Author's Note:

Intro: This fic takes place a few years after the last episode minus the whole 'everyone gets Digimon and married and becomes astronaut space ninja pirates for some reason' part. I use the Japanese names. I do enjoy the American names and have watched both Dub and Sub, but honestly, the children are Japanese and it takes place in Japan. I don't know why they needed to change the names in the first place.

About fic: This fic was written over the course of several –several- years. It has been edited, re-written, edited, hard edited, and torn apart time and time again. This fic is completed and has been edited to the best of my abilities. I'm sure there are still typos and errors… For this, I apologize and hope you can overlook them and see past them to the beauty of the story as a whole.

This fic often deviates from the actual cannon and timeline. I hope you will follow me on this adventure and find my own cannon acceptable.

I hope you enjoy. Please review.

- – -

Chapter 01: Straw

Wormmon was worried. This was a normal event and anyone who knew the little Digimon would have been concerned if he went a full day without being worried.

He worried when it rained and the wind blew just a tad bit harder than normal. He worried when someone sneezed or their back popped if they stretched. He worried when dinner was laid out and it looked like there might not be enough food for everyone to have an equal share. He worried when he worried too much and that made him worry even more.

Above all else, he worried the most about Ken.

With their past, no one could blame the small Digimon. The past was something that felt like another life time, but every now and then he could feel it creeping out from under the bed.

Over the years, Ken had done a remarkable job of keeping the past from his mind. He had been forgiven and done his best to repent for the crimes he committed in the Digital World, and he had even forgiven himself for falling prey to those that had used him to do their evil deeds. To an outsider, Ken was healed.

Yet with the threats to the Digital World put in their place and the adventure and challenges of being 'the chosen' behind them, a new challenge had appeared that Wormmon did not know how to protect his partner from.

Life had been waiting for them on the other side of the gate and it had rushed over them before Wormmon even understood the danger was there.

A quiet sigh and soft rustling of sheets made Wormmon look up from the foot of the bed. Ken was sitting up now; his posture slumped as he starred off into the dark room.

Ken hadn't slept in three days and Wormmon didn't know what was keeping his partner going anymore. When Ken did sleep, it would only last for a short moment before he'd wake up with a jerk while gasping out shallowly.

In the past, Ken had been victim to bad dreams that would often leave him trembling as he struggled against the invisible threats in his mind that Wormmon could not help fight against. For a while the dreams had stopped and Ken had slept peacefully for the first time in years, but lately they had seemed to return with even greater force.

What worried him the most was that Ken refused to talk about them. He would simply shake his head and give Wormmon that small smile that he simply could not argue with.

Now, it seemed as though Ken had given up even trying to sleep. He would turn out the lights as a courtesy towards Wormmon and to ward off any concern his parents might have over their son's sleeping schedule.

Wormmon could see the dark circles growing under Ken's eyes. He could hear the slow heavy sighs Ken gave as he struggled to gather enough energy to do the simplest of tasks. Each breath was starting to sound painful and strained as the boy's precious energy slipped away bit by bit.

Wormmon clicked his jaws angrily. He felt so frustrated and helpless! He hadn't seen Ken this bad off since those final days as the Kaiser.

Back then, Ken would sit for hours on end just working on his plans and programs. He'd often forget what time it was as he sat in the perpetual darkness he had created for himself. But at least back then, when he had wanted to sleep, he could.

Wormmon slowly crawled across the folds in the blankets and lightly nudged Ken's hand. A slow blink then a nod signaled Ken's approval as Wormmon delicately climbed into his lap and nestled down snugly.

"Ken?" He nuzzled the hand that had started to gently stroke across his antenna.

"I know. I'm sorry. Get some sleep… I'll be fine in the morning." The tired eyes that glinted down at him told a different story.

It was clear that Ken was stressed. He was beyond stressed. He was nearing a breaking point that never seemed too far off.

This point was alarmingly familiar to Wormmon. After the initial shock of returning to life as 'Ken', the boy had struggled with the most simplest of tasks. He had seemed lost as he tried to find his place in a life that had seemingly left him behind. On many nights, he would wonder aloud if maybe things would be better if he hadn't returned from that desert.

