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***
It was Daisuke that started it because, well, it was Daisuke that started everything. They were returning to the gate, ready to head home after helping the local Digimon repair a ruined area, when Daisuke said,
“Hey Takeru, not to be rude or anything-”
Everyone immediately went on alert.
“-but you know Patamon has legs, right?”
Takeru blinked, looking down at his partner, who was currently in his arms and looked just as confused as he felt. He offered a chuckle, giving Patamon a light squeeze as he did so. “Considering we’ve been a team for near four years, yeah Daisuke, I did kind of know that.”
Daisuke blew off the slight teasing tone. “Okay, so why can’t he walk? I get Patamon’s not as big as V-Mon or whatever, but Wormmon walks. Why do you carry him everywhere?”
Hikari frowned while Miyako now looked interested. Takeru just shrugged. “Well, I guess because he likes it. And it’s not as if he hurts me; you’re lighter than you look!”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Patamon demanded indignantly, but he was already laughing.
“Exactly what I said,” Takeru said with a bright smile, Hikari giggling.
“Whatever,” Daisuke scoffed. “Just seems kind of babyish if you ask me.”
“Daisuke,” Iori murmured disapprovingly. Takeru just tightened his grip, smile fading away.
“I think, Daisuke, you should just mind your own business.”
With that, Takeru stalked away, Miyako rolling her eyes and Daisuke exclaiming he hadn’t done anything wrong. Ken stayed to try and peace things over with Daisuke while Hikari jogged after Takeru. He sent her a strained smile and waved it off as losing his temper. They just didn’t know it was going to come up again so soon.
***
They had all been excited, ecstatic, in awe even, when Paildramon had first Digivolved. The Jogress was stronger than anything they had been able to put together so far and was more than a match for their latest foe. Then the battle had ended and the Digimon had reverted back to their baby levels. The Digimon themselves didn’t seem too distressed but Takeru went dead stiff.
“You guys were awesome!” Daisuke cheered.
“We sure were!” Chicomon said before leaning against Leafmon’s side. “But I think it’s time for a nap now.”
“You guys can nap when we get home,” Ken promised. “I’ll even have my mum make us something special, sound good?”
“Sounds great,” Leafmon murmured, pushing himself up and starting to hop alongside Ken.
Ken smiled and Daisuke grinned - maybe the others even did too - but Takeru didn’t. No, he instead strode towards the two Digimon, Patamon thankfully understanding and already clambering up onto his head. With ease, Takeru scooped the two Digimon into his arms.
“Hey, are you guys okay?” he asked softly.
“We’re fine,” Chicomon replied, burrowing into his arms. “Just tired.”
“Mm, thanks for the lift Takeru,” Leafmon added, eyes drooping shut.
Takeru hugged them a bit tighter, turning and making for where the others were. Iori had noticed him lagging behind and was in the process of calling the rest back. Takeru assured him there was no need but by then Hikari had already doubled back and Daisuke had turned around. He then blinked at seeing Chicomon in Takeru’s arms.
“Dude, this again? Come on, it’s getting ridiculous.”
“Hey, Takeru’s just being nice!” Patamon cut in sharply.
“Look at them Daisuke,” Takeru added, lifting his arms slightly higher. “They’re babies. Not to mention they’re exhausted.”
“Well the babies in the Village of New Beginnings walk around just fine,” Daisuke drawled.
“Yes, but they’re not exactly hiking a long way like we are,” Hikari said.
“You’re right.” Ken carefully extracted Leafmon from Takeru’s arms and tucked him into his own. “Thank you Takeru. I guess I got a little bit distracted.”
Daisuke grumbled but did relieve Takeru of Chicomon. “Fine. Thanks or whatever.”
Takeru took the apology, as insincere as it was, and reached a hand up to pet Patamon when he made a worried sound. Patamon settled some at that, nuzzling into his hat before resuming his customary position as lookout.
“You know,” Takeru hedged, once some of the anger had dissipated. “I’m not sure Jogress Digivolving is a good idea. It seems to put too much strain on the Digimon.”
Ken and Iori frowned, Hikari looked thoughtful, and both Daisuke and Miyako looked at him as though he were crazy.
“You can just say you’re jealous,” Daisuke sniffed.
Takeru rolled his eyes. “Of you? Please. But just look at your Digimon Daisuke. Was winning worth that?” He pointed at Chicomon to emphasise his point. “Even when Agumon and Gabumon used to reach Ultimate, they never reverted so far.”
“That’s true,” Hikari realised, hands coming to twist together worriedly.
“It makes me think that this may be too tiring for them. It could be dangerous.”
“In what way?” Ken asked. “I’m sure with a little rest, Leafmon will be fine.”
Daisuke nodded. “Exactly! And out of all of us, Ken’s the most careful. He already lost Wormmon once. He wouldn’t want to do it again.”
