

Oh my god, I think I just hit on him.

"Thank you... I'm sure your crush sees something in you as well."

I think he caught on to my innuendoes. And I think he returns it...

"Have you tried talking to him? He might understand more than you think."

Pleeeeaaase, Izzy, you have the Crest of Knowledge for a reason. I'm begging you, PLEASE understand that you're the boy I love!

Izzy smiled. "As a matter of fact, I have. And you're right, he did understand."

Joe trembled. "Then what was the problem...?"

"There isn't one... not now that I've talked to you. You see..."

"...don't tell me. I'm the other boy, right?"

Oh my god oh my god oh my god...

"Izzy..." Joe whispered, his voice choked. "I..."

"I love you too, Joe," Izzy smiled.

Tears streamed down the older boy's cheeks, a smile spreading over his face.

"Thank you," he whispered.

"See you tomorrow? The park, maybe?"

Our first date.

"Sounds good... how about noon?"

"I'll be there..."