In the end, Ken had eventually found his place in life again. It turned out that he really was a genius, just one that had to work harder than most. Slowly, his grades had climbed back up from the pits they had fallen into and his parents and teachers had once more given him approving smiles and doting compliments.

The months of struggling had come at a price. Ken was forced to limit his time with his friends and any side activities that he had enjoyed. It was hard enough as it was, trying to find time to make the long trip to go see them or join up with them on outings.

This had saddened Wormmon, not just because it meant he couldn't see his own Digimon friends, but because Ken needed his friends. They could help him forget his troubles, relax, and be happy. It just wasn't fair…

Another soft sigh made Wormmon look up. "I'll get through it. Please don't worry… It's just hard right now. Just a bad time." Ken must have seen the worried looks Wormmon was giving him.

But why did every time have to be bad for Ken? Couldn't his partner just relax for once? Take a break and have some fun?

Even Daisuke had noticed that Ken was struggling, though that was not uncommon. Daisuke had developed a sense for picking these things up that even Wormmon had been amazed at. Daisuke had instructed Ken to stop worrying. To take a break when he needed it and forget about all that pressure and just enjoy himself.

Ken had simply smiled in that way that he had and said that he couldn't afford to yet. That there was just too much he had to do.

Wormmon understood that Ken had expectations. Ken had explained them to him on numerous occasions. They sounded important and terribly complicated, and to Wormmon, often unnecessary. He wished that just once his partner would listen to the other boy and forget all of that from time to time.

To top things off, a school break was approaching. Rather than looking forward to a period without all that extra stress, Ken had seemed to go into over drive as he spent hours digging through books and papers and various other sources while muttering about tests, quizzes, papers, assignments, projects and finals.

The calendar alone was weighed down with red and black ink filling in each little square with due dates and carefully laid out plans. Just trying to keep track of everything was enough to Make Wormmon's head hurt.

He didn't understand what all of this was for, but it seemed terribly important to his Ken, even though it also seemed to be making his partner more and more stressed out.

Curiously, one day on the calendar had been circled in black ink with one word written across it in Ken's meticulously neat handwriting.

Osamu.

That was one word that Wormmon understood. It was something that was always said with a hushed whisper and a small smile.

He had asked Ken about that date earlier and had been met with a clipped response that carried more pain than he could understand.

"That was Osamu's birthday."

He hadn't asked about it again. Ken had told him all about his brother before. Explained that when humans disappeared they didn't get reconfigured and come back, they stayed gone.

In the early years, Ken used to cry out for Osamu in his sleep. Sometimes he could still hear that small fragile voice screaming out with a pain and fear that made Wormmon's antenna droop just thinking about it.

After all these years and all the healing that had taken place, Ken still blamed himself.

Even after his parents had accepted their new Ken and welcomed him home with loving tears of joy, Ken still couldn't let go.

This was something that Ken had believed with complete conviction for far too many years. He was simply too young to understand back when it had happened and even now, his memories were far too sketchy to make sense of it.

Ken had never talked much about the accident. Wormmon didn't have the heart to watch as Ken tried to relive it. Even Daisuke hadn't pushed the matter when he'd stumbled on it once with the usual Daisuke grace.

Wormmon sighed heavily and turned over in his partner's arms, gently hugging Ken.

There was no hesitation as the quiet boy gently wrapped his arms around his partner and pulled him closer with a hidden desperation.

The little green Digimon wished that Daisuke was here. Now there was something that Wormmon understood.

He wasn't a brilliant digimon, but he knew how to pay attention. Especially when Ken talked or did anything.

It was easy to see that Ken loved Daisuke. Love was something Wormmon understood. He loved Ken, after all. Even more, it was easy to see that Daisuke loved Ken in return. It just seemed so natural for them, though they had never talked about it.

It was some unspoken rule that Ken had silently enforced anytime Daisuke or anyone tried to bring up the topic of love. Ken had always gone silent, his jaw clenched tightly with a utter determination until the topic was dropped.

Wormmon had asked Ken once why he and Daisuke never talked about love the way that Miyako always did, or why they never showed affection like Takeru and Hikari. It was easy to tell that Daisuke wanted to, but was simply waiting for Ken.