Takeru’s mouth opened and then snapped shut before he could speak.
“And besides, they’re just Digivolving,” Daisuke tacked on, hands lacing behind his head. “It’s not like they can Digivolve themselves to death.”
“Daisuke, don’t even say that!” Miyako gasped, looking horrified.
But, they were wrong. Takeru knew they were wrong. Patamon slid down to his shoulder, pressing their cheeks together. Digivolving was a whole lot more dangerous than they knew.
***
“Are you sure you don’t mind me coming over?”
“Well, as strange as it is for you to be over here knowing Yamato won’t be, you’re always welcome here Takeru.”
Takeru flashed his dad a smile. Patamon offered a sleepy smile from his arms but was more than happy when Takeru dropped him onto the couch, the Digimon asleep within minutes. At his dad’s questioning look, Takeru shrugged.
“I think I kicked him out of bed a few times last night. On accident.”
Hiroaki chuckled, making for the cupboards and then grimacing, going for the fridge instead. “Yamato might have put something aside. He hasn’t been home to make dinner yet I’m afraid.”
Takeru waved him off as he leant over the bench. “You eat if you’re hungry. I had something before I came over. Mum might order in later anyway.”
“Your brother will kill me if I don’t feed you,” Hiroaki warned.
Takeru laughed. “Then I’ll just make sure to be gone before he gets home! Hide the evidence.”
That seemed to do the trick and while a plate wasn’t put in front of him, a cup of tea was. Takeru gave a quiet thanks, hugging the mug in his hands and watching his dad potter around the kitchen. A photo of Yamato was stuck to the fridge, in between his band’s schedule and a grocery list. There was another one of Yamato, older, and it looked like someone - no guesses as to who - had tried to hide it behind post-it notes and souvenir magnets.
“See something interesting?” Hiroaki asked.
Takeru shrugged. “Just…You have more pictures of Yamato than Mum has of me. Which says a lot because Yamato doesn’t even like photos!”
“And here I thought Natsuko would follow you around with her camera.”
He shook his head. “Hikari’s probably the person to ask. If you want photos of me, that is.”
He’d meant it as a joke and so was taken aback when his dad actually rubbed at his chin. “Well, I won’t be calling her but I might have Yamato ask Taichi. But that aside,” Hiroaki took a gulp of his own coffee before setting it down, gaze turning more serious. “You didn’t come here to comment on our decor. Or lack thereof, really. So, what’s going on?”
Takeru knew it was true, absently picking at the countertop. “It’s just…something I wanted advice on and Mum doesn’t…Mum isn’t so into the whole Digimon thing.”
Hiroaki’s eyebrows shot up. “Kid, it’s not like I know much about them either. Surely you’d be better off with Yamato?”
Takeru shook his head quickly. “It is and it isn’t so can I just ask you?”
There was a long pause before Hiroaki guided him to the table. Takeru took the seat offered and waited for his dad to slip into the one opposite. “There’s a story first,” he hedged, to which his dad merely nodded. “Okay so, years ago, when we first went to the Digital World, we all met our Digimon and, one by one, everyone’s Digimon began to Digivolve. They all did…except Patamon. No matter what, he wouldn’t Digivolve. And I was upset about it, Patamon too. Yamato said not to worry, that he’d always protect us. But it wasn’t the same.
Then…” Takeru’s hands balled into fists. “Patamon did Digivolve. And, in doing so. He…died.”
Hiroaki’s head jerked up.
“He came back, obviously, as a DigiEgg and I raised him, I guess. It took a long time for him to become Patamon again. And by then, we were looking for crests; Yamato told you about those, right? The whole friendship, hope, light? Yeah, thought so. The crests let the Digimon Digivolve again, get even stronger. But I didn’t want that. I found my crest but even when everyone else’s partners Digivolved, I wasn’t angry anymore that Patamon didn’t.”
“Because you didn’t want him to,” Hiroaki surmised.
A nod. “Finally, though, when that whole Digital-World-in-the-sky thing happened, Patamon did Digivolve. All the way to Perfect. And he was okay, nothing went wrong that time. He ended up saving my life. But now, Daisuke and Ken…Dad, they can do what’s called Jogress. Their Digimon combine and get stronger but afterwards, their Digimon became babies, almost like Patamon after he became Angemon for the first time. They’re going to keep doing it, I can’t stop them but,” Takeru’s eyes flew over to where Patamon was. “But I don’t want to.”
Hiroaki rested his chin atop his hands. “And who would you, what was it, Jogress, with?”
Takeru paused, frowning. “I’m not sure.”
“Can you do it?” Was the next question. “Yamato had to have your angel shoot him before Gabumon could Digivolve. As far as I know it just stayed as him and Taichi having that power, right? Maybe this is similar.”
“...I never thought of that.”
