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the-digimon-tamer · 5 years

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Chapter 21 - Always Ours, Never Yours are out now on FanFiction.Net and ArchiveOfOurOwn! Check them out with the links or find it after the break!

Title: The Tamer v2.0 - In HIs Name

Fandom: Digimon

Rating: T

Synopsis: In the next adventure of the Digimon Tamer, the lives of Juri, Rika, and Henry change forever when digimon begin crossing over into the human world. But it’s all just a story, right? Just a book series by an author no one has seen in a long time. Why are they here and can they save their world before something worse follows the digimon?

Chapter 21: Always Ours, Never Yours

Yamaki wanted to feel happy for Izumi, finally seeing his wife and daughter for the first time in a long time. However, there were urgent matters pressing in the back of his mind that he knew took precedent over this. And the sooner they got out of here the better. From the moment his wife hugged him, Izumi never once let go of her. He noticed a girl standing in the entry way too - a girl with red hair tied into a pony tail that resembled a pineapple. Presumably his daughter.

He'd seen her somewhere before - where?

As he tried to recall, he could vaguely hear Izumi's wife asking where he'd been and what happened to him. He couldn't hear whatever answer Izumi gave, but it made his wife walk up to him and slap him across the face. That cold hard smack was something new to Yamaki - he'd never been slapped by anyone's wife before. Her fury was clear on her face too, "How fucking dare you."

"Mom," their daughter gasped from the entry way, just as her mom raised her fist to slap him again. He was on his guard this time and caught her wrist before she could, "Don't do that again."

This close, he could get a better look at her. She was very familiar, but he couldn't quite place it either. The stress must've been affecting his mind if he couldn't place face right now. Then Izumi called out to his wife, "Mimi, it's okay."

"Your leg is missing," she cried angrily, trying to break her hand free to give him another slap. Yamaki wasn't going to let that happen but stayed on guard in case she did something else. Like plant her shoe firmly where it didn't belong. Trying his best to remain calm, he warned her, "If you want your wrist back, you're going to have to let me go. Or I can take you in for assaulting a government employee."

She still glared at him but she stepped back. He let go of her hand and she took the wheelchair from him, "We're getting you inside. Come on."

Yamaki checked his watch and reminded the man, "We don't have time for a lengthy visit, Izumi. We have a time table to stay on. Keep it short."

He paused when his wife turned to glare daggers into him. He'd seen a lot of things in his time, but this woman was enough to unnerve him. There was...an anger or coldhearted ruthlessness in them. He mused at the old saying 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.' He didn't want to find out what the other end of that fury was, but the fact that she slapped him was not a good sign. Who knows where else she would go if pushed. He checked his watch and added, "Twenty minutes."

"As long as he'd like," she fired back furiously.

He had to stay firm though. No more. That didn't make the daggers in her eyes any less threatening. She eventually turned back around to pushing her husband through the threshold. He had to stay close though and began to follow them inside. The daughter seemed to mind her distance from both parents, which he made a mental note of. Maybe her dad's absence affected her in some way. He felt compelled to ask her if they'd met before, but realized that would come off as really weird and creepy. Then he saw everyone else peering out into the entry way. There was a murmur of excitement and confusion as Izumi was quickly surrounded by what must've been his friends. Then he realized who they were: the digidestined. The ones he'd been having a hard time tracking down.

And worst of all was who was right there with them. That goggle wearing boy in the hoodie. The boy looked at him and smiled, "Oh, it's you. Sunglasses! What are you doing here? And why do you have...was it Dizzy?"

"I could ask you the same question," Yamaki replied, crossing his arms to hide the fact that he was trying to reach for his gun. If this kid was here, that meant the other kids here were also the kids who'd been interfering with his operations. How did he miss this? Of course they were connected! The digidestined had been kids when they got involved in this mess the first time. Why wouldn't there be new kids now?