"It's complicated." Ken had responded while he lightly patted Wormmon on the head. A standard Ken answer for matters that he didn't feel like elaborating on.

"But Daisuke wants to! Veemon said so! He loves you, Ken." Wormmon had pressed in a rare moment of protest. This was a topic that was important to him.

Ken had smiled with the kind of gentle smile that could warm the little Digimon's heart. "I know."

"You should tell him, Ken! It would make him so happy!" The smile had disappeared then.

"I can't." And the topic had been dropped.

Ken still hadn't talked to Daisuke about it. Just one more stress that was slowly eating away at the boy.

Just a few weeks ago, Wormmon had been sure that Ken would finally breech the subject. His heart had leapt with joy at the possibility that Ken could finally have what he wanted and so desperately needed, but then the conversation had taken a turn that had made his head hurt.

Daisuke had stumbled full force into a long and confusing talk about how he had first felt about Hikari. It had been a story full of metaphors that didn't make sense, analogies that seemed to go no where, and half finished thoughts that he seemed to hope that Ken could fill in for him.

After a confusing half an hour filled with Daisuke trying to sort out what it was he was really trying to say and what he was actually saying, Ken had held up his hand to stop the babbling boy and asked him just what he was talking about.

Daisuke had been flustered as he tried to sort it out in his head. "Ken… When I thought I loved Hikari, I think I was just trying to find someone to care about. I'd never really had anyone like that before and all I wanted was for someone to care about me too. I think I just needed a connection to something that was better and more important than me. I don't remember when it happened exactly, but I realized that I didn't need that anymore. It was kinda desperate, you know? And suddenly I had something else that I wanted and I moved on. There's something better and I want to care for it more than anything…"

There was silence as Ken seemed to be working through those words and breaking them down to find their real meaning. At last, Ken had responded quietly. "I used to feel the same way. Wanting someone to notice me."

Wormmon and Veemon had clung to each other hopefully as they thought for sure that this would be it. Their partners would finally find what they needed and wanted and they could stop playing this horrible waiting game.

Their hopes crashed as the moment ended abruptly. "It wasn't very healthy in the end."

Ken had changed the subject quickly after that, refusing to elaborate any further. Daisuke had looked confused and maybe even a little hurt, though he hadn't tried to bring it up again.

Wormmon wasn't sure he had understood either Daisuke's attempt at connecting or Ken's response, but he was starting to worry.

When it was all over and Daisuke had gone home, he had tried to make sense of it. "Why didn't you tell him, Ken?"

"One stress at a time, my friend. One at a time…" He was starting to wonder if maybe Ken was afraid.

Wormmon couldn't understand what was to be afraid of. Daisuke was his friend, after all. They had been partners for a long time and they had a connection that was so much more than anything he had ever seen before. Humans could be so complicated sometimes…

Now, as Ken clutched at his partner, Wormmon felt his own fear wash over him. How much longer could Ken go on like this?

Slowly, Ken shifted and lay back on the bed once more, still clutching Wormmon to his chest.

The hand that was stroking his antenna started to slow and grow heavier till it finally stopped and settled on his back heavily.

Wormmon froze, afraid to move and wake the boy from his much needed sleep.

It didn't last long. Barely five minutes later and Ken was tossing in his sleep.

It was with a heavy heart that Wormmon finally gave in and saved his friend from his own nightmares.

A gentle nudge and tap was all it took for Ken's eyes to fly open as his breathing labored in a struggle to even out again.

Tears threatened to well up in those dark eyes as he lay there, gasping and trembling. The dreams were getting worse.

A quick glance at the clock settled it as Ken slowly sat up and slid off the side of his bed. He sat at his desk and flicked on the side lamp while moving to pull out a few books from the many shelves that lined the wall.

"Sleep, Wormmon. I'll be fine. I have some homework that I need to finish."

Wormmon watched the frail figure slouched over his desk for a while before his own weary eyelids started to droop.

He struggled to stay awake, wanting desperately to be there for Ken, but he was tired too…

Slowly, he gave in and curled up in the still warm blankets and fell asleep.

- – -

Ken felt like crying.

He felt like screaming and kicking and throwing the biggest temper tantrum of his life.