“Lastly,” Hiroaki said, leaning back in his chair and nodding towards the sofa. “Does he want to? What does Patamon think? Is he upset about this too?”
“Upset?” Takeru repeated in confusion.
“You said he was upset when he couldn’t Digivolve at first. How about when you found those crests? Did Patamon still want to Digivolve?”
That made Takeru stop. He threw his mind back as quickly as he could, trying to remember every conversation they’d had during that time. When he found the answer he whirled around, watching Patamon in wonder. “No, he never mentioned it.”
Hiroaki spread his hands. “It sounds as though you both got a scare from that first time. If it doesn’t bother him, don’t let it bother you. And if someone gives you grief about it, you send them straight to me, got it?”
Takeru spluttered indignantly before laughing. He rounded the table, drawing his dad in and giving him a quick hug. Hiroaki coughed awkwardly and gave him a single pat on the back. Takeru didn’t mind though, just smiling and collecting Patamon, giggling when the Digimon snuffled against his chest.
“Thanks Dad. You’re the best.”
***
Within a few weeks, his dad’s theory had been proven wrong as both Hikari and Miyako were able to Jogress together. Takeru would admit, that had filled him with a mild sense of both anxiety and fear. Not because he didn’t like Iori or that he thought he and Iori weren’t compatible, but Hikari understood him. Hikari wouldn’t have wanted to Jogress if Takeru had taken her aside and explained his feelings. And he would have, with her. Their bond was just deeper. Always had been.
But with there just being him and Iori remaining, Takeru thought it was obvious what the next step was supposed to be. And it made him that little bit more protective of Patamon. It shouldn’t have made him feel better but it did when Takeru realised that Patamon was a bit more hesitant around Armadimon too. At least he wasn’t the only one internally freaking out.
Not that it made the whole thing any fairer on Iori.
Takeru said as much as they slipped on their shoes, preparing to leave school for the day. Iori blinked up at him.
“You don’t have to apologise.”
“But I do,” Takeru stressed, hoisting his backpack over his shoulder and waiting for Patamon to flutter into his arms. “Because it’s not fair on you or Armadimon. And so, I’m sorry that you got stuck with me as your partner.”
Iori mulled that over. “I think there’s more to this than you’re telling us.” Takeru stiffened. “But I won’t ask if you don’t want me to.”
Takeru smiled sadly. “Thanks. It’s just something I need to get over.”
“Hey, don’t forget to lump me in there!” Patamon added sternly, frowning up at him. “We both feel the same way.”
Takeru murmured a thanks, both to Patamon and Iori when Daisuke shoulder checked him. “I hope the way you’re feeling is disappointed and a lack of team spirit.”
“And so what if it is?” Takeru snapped, Miyako turning around in surprise.
Daisuke fisted his hands on his hips. “If you know you’re letting the team down then why not do something about it! Why don’t you just grow up, Takeru, and do what needs to be done?”
Takeru stared at him for the longest time before abruptly spinning on his heel and sprinting off. Miyako threw her hands skyward and Daisuke stomped a foot in frustration. It was Hikari who stepped forward and suggested calling her brother, Yamato too. As she so aptly put it, this had gone on long enough.
***
Being called up to meet Taichi on a school night wasn’t so rare. Yamato calculated it happened about twice a week. Being called up by Taichi on a school night only to find him with the new Chosen Children bar Takeru? Now that was different. It also made dread claw at his throat and he ignored Daisuke’s greeting in favour of power walking to Taichi’s side.
“Where’s Takeru? Did something happen?”
Taichi held up his hands. “Takeru’s fine. Or, he is, mostly. But I think,” Taichi’s gaze flicked to the new children and Yamato watched them all scour the ground. “Something’s going on. Between them and Takeru.”
“With Takeru?” Yamato repeated incredulously. “Are we talking about the same kid? My brother gets along with anyone.”
“I know,” Taichi murmured. “I think that’s why they’re worried.”
Yamato mulled that over, jaw clenching before he took a seat, indicating for the others to do the same. “So tell me, what’s going on?”
And so they did, Daisuke taking the lead but Miyako jumping in from time to time. Hikari and Ken made the occasional addition, more to refute or soften something Daisuke said. Iori was silent, just watching them all. The more they spoke though, the more Yamato understood and a quick glance Taichi’s way showed he knew the issue as well. Yamato sighed, dropping his head into his hands.
“I should have expected this.”
Daisuke sat up straighter while Taichi lay a hand on his back. “I should have too. We were both there.”
Yamato sent him a commiserating smile before levelling the others with a look. “I’m not here to tell you Takeru’s story. And I won’t tell you all of it but…look. Takeru’s used to holding Patamon because I think he got used to holding his DigiEgg.”
Hikari gasped, Miyako going pale. Ken’s grip on Minomon tightened.
“And unfortunately,” Taichi continued grimly. “Takeru got introduced to Patamon’s DigiEgg right after he Digivolved for the first time. You can see how the dots line up.”
Daisuke ran a hand down his face. “I must look like such a jerk to him. I’ve said some really mean things to him without knowing the full story. I had no idea Takeru had gone through something like that.”
“I understand now why he has a fear of Digivolving,” Iori added. “And I’m sure seeing V-Mon and Wormmon return to their baby levels didn’t help.”
Yamato nodded. “Yeah, if the two of you were able to Jogress and Takeru came face to face with Poyomon, I’m not sure what he’d do.”
“It’s not just Takeru,” Miyako realised. “It’s Patamon too. He’s been apologising to Iori as well. I guess they feel the same as each other.”
“So even Patamon was affected,” Taichi said, rolling his soccer ball back and forth with his foot.
“I guess we should have looked into this a little more,” Yamato murmured. He then shook his head, getting to his feet. “Leave Takeru to me. I’ll have a chat with him and see what I can do. I know that deep down, Takeru really does want to help. He knows what he has to do, it’s just finding the courage to do it.”
Taichi held his fist out, Yamato bumping their fists together. It looked as though sometimes they older kids were still needed after all.
***
Pushing open the front door, Yamato couldn’t help but grin at the smell of burnt meat wafting out from the kitchen. Tip-toeing down the hallway, he snuck up until he was right behind his dad before poking him in the side and sending him flying.
“What are you cooking Dad? Smells good!”
Hiroaki grumbled, scraping the charred remains into the bin and passing the frypan over to Yamato. Yamato laughed, restarting the meal and giving his dad a - mostly - sympathetic look.
“You were out late; go somewhere special?”
“Nah, just met up with some of those new Digidestined.”
Hiroaki frowned, something that made Yamato frown in turn. “Those new kids aren’t giving Takeru any grief, are they?”
That had Yamato putting the fry pan down. He turned to face his dad fully, arms folding tightly. “Alright Dad, spill. What do you know about Takeru that I don’t? Cause that’s a suspiciously specific question.”
Dinner was pushed aside as Hiroaki sat down with Yamato at the dining table. He repeated the conversation he’d had with Takeru a few weeks ago. It lined up with what Yamato had heard from the other Children. Leaving his dad with the local take out place’s menu, Yamato headed over to Takeru’s apartment. Hoping their mum wasn’t home, that hope was dashed when she opened the door not even seconds after he’d knocked. Her expression turned quizzical at seeing him there.
“Oh, hello Yamato. Is everything alright?”
He jammed his hands into his pockets. “Is Takeru in? I need to talk to him.”
Natsuko gave a single nod. “He’s in his room but he was supposed to be doing homework so-”
“Relax, I won’t be that long,” Yamato cut in, kicking his shoes off and letting himself into the second door. Natsuko huffed as she made her way to the kitchen but Takeru looked over from his desk. Yamato raised an eyebrow at the intricate block city his brother was creating. “Some homework.”
Takeru flushed but swivelled his chair around enough to see him, patting his bed with a hand. “It’s not like you to just pop by.”
“It isn’t,” Yamato admitted, running a hand through his hair. “But your friends are worried and I think you know why.”
Takeru hid behind his hair. Patamon looked equally as ashamed.
Yamato reached out, nudging Takeru’s foot with his own. “Hey, I’m not here to get on your case. I know your reasons - both of you - and I get it. And, when it comes down to it, you’ll do what needs to be done. I just wanted to let you know that I’m always here for you, in whatever way you need. Hell, I can even come with you to the Digital World if you want. Provide some of that big brother support!”
He’d meant it mainly as a joke but it stopped being funny when Takeru looked up at him with wide eyes. “You’d…come with us? You don’t think that’d be me being babyish?”
Yamato’s eyes narrowed. “Who said that? Was it Daisuke?”
“I never said that!” Takeru flailed, groaning when Yamato laughed. “But could you? Come?”
Yamato pulled Takeru into his arms, Patamon squawking when he was crushed between them. “Always. You don’t even have to ask.”
Takeru grinned, squeezing him tightly once more before letting go. Patamon looked all too relieved at that, moving to a safe space on the bed and curling up. Takeru watched him fondly and Yamato smiled at the pair of them. They were an awesome team. Yamato got to his feet, ruffling Takeru’s hair before making for the door.
“You call me, got it?”
“I will. I promise.”
And he would.
***
Takeru could feel it, could feel Iori’s heartbeat alongside his and he knew what that meant. Patamon clearly did so as well, sending Takeru a look before nodding. Takeru nodded back though he flung an arm out. Yamato was right there beside him, taking his hand and gripping it tightly.
“You’ve got this little brother.”
Takeru grinned. “You’re right. And even if I don’t, Patamon does!”
“You said it!”
***