Chapter Text
They hold hands every time he has to introduce Ikuto to something new. The whole living in a completely new world with different rules and etiquettes thing really takes a toll on the kid. He tries really hard not to be affected but it turns out he has a lot of anxiety. He feels like if he messes up he’s going to be kicked out. He feels like he doesn’t belong in either world. But he’s trying despite that mess of fear and Masaru thinks this kid is the bravest thing he’s ever met.
Masaru realizes now after everything how much he depends on others and he can’t help but feel for the kid that’s only depending on himself. So Masaru will hold his hand when Ikuto looks nervous. Masaru expects the proud child to slap it away the first time he does it but instead he’s met with a death grip. Ikuto doesn’t look at him and sure doesn’t let go.
Masaru is glad he’s the one who grabbed his hand mostly for the fact that if it had been Chika her hands probably would have snapped in half at the sheer strength of the boy. Masaru’s pretty sure if he had held his hand before the whole digital world thing came into his life he would have maybe even broken a bone or two if Ikuto had grabbed with such force.
Masaru’s evolved alongside Agumon though- he’s not as stupid to not realize that he’s gotten stronger. He got strong to protect the things that matter. Masaru looks down at the small boy and realizes he did too. Ikuto got stronger to protect from such a young age. Masaru was still a brat that caused his family troubles when Ikuto was forced to become a warrior. He was younger than Chika when DATS attempted to scout her.
Masaru squeezes Ikuto’s hand back. Ikuto doesn’t have to rely only on himself more. Even if it’s just holding his hand through the small day to day things Masaru will do it with as much fight he had when he punched ‘god’ in the face. Masaru refuses to let Ikuto be alone. If Ikuto is going to protect both humans and digimon than Masaru is going to protect Ikuto every way he can.