He felt like a little child that just couldn't fall asleep no matter how much he wanted to. Laying there, watching the clock tick forward and feeling the frustration build with each change of the numbers.

He hadn't felt like that since he was in elementary school when he used to toss and turn, rolling over and crying in pure frustration as he half hoped to cry himself to sleep.

It was on nights like that when Osamu would appear at his bedside to rub his back and comfort him.

He could still hear his brother's words in the back of his mind if he was quiet enough.

"Stop forcing it, Kenny boy. The more you reach for it, the further away it's going to get. Some things just have to happen on their own."

"But it feels so horrible!"

"I know… It feels like giving up, doesn't it? Sometimes you have to give up and lose to win, Ken."

It had taken years before Ken finally understood what Osamu had been telling him. The day he had understood had been the day he had ceased to be the Kaiser.

The younger Ken would protest and Osamu would just smile and gently rub his back in even circular motions till eventually, Ken would fall asleep without even realizing it.

But Osamu wasn't here. Osamu would never be here again.

It was on nights like these that Ken missed him the most.

He looked over at the bed, relieved to see that Wormmon was asleep. Ken felt terrible for keeping his partner awake with his lack of a proper sleeping schedule; it couldn't be healthy for the small Digimon.

He wondered if maybe he should arrange for Wormmon to spend the night somewhere else for just a short while. Just so he wouldn't have to worry about Ken's growing insomnia.

Glancing at the calendar he breathed out slowly. Just for a day or two. That would be all that he needed. Just till he could relax and stop worrying… The little Digimon needed a break. Maybe a sleepover with Veemon or some time with the others… He was already putting it together carefully. It would be easy to do without raising any suspicions or worrying the others.

Of course the hardest part would be in convincing Wormmon. He never liked to leave Ken's side and was even more stubborn about it when he thought Ken was suffering. It hurt to realize just how loyal Wormmon was and always had been to him. His partner had given everything just to protect Ken and the very thought of just what that meant scared him.

He would have to be firm and insist that Wormmon needed this. That Ken needed this. Just a short time to fully focus on his work. That Ken would be alright without him there for just a couple of days.

He would have to lie.

The week was still young, and he would have liked to let Wormmon stay away till Friday was over and done with, but he knew that just a day away would be pushing it. He might be able to bargain for two days or even three if there was the promise of spending time with Veemon and the others.

He set aside his school work and tried not to think about an upcoming test and paper that he desperately needed to do well on in order to keep his passing grade. A test that he honestly didn't think he could pass and a paper that he didn't fully understand.

Ken ignored the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach as he closed his eyes and tried to fight back the exhaustion. Sleep would not come tonight. He distantly wondered if it would ever come again.

Pulling out his D3, he quickly typed out a message to everyone, trying not to sound as desperate as he really was.

"The break is just ahead of us and I'm sure everyone is completely loaded down with homework and last minute assignments (Daisuke, you had better not be slacking!). I'm sure all of our Digimon are tired of sitting around watching us study or waiting for us to come home from school. Wormmon needs some fresh air and I'm sure we could all use just a couple of hours to get away from our study books. Would anyone object to having the Digimon camp out in the Digital World till we can get all of our school work out of the way? When the break is here, we can all meet up there again and relax. Let me know. –Ken."

It wasn't his most eloquent message, but he had wanted to keep it light with promises of fun and friends spending time together. Sleep loss was starting to take a serious toll on his communicating abilities, among other things. He'd almost turned in a math paper the other day where he'd declared that Pi was four. Genius or not, the world just wasn't ready for that kind of a breakthrough.

A tired hand slowly ran through his hair as he hit send. Maybe they'd read his pathetic message and take the hint.

It was Tuesday and almost six in the morning, he'd have to get ready for school soon. Needless to say, he was deeply surprised when he got a reply barely a minute later.

"I agree! Gatomon has informed me that if I wake her up to study at this hour one more time, she'll make kitty litter out of my books. Take care, Hikari."

At least someone else was losing sleep, he thought. Though he suspected that she was just a morning person.

An hour later of him starring at his books and he'd gotten three other replies. Takeru had liked the idea and had even suggested a nice place for them to meet up.