He paused as he realized how ludicrous that sounded. The 'digidestined' were kids during an event that happened only a few years ago. But as quickly as that concern came, he pushed it out of his mind to focus on his situation. If the goggle wearing boy tried anything again, he intended to pull the trigger this time. Izumi looked at the boy, "Who's this?"

Miss Kamiya replied, "Izzy! This is The Digimon Tamer."

"I'm kinda going by Takato right now," he answered sheepishly, before going to shake Izumi's hand, "I remember you being taller Izzy. Have you done something different?"

"I'm in a wheel chair," Izumi replied rather dryly, turning the wheels of his chair to face Takato. Takato examined him more carefully, "Sorry, memory's still kinda fuzzy. Oh, I see! You lost a leg. That's not really a good look, y'know. You looked better with two. Am I being rude? I'm being rude, aren't I?"

Izumi frowned, examining the boy carefully, "Yes. Besides, if we're talking about appearances, you're the one who's got a whole new face…among other things. It is you, right?"

Takato's smile grew wide, "Yep, reformatted. Head's still a little fuzzy though. There's been a lot going on and-"

"Shut up. We'll talk later," Izumi said calmly, raising a hand to silence the boy. Yamaki was taken aback by how quickly he silenced the boy, unaware that Izumi was capable of showing enough backbone to not only stand up to him, but to a boy who talked down a man with a gun. He turned his chair again to face his wife, staring deeply into her eyes with a longing look. They looked at each other for the longest hand, taking her hand in his and sheepishly saying, "Mimi...I'm sorry for everything. I wanted to see you, I really did. But-"

"We...we can talk about this later," Mimi answered, pressing a finger to his lips, "Welcome home. And go say hi to your mom already. She's been just as worried as I am."

"In a moment," he turned his wheelchair towards his daughter. She'd been oddly silent since they arrived and he wasn't sure what to make of it. But Yamaki wasn't interesting in any of this family drama. He was only interested in Izumi, the rest of the adults, and possibly this Takato kid. He stepped to the side to address Takato only to be stopped by a tall man in a business suit under a trench, "I don't think we've met. Who are you exactly?"

"You can call me Yamaki," he nodded towards the man, eyeing him up carefully. Going by the look on his face, he concluded the man was likely someone worked in the realm of law. He wasn't clean shaven enough to be a lawyer, which meant either private detective. And that meant, "You must be Ken Ichijouji. We've been trying to find you for a while. You're very difficult to find."

Ichijouji had moved a hand inside his coat pocket since he'd stopped Yamaki and that made him nervous. Nervous enough to keep his hand on his gun. Ichijouji was reaching for something, probably his own gun, but he offered a kind smile to calm him down, "A guy in my line of work doesn't live long if he doesn't learn how to disappear or be careful. Would you mind taking your hand off that gun? The last thing any one wants is to make an unnecessary mess. We can talk."

"How about you take your hands out of your pocket first?" Yamaki wasn't about to back down and kept his hand on his gun. He only broke eye contact when Takato called out, "Oi! No killing guys. Come on. We have enough problems without you two trying to see who's the better shot. As far as I care, you're a horrible shot anyway Sunglasses. As for you, Wotkin. I thought you were better than this. When did you start carrying a gun?"

"It's Ken," Ichijouji corrected. The boy smacked his head, "Right, right. Ken. And um…who are you again? I know you pointed the gun at me but I don't remember ever getting your name."

Yamaki could feel the eyes on him now as every adult reacted to that statement. Some were clearly upset, but a handful seemed jealous. He kept his cool and calmly introduced himself, "It's Yamaki."

"Yamaki. Okay, Yamaki," Takato folded his arms, "Why are you here and why are you after all the digimon?"

Yamaki could already feel his problems compounding just from the boy talking. The other adults were looking at him again and one of them asked, "What do you mean by that?"

"That's classified," he answered quickly, wanting to end this conversation quickly. Unfortunately, Takato already began to answer, "He and a bunch of other guys have been running around the city, capturing digimon for some reason. I don't know why though. Also, what were you doing with Dizzy?"

"Izzy."

"That's what I said…I think," Takato paused. Yamaki didn't like being surrounded like this and minded his distance, "The answer is still classified."

"Hang on," a woman interrupted. He hadn't noticed her before but there was no doubt in his mind: this was Kari Kamiya - the only one he was able to track down that wasn't a high profile celebrity. She pointed at him, "I remember you. You were at my apartment. You were talking about national security and a bunch of other stuff that made no sense. What does any of that have to with Izzy? Who even are you?"

"I could tell you if you were willing to cooperate with us," he answered. He could tell they were getting mad at him and he tightened his hold on his gun. Unfortunately for him, Izumi took this chance to join the conversation, "I'll tell you guys. Could I get some of whatever Mimi made though? I can smell it from here and it smells amazing, like always."

"Cakes, cookies, brownies, and anything else you could want honey," Mimi said cheerily, helping to push her husband into kitchen. Everyone filed back into the dining room then, where Izumi's mother gasped at the sight of him. They had a tearful exchange where she berated him for disappearing and worried over his missing leg before finally letting him eat. As Izumi happily took platefuls of cookies, cakes, and scarfed it all down like he hadn't eaten before. Yamaki felt his stomach churn as he watched the man eat, making sure he was in full view of Izumi whenever one of them asked where he'd been and why he hadn't been heard from in a while. He didn't want Izumi to say too much whenever he spoke about the Hypnos Program. Although it wasn't like he could do anything about it with Ichijouji standing next to him. Thankfully, his wife was quick to shut them all down, "Give him space guys! Geez."

"It's alright," Izumi said through a mouthful of food. His wife flicked his forehead and scolded him, "No talking with your mouthful. Did you forget your manners or something?"

He forcefully swallowed what was in his mouth, and set the plate down, "The truth is I was recruited to work for...Yamaki."

He gestured towards Yamaki, carefully choosing his words, "And I'm partially responsible for all this. They wanted me to...help stop the digimon from coming through to our world. I agreed to help them but...I didn't know what kind of project it was. By the time I did, I tried to leave. But they wouldn't let me because of how classified my work was."

The more he talked, the more Yamaki wanted him to stop talking. He took a step towards the man and felt the detective grab his arm. He looked over to see the man still had his hand in his pocket.

"Izzy, what did you do?" the private detective asked, his tone indicating he was at the very least catching on. Izumi's head sank and he buried his face into his hands, "I was trying to manufacture a gate to the Digital World using the technology from our digivices - one that would pull digimon back into the Digital World. But that wasn't their plan. They wanted to kill the digimon and…I had no choice but to finish the project. It worked on test specimens…deleting any digimon that got pulled through. But there was a problem during its first official firing and the machine failed. The wormhole it created between our worlds is still open. And it's why more and more powerful digimon have been coming through."

He had seriously underestimated Izumi. A man like him would've left that part out to save face, but Izumi admitted to it despite all the guilt he felt for developing the weapon. The dark haired boy in the orange vest chose that moment to ask, "You're talking about when the top of the Metropolitan Building blew up, aren't you? That was when the first Deva came through! Mihiramon."

"Mihiramon? I don't know the name of the digimon that came through," Izumi admitted quietly, "Only that it was my responsibility."

Another man was fuming, a short haired blonde man with a muscular build hidden beneath layers of clothing. If he had to guess, this was the rockstar who was also former military - Matt Ishida. The man grunted, "Izzy, you didn't. How could you!? After everything we've been through, you just...did this."

"I'm not proud of what I did," Izumi shook quietly, trying to maintain his composure as he guiltily added, "But this is my mistake, it's my responsibility. And I will fix it."

"No you won't," Takato said sternly. It was odd to see a kid talking to adults so sternly and even weirder to see them actually listening. Takato waved his hands in the air excitedly as he talked, "We need that gate open because we need to go to the Digital World and-"

"Go? Who said anything about going to the Digital World!?" Miss Kamiya interrupted. Mimi added, "That's right! You're not going anywhere without us!"

"I meant when and why," Miss Kamiya explained, "But yes, you are taking us."

"If I can finish!" Takato yelled, pausing as he realized he raised his voice and quickly apologizing, "Sorry, I shouldn't raise my voice. Sorry. Um, we're going soon. As for the why, it to figure out what's going on the other side. Because the real question isn't how do we stop them from crossing over. The question is why? Right now, that gate you just tore open in reality might be our only way to get there and back."

"Not a chance," Yamaki finally interjected, "That hole in reality let through large and dangerous monsters. Izumi is going to close that gate the first chance he gets."

Takato shook his head, "Yamaki, if closing that gate was really going to stop all the digimon from coming through, then explain how they were coming through before the gate opened in the first place."

Yamaki paused. That was why he was recruiting the Monster Makers. But he couldn't tell them that, "That's a separate issue and we're already exploring solutions to it."

"Good, then you won't mind if we keep Izzy here," Takato asserted, "I'm sure he misses his wife and...Wait, hang on. Rika! Izzy's your dad! That just sank in. It's no wonder you noticed all the weird stuff! You took after him! He always was the smart one!"

"Oh, do you still use that name? It's so cute," Izumi smirked playfully over at his daughter who looked completely mortified now. He couldn't blame her for that. She clearly picked that name for herself to make herself sound cooler, and the adorableness or that fact must've been mortifying to her.

...

Rika felt her face flush with embarrassment. She didn't like her preferred name being called cute. And it didn't help that this happened in front of all these people. If it wasn't for the fact that they were talking about the fate of the world in their home, she would've stormed right out. She massaged her temple, "Can we go back to talking about the Digital World?"

Takato nodded, "Right, right. So, to catch you guys up on what we've been doing: we've been trying to stop as many of these digimon as we can. It hasn't been going too well because most of them would rather fight to the death. Even the stronger digimon. But we found out they're after The Catalyst, this energy source Guardians used to-"

"Guardians?" Davis repeated in confusion. Takato waved his hands as he spoke, "Sorry, Ancients. Guardians. Same thing, different names. My point is: it was sent here to hide it from something dangerous in their world. Only now they need it back, because they need it to fight whatever…is on the other side."

"You mean the Ancients?" Sora asked. Takato grew frustrated, "No, the sovereigns. The ones who sent them here. It's why all those strong digimon have started showing up! They want the catalyst back now. Which is why we're going to the Digital World. Because whatever has the Sovereigns scared should make us scared. And as long as the digimon are able to cross into this world, so can whatever terrifying beast is on the other end. Still with me? Any questions?"

After a beat, the mustachioed lawyer raised his hand, "Several: What does that have to do with our digimon disappearing? Is this related to Takeru? And why is that guy still here? Should we really be talking about this around him?"

Takato took one glance at Yamaki and shrugged, "Him? He's harmless. I think."

"Hey, I have a question: why are you all listening to him?" Yamaki asked, raising what Rika felt was the first valid question. Why were all these experienced adults listening to him? Yes, he was some important guy back in the Digital World but he seemed just as lost and confused as they were. But agreeing didn't mean she liked the guy. Everything about him made her uneasy. The adults looked between each other and one dressed like a cook explained, "When we were his age, he was the one who knew what was going on because-"

Yamaki interrupted, "I know all about your lives digidestined. I want to know why you're listening to a kid."

"Because if he's talking, it's usually a good idea to hear him out," Matt grunted, "Whether or not we want to."

Seeing Yamaki look confused as all hell was amusing to Rika in a way she couldn't express into words. Takato put a hand to his chin, "I'm not really sure what's going on right now. The important thing is we get to the Digital World and figure out from that side. I don't think the Devas are going to talk to us after last time."