Iori had politely responded with a time. He apparently didn't approve of his little partner sitting around all day waiting for him without any fresh air or exercise. The little Kendo Champion in the making was probably ready to go crazy himself with all the sitting around; if Iori was even capable of going crazy.

Miyako had quickly responded with an offer to provide some of the food to tide over the little bottomless pits till it was time for them to return home. Her own little partner was apparently in danger of being used as a replacement for a stress ball that had recently suffered 'a rather untimely demise' and was eager to get away for a short while.

Ken was just getting ready to leave for school when he finally received a response from Daisuke.

It was a private response directed to him.

"What the hell are you doing awake at this hour? You'd better not be studying! I thought I told you to take it easy and get some sleep! Of course I'm not slacking. I don't know who you were thinking of. I never slack. I'm practically the next professor of Algebra! Go ahead; ask me what 'i' stands for!"

Ken smiled at this, his eyes watering up slightly as his tired body and mind were briefly flooded with emotions that he refused to examine.

The note continued, Daisuke's voice narrating loudly in his head. "Anyways, I think it's a great idea! If Veemon asks me why I have to solve for X instead of V again I think I'll eat my book. I've got a hell of a test tomorrow. I swear my teacher has it out for me! Stop thinking so much and I'll see you tonight! –Daisuke."

He's probably just now waking up. Ken smiled to himself and quickly typed out a reply.

"What, me thinking? I honestly think you must have me mistaken for someone else. You're going to be late. You'd better hurry!"

His heart ached as he sent out the message and said goodbye to his still sleeping little partner.

It was time for school.

- – -

Daisuke let out an overly dramatic sigh. It had been a long day at school and he just couldn't seem to keep his mind focused. He kept thinking back to the early morning message he'd gotten from Ken.

The wording had been so… Un-Ken-like. Maybe the others wouldn't notice, but he sure did.

Daisuke considered himself a sort of 'Ken specialist'. There were times where he could swear that he knew Ken better than Ken knew Ken.

To him, the early morning message had just sounded so very tired. So desperate.

The others had agreed with Ken on the idea of giving their Digimon a break. They simply saw it as someone thinking about their partner's comfort and getting through their own school work. Even he could agree that Veemon needed some fresh air and the comfort of friends.

But Daisuke could see the real reason behind that exhausted message. Ken probably needed Wormmon now more than ever, so he was doing the one thing that Ken was the best at doing. Escaping.

Daisuke also knew that Ken wasn't sleeping well at night. He could just look at the frail boy and it was painfully clear to him that something was wrong.

After all, he was the world's greatest Ken expert.

The subtle way Ken would bow his head and forget to move his hair from his eyes. The way his smile would barely reach out before it would die away once more. The slightly glassy look as Ken couldn't seem to focus his attention on anything for very long.

It was easy for Daisuke to see that Ken was withdrawing.

Daisuke kicked a rock with an angry sigh. It just wasn't fair! When was Ken going to get a break?

When was Ken going to give himself a break? That seemed like the more appropriate question.

With a frustrated sigh he kicked another rock.

"Stop picking on the poor rocks. It's not their fault that you didn't study."

Daisuke spun around so fast he nearly fell over. "Ken!"

"You're early. Is something wrong?" The good natured teasing was only a mask. His eyes had deep dark circles under them and he looked as if a light breeze could lift him up and carry him away.

"Ha ha. Nawh. I just knew you'd be early and I wanted to talk to you!" Daisuke rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

Veemon popped up and nearly tackled Wormmon in an excited hello. "Hiya! How's it going? Wasn't this the bestest idea ever? Daisuke brought cookies!"

"Those are for everyone, Veemon!"

"But Dai~suke~! I'm hungry NOW! And Wormmon's here! I was gonna share!" The little blue Digimon gave his best and most effective pout.

"Alright. But only one. And give one to Wormmon!" There was a blue blur and the bag of cookies was quickly scampering off, followed by a bright and wide eyed Wormmon.

Daisuke grinned up at Ken, who looked relived to see Wormmon's energy picking up around his friend.

Daisuke bit his lower lip and coughed as he struggled to find the right way to approach the topic. He just wasn't good at these sorts of things.

"So, Ken! …How are you sleeping? Is it getting better?" He might as well just plow into it like he normally did.

There was a heavy sigh and Ken looked away. "I'm okay, Daisuke. I just… I have a lot on my mind right now and there's so much to do… So much pressure. I have a paper due Friday and I've only written half of it. I just can't afford to fail any of the tests coming up either. It's just the usual school problems we all get. You know how it is."

Daisuke wasn't buying any of it. He felt the hot flame of determination build in him as he looked his friend over.

"Bull honky! You look like you're about to pass out! I doubt that you can even take tests like this, let alone do well on them! You're…" A heavy pause as he searched for the elegant way to put this. "You need to stop pushing yourself so hard! Stop forcing it! I don't care what your parents or teachers or anyone says. This 'pressure' isn't worth it. Sometimes you just need to let things happen, Ken. Let them happen on their own, you know? Stop pushing it. Even if you do fail… This can't be healthy for you."

Great. I've probably just made things worse… He couldn't remember the last time he'd yelled at Ken, but he just couldn't stand to see his friend suffer like this.

Ken stared at him with wide eyes. "Even if I fail…?"

"Yeah. You don't always have to be Mr. Perfect. You know that. I know that it hasn't been easy for you with school and all, but look at me! I don't always get good grades and I'm doing just fine!"

"Always?"

"Okay. Hardly ever get good grades. But I get by. You're like a super A plus plus plus student and you can afford to take it easy and rest now and then…"

This isn't exactly how I had pictured this speech going…

There was a slight look to Ken's eyes now. Like he was silently arguing with himself before he argued aloud. It was a familiar look now that Daisuke thought about it.

Ken was about to say something when the others started to arrive. His mouth snapped shut with an audible snap and he looked away. Just like that, the conversation was instantly closed with the famous Ichijouji avoidance silent treatment tactic.

Great! Now I've not only managed to piss him off, but I think I hurt his feelings too! Stupid Daisuke! Stupid stupid stupid!"

He made a promise to himself to make it up to Ken later.

The others didn't seem to notice as Ken stood by the sidelines. They were all stressed out about their own upcoming tests and schoolwork. They greeted each other, talking about their classes and confirming their assignments and making sure that they weren't missing anything important.

It must seriously suck for Ken… Not having a friend in his classes to talk to. Not having anyone to reassure him that he passed the tests and that he had all the assignments down…

Sometimes he just wanted to pull Ken away from that school. To pull him away from whatever it was that was hurting Ken and wrap him up in a protective bubble with a sign: Handle with care.

If anything or anyone needed to be handled with care, it was Ken. He deserved it after everything he'd been through. Everything he was still going through. It just wasn't fair!

Daisuke bounced slightly in place before he ran over to the group and instantly took up the role that he knew Ken needed him to have. A distraction. A way out.

He cut in with his loud remarks and crazy antics; all just so Ken could stop thinking for just a few minutes.

Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Ken the whole time. For the briefest of moments, Ken was smiling as he watched the performance. It seemed to be working until the smile once more disappeared and Ken was once again thinking.

Daisuke sighed inwardly as Ken seemed to be sinking away from them. He graciously let the spotlight move away as the attention slipped to someone else while he moved to stand next to Ken.

"I'm sorry about what I said earlier. I was just talking and you know me. Mouth keeps going and the brain isn't listening. I just get so upset watching them pile all that crap on you, you know? Your school is so hard and you're trying so hard and nobody else sees it…" Daisuke laughed slightly. "See? There I go again. You know what I mean. I'm sorry… I didn't mean to upset you."

Ken looked at him, and for just the briefest of moments, he was completely open. His soul was exposed for Daisuke to see and touch and cradle close to his heart. It was a look that was pure Ken. "I know… You don't have to apologize. I think I needed it. I just… I just need this week to be over."

And then that moment was gone and Ken closely closed back in on himself. "I'll be okay."

It was only Tuesday… But maybe things would be alright come Friday. It was hopeful, but Daisuke had to believe that things would be okay. "Okay." A silly grin that he knew Ken loved slowly spread over his face. "You still owe me a soccer game. Friday night! Your place!"

Ken hesitated then nodded. Just like that, he was suddenly shy quiet Ken again. "Okay… But don't expect me to go easy on you…"

It had been a while since Daisuke had slept over with Ken. Not since that botched attempt to discuss his true feelings with Ken.

It had to have been the single worst attempt to get things out in the open he had ever been a part of. Daisuke had meant to not only lay everything out in the open between them, but to make things progress in a more favorable direction. He had planned to give this long declaration of hope and love and feelings and romance and all the good things between them… But just one look at Ken and all those long hours of practice in front of the mirror had gone down the drain as he suddenly lost sight of everything and failed miserably.

He'd laughed then and brushed it off. Ken just wasn't ready. It was as simple as that, and he really wasn't surprised. After all, he could read Ken like a book.

It wasn't till after Daisuke had returned home and reflected on that conversation that he'd thought to check the footnotes of that particular chapter in the big book of Ken.

Ken did care for him and certainly liked him… Maybe even more. The first time Daisuke had realized this, it had been scary. More than scary. In fact it was downright terrifying. Just the thought of having those eyes on him like that… Those ever watchful soul seeking eyes…

If Daisuke, the child of courage, had been that scared of such a thought then why was it so hard to imagine that Ken might be just a little scared too?

Once he'd thought of it in those terms, it was easy to look back and recall all those secret yet not so secret looks Ken would often give him from time to time… Or the way Ken had tried to avoid his friendship initially and how he had responded when Daisuke just wouldn't let him.

As Daisuke had started to accept and understand his own feelings towards his best friend, partner, and so much more… A fire had ignited in his soul. And with anything that Daisuke was passionate about, he had wanted nothing more than to shout it to the world. To grab Ken and never let him go while declaring that he loved Ken Ichijouji.

The problem was that he just wasn't sure that Ken was ready to hear it yet. Even though he knew that Ken did care about him in return, it was clear that Ken just needed more time to accept it for himself first.

Daisuke's brow furrowed at this. Maybe there were a few pages in the big book of Ken that were written in only Ken language or something, but he was going to learn that language and speak it fluently someday!

Daisuke blinked as he suddenly realized he'd been starring intently at Ken for several minutes now.

Ken ducked his gaze down with a blush as Daisuke flushed and rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. Secretly, Daisuke loved those shy Ken looks. He found himself trying to catch them more and more…

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft sigh as Ken shifted and looked down at his watch. Here was a page that Daisuke could read easily.

Ken was ready to leave. It was getting late and he probably had a mountain of homework to lose more sleep over. He hated it. Loathed it.

But Ken had a point… The faster he got through it all, the faster the break would get here and the faster Ken would be sound asleep curled up next to him if he had anything to say about it.

He suddenly flailed his arms to attract the attention back onto himself once again. Moments like these made him feel like Ken's knight in shining armor.

"Awe crap! I have a test tomorrow in English and I haven't even read the chapter that it's over yet!"

All eyes were on him. Ken looked surprised before a rare smile flashed across his face.

"I told you to read ahead, Daisuke." A silent 'thank you'.

"I know… I know… But I just got distracted with other things!" A silent 'you're welcome. Now go home and rest.'

The others slowly collected themselves and nodded as thy mumbled about homework and chores.

They all said goodbye to their Digimon with promises to see them again in better spirits in just a few short days.

"You behave yourself, Veemon! And share the cookies!"

"What cookies?"

"….You had better not have eaten all those cookies yourself! You'll get a stomach ache!"

"I didn't eat them all! I shared with Wormmon like you told me too!"

Daisuke rolled his eyes and hugged his partner. To the side, Ken was also quietly saying goodbye.

Daisuke watched discretely as a few quiet words were exchanged and Ken held the small green Digimon to his chest like child might clutch a teddy bear after a bad dream. The exchanged was finalized with an even tighter hug between the two that Daisuke found himself wishing he could have been a part of.

"We'll be back Friday night. If you have any problems you contact me, okay? Now go have some fun!" Daisuke smiled as he watched Veemon bounce around his friends excitedly.

When he finally turned back around, Ken was already gone.

- – -

Disclaimer: Digimon is owned by various other entities that are not me. I am in no way making money off of this and am strictly using the characters and world for my own fan based fiction.