"Devas? What happened last time?" her dad asked. There was a lot he had missed. And a lot more they needed to talk about. She had no intention of talking to her family about digimon before but now...there was much too talk about. Before Takato could explain, she started talking - telling them about everything that had happened up until that point of time. Included the Devas, the catalyst Calumon that could make digimon digivolve, and the number of them that had come through. She was annoyed by the fact that both of her parents and her grandmother were giving her unwanted looks of worry - she'd been doing fine before and would be doing fine long after. Her father frowned before managing a small smile, "It sounds like you guys have been busy...and a lot more effective than we've been right now."

Davis smiled approvingly, rubbing his chin, "They have their digimon partners and working digivices. It's no wonder they're able to do more than us. So when are we going to the Digital World?"

"Yeah, I'd like to see Palmon as soon as possible," her mom shrieked excitedly. Palmon...the plant digimon. The more Rika was able to think on it without getting a headache, the more concerned she became that her parents were the ditz and the geek from the digidestined books. Takato threw up his hands, "You aren't going anywhere. To be honest, I think it'd make more sense for just us with digimon to go. Our digimon can protect us. They can't protect a large group. Especially if it means we can't find your partners right away."

Whatever cool the rockstar Matt was trying to have vanished, "And why the hell not? They're not just our partners! They're our friends! If they're in danger, we're going to come to their rescue. And you better like hell believe that I'm not staying behind if my brother is in danger!"

"Matt," his wife took a hold of his hand, holding it in a comforting way. He cooled down enough for the doctor to suggest, "I hate to agree, but he's right. As much as I'd like to see Gomanon again, we'd only drag the others down. And while I'm not comfortable with leaving Takeru in danger, I feel like he's proven he can handle himself time and again."

"I'm not letting my daughter go to the Digital World alone!" her mom complained. Rika was surprised by that statement - mostly she just never expected her mother to care so deeply about anything besides fashion and modeling. The doctor pointed at her and wagged a finger, "Why not? We spent a couple of weeks trapped there, remember? We were barely any older than they are now. So what's so bad about them going alone?"

"She might die!" her mom freaked out. Then her dad took her mom's hand, squeezing it as he worriedly said, "Mimi...you're sounding like your father."

Horror. Rika never thought she'd see the day where her mom looked absolutely terrified. And it made her uncomfortable to see. Her mom shot death glares at Takato, "You're not dragging her off to get killed, you got that?"

Takato threw up his hands defensively, "I don't even know what's going on right now. How would I know if she's going to die? Between the headaches, it took me about a year to remember who I was and that was with people telling me my name was something else every hour of every day. I have no idea what's going to happen when we get there. But-"

"But what? What but are you talking about?" her mom snapped at him again. It felt nice to watch her mom snap at Takato and even better that someone else was calling him out on the stupid things he says. She wasn't prepared for his response though, and she was sure her mom felt the same way, "I was going to say 'but that doesn't mean we should stand by and do nothing'. Because sitting here and catching every digimon that comes through isn't doing anything to solve the problem. I think it's actually making it worse. And Rika doesn't seem like the kind of person who'd listen if you told her not to do something anyway."

"And what's that supposed to mean goggle head?" Rika finally spoke, noting that he took a step back nervously, "Nothing bad. Just that you don't like to be told what you can and can't do. You do what you want when you want, how you want. I mean, you just swore in front of your mom."

Rika folded her arms, smiling at what she was sure his attempt at a complement. She'd let it pass for now. Kari sighed, "So then when are you going to the Digital World and how long are you going to stay there?"

Takato's mood turned, "I don't know. A couple of days, maybe weeks? With time convoluted the way it is, I don't know how long we'll be there. It could days there but seconds here."

...

Xiaochun sung to herself as she poured some more fake tea for herself and Calumon. In truth, since she couldn't have real tea, all she poured was soda from her play set. Calumon sat in his little pink dress drinking the soda. Then she cut out pieces of cake for herself and Calumon. The tea may be fake but the sweets were real. Once she sat to eat, she asked, "So Mrs. Prissy pants, how do you like your tea?"

"It's delicious!" Calumon said excitedly. She may have missed having Terriermon around but Calumon was a lot more fun to play with. She was about to help herself to some more cake until there was a tap on her window. There was a little black imp wearing a red scarf and gloves gesturing at her to open the window. She normally wasn't allowed anywhere near the window because their apartment was so high up but he must've been a friend of Calumon. Why else would he be here?

She went over and unlocked the window, barely having the second to open it before the little imp jumped in, "It's about time. Who are you?"

"I'm Xiaochun!" she introduced herself, "Who are you?"

The little digimon grunted, "Hmph. Name's Impmon. Imma call you Suzie cos' that name o' yours is too long to remember. You's Calumon, right?"

"That's right!" the little white digimon said excitedly, "Want some tea?"

He offered a cup for Impmon, who could only look at the little digimon like he had done something wrong. Impmon sighed, "Okay, what's the matta' with you? First o' all: that ain't tea! It's soda! Second! Why are you in a dress!? If you's as tough as everyone says you are, then get outta that! It's disrespectful!"

He ripped the dress straight off little Calumon. Xiaochun felt her heart sink at the sight of watching one of her favorite dresses get ripped apart. Calumon even got teary eyed, "Oh! I liked that dress! It made me feel pretty!"

"Forget about it!" Impmon grabbed a hold of the little digimon, "I gotta get you to the monkey!"

"Monkey? What monkey?" Calumon asked, struggling to break free of Impmon's grip. Impmon scoffed and continued on towards the window, "I dunno, I can't remember the name. Some monkey. Wants to talk to ya. Said to get ya from the humans. We're going to the park! Now!"

Realizing that Impmon was going to take Calumon away, she ran in front of them and threw out her hands, "No! Calumon has to stay here with me!"

"Don't care! Beat it!" Impmon kicked her in the shin so hard that she fell on her side. That hurt so bad! Why did Impmon have to be so mean? What did she ever do to him? She looked at him with teary eyes, watching Calumon scream in protest as Impmon leapt out the window, "SHADDAP! WE"RE GOIN'!"

He leapt out the window, taking Calumon with him. Xiaochun was angry, furious at Impmon for taking right out from under her nose but also at herself. Henry said to protect him. And he would be so mad when he found out what happened. Her mind raced through all the mean things he would say to her and what bad things might happen to Calumon. And that just made her sad. Before she knew it, tears were streaming down her ears and she was bawling.

That was when the door to her room opened and her dad came in, "Xiaochun! What's wrong!?"

She wailed, "WAAGGH! DADDY! CALUMON! SOME MEAN DIGIMON SHOWED UP AND TOOK HIM!"

"Took him?" her dad noticed the window was open and went to see for himself, "There's no one out here. Dammit. We better go find him. If he's as important as Henry says he is, there's no telling what kind of trouble he'll get into."

"DADDY!" she cried out, "PLEASE DON'T BE MAD! I'M SORRY I LOST HIM."

"I'm not mad honey," he assured her, hugging her and wiping away her tears with his sleeve, "Don't worry. Everything will be fine. I just have to go find him. Stay right here and I'll be right back."

He let her go and hurried out of the room. Xiaochun sniffled, certain of her mistake and scared that a scolding was going to follow sooner or later.

...

Henry wandered away from the rest of the group, sure that he wasn't needed for the next part of the conversation and went out into the garden. He was surprised to see Rika lived in such a fancy home and wondered what her parents did to afford this kind of life. Then again, one was a government agent and the other was as pretty as a model. They were probably loaded! Terriermon stuck his head out of the bag and asked, "Henry! Can we go back inside! I want me some of those brownies!"

"We can go back in once that government guy leaves. I don't want him to see you," Henry assured his partner. As he sat there, he heard the back door slide open and saw his sensei come out to join him with the doctor. He wasn't sure how he'd missed until now that his sensei was one of the digidestined. Then again, he also missed the fact that one of the teacher's at his school was part of the team.

His sensei greeted him first, "I hope you don't mind if we join you, Henry. It's a little crowded in there and it'd be nice to get some air and clear our heads."

"No problem, sensei," he bowed in greeting. His sensei lifted his head back up, "No, we're not at the dojo right now. Out here, we're just digidestined. Or…whatever. What is your team's name?"

"We don't really have one," Henry mulled it over, scratching his head, "But we have been called Tamer a lot by the digidestined. I think it's because the digimon didn't know who we were so they kept confusing us for Tamer or Takato or whatever."

"Now that would be something," his sensei laughed, "I don't think you've met properly, this is Joe. He's a doctor and the most reliable of us."

Joe shook his hand, "Nice to meet you Henry. So how does it feel, finding out all of this real?"

"It's all very surreal. It's hard to believe all of this is still actually happening," he frowned. Joe patted his shoulder, "Don't worry. We've had this problem before. But it looks like you made the choice you needed to, though."

"Yeah," Henry nodded, "But the more involved I get, the more my family gets involved too. First my sister, now my dad. If I didn't know any better, I'd say my whole family was going to become part of this."

His sensei and Joe swapped looks, "Déjà vu, right?"

"Indeed."

"What?" Henry raised an eyebrow. Both of them laughed for a moment, chuckles turning to bursting laughter before either of them calmed down. His sensei wiped a tear from his eye, "Sorry. It's just strange how familiar this all is. In fact, that's why Matt is so worked up over Takeru. And that's before we get into the time their mom got shot. If anything ever happened to your sister, I'm sure you'd be freaking out too."

"That's not the most flattering comparison," Henry looked back in to see Matt slamming his fist on a table angrily. Terriermon only laughed, "I think it fits. He's so uptight, kinda like you. You need to relax."

"Hey! I'm not hitting things!" Henry pointed out quickly.

"Moumantai," his partner and sensei said together. Henry blinked, unaware that he was going to hear things in stereo now. He looked over at his sensei who was bursting with laughter, "Another Terriermon says it! I never thought I'd see the day!"

Something about the laughter was a little contagious, and he chuckled nervously. Terriermon patted his back, "See what I mean? So uptight. You can't even laugh properly."

Henry's laughter turned into a silent pause and his sensei patted his head, "It's okay to be anxious. the danger you're in is very real. The fact that you're taking it seriously means you'll deal with it properly. The last thing you want is to make light of it. You may do something you'll regret."

That last part was particularly alarming. What did he mean by regret? What part of the story of the digidestined did he not know. More importantly, it reminded him that his family was indeed at risk with everything going on, "What do you mean?"

"If we've learned anything over the years, it's that sometimes you do the wrong thing when you think you're in the right," the doctor explained, gesturing back into the house, "If you ever read any of Takeru's novels or seen the show, you know what I mean. Ken was the Emperor, SkullGreymon, he changed Oikawa's story but he hit the key points, and more. By being light, I didn't mean you were being light hearted about it. I meant you were contemplating things and thinking. And every group needs that voice of reason. Especially when Tamer starts getting weird."

Henry looked back inside to see Takato talking animatedly. Maybe there was a point to being the voice of reason in all of this. Then again, Rika was doing that job just fine. Still, it was nice to know that he wasn't along in being hesitant to get involved.

...

Juri listened to Takato ramble on, "As for when, that all depends on how long it takes to get the digivices to start opening gates again. Could be a few days, maybe even a week! Thankfully, we have a solution to that problem and the solution is-"

She tuned out the moment she noticed Miss Kamiya staring at him with the most curious expression. It was like she was trying to study him. She glanced back over to Takato still babbling whatever he was going on about and quietly moved her way over to their teacher, whispering to get her attention, "Miss Kamiya?"

"Hm? What is it, Juri?" she asked. Juri nodded her head at the boy, trying not to draw anyone's attention, "Are you okay, Miss Kamiya? You've been staring at Takato like you're going to punish him."

"I just might, honestly," she answered calmly, looking back over at him, "It's a very long story and I'm sure you don't want to hear about it."

Juri didn't like the sound of that and asked, "What exactly happened? You knew him a long time ago, right? Did he do something?"

She shot her a surprised look, "I thought all you kids were into digimon."

Juri felt awkward about that, "Not me. I mean, not really. I just kinda ended up a part of whatever this is. I don't know much about the card game, or the show, or the books, or any of it."

Kari nodded understandingly, "I'll keep it short. A long time ago, my brother disappeared when I was maybe four years old. The next time I saw him: four years had passed, he had no idea who I was, kept calling himself The Digimon Tamer, and he was trying to save the world from being destroyed. Then he got stuck in the Digital World. Next time I saw him, he said he couldn't meet with us because he was on the run but that he trusted us to save the world. Then he died. Now he's back, with a whole new face and name, and the world's in trouble again."

Juri felt her head spin from the explanation, glancing back at Takato with genuine surprise. She knew he called himself The Digimon Tamer but she didn't know all that about him. Rika's words in the park echoed in her mind, reminding her that she wasn't supposed to trust him. And the more she learned, the more she realized she didn't know about him. It made her dread what other secrets he could be keeping. She felt a hand squeeze her shoulder gently, "Sorry, I didn't mean to put all that on you. Just forget about it. It's my problem."

Juri contemplated telling her about what Takato had said too - that he wasn't the real Takato. Before she could, Takato and Rika's digivices went off with a loud beeping noise. At the same time, the government guy with the shades stepped out of the room to answer a call on his cell phone. The guy dressed like a cook peered at their digivices excitedly, "Whoa, what's that? Ours never did that!"

Rika examined her digivice calmly while explaining, "They do this whenever a digimon is crossing over from the other side. That's weird though - it's not saying anything is coming through."

"Maybe it's broken? Like ours are?" Miss Kamiya lifted up her digivice, "It's why we can't get to the Digital World or-"

"No, this is different," Takato turned the digivice over in his hand, "What if...oh...oh, of course!"

"What is it?" Juri hadn't seen that look before but his excitement must've meant he'd realized something. He started pacing excitedly, "The only time we've seen our digivices go off is when digimon appear. But what if the reason they go off isn't because digimon are appearing, that was just a coincidence! What if the reason they go off is because a gate is opening from the Digital World to this one! It's why it wouldn't go off whenever that thing Izzy was making would turn on."

"So what does that mean?" Rika's mom asked seriously. At that moment, Henry came back in with the doctor and the lawyer. Takato pointed at him and asked, "Where's Calumon?"

"At home with my sister. Where else would he be?" Henry answered anxiously, "You guys got it too! What's going on?"

Takato turned to Rika's mom, "Do you have a phone we could borrow?"

"In the living room," she said matter of factly, gesturing off into the house. Juri turned her head, wondering just what exactly had happened between them that caused so much animosity. Takato turned back to Henry, "Call your sister quick."

A look came across Henry's face as if he realized something and he hurriedly followed Rika's mom into the kitchen to borrow their phone. Annoyed at being kept out of the loop, Rika demanded from Takato, "Why? Goggle head! What's going on? What's got you so freaked out?"

"We still have three Devas on the loose," Takato answered in a panic, "And a gate is opening between worlds. That means one of two things: either something really big is about to squeeze through once that gate is big enough, or something else is about to jump through from our side to the other one. Whichever it is, the gate is opening on the other side. Either way is bad news for us and we'd better make sure we have Calumon when either one happens."

"What makes you so sure?" Kazu asked skeptically, watching Takato continue to pace anxiously. It didn't help that he anxiously answered, "I'm not. I have a powerful headache from sensory overload, a ton of things are happening that don't make sense, and this digivice which makes no sense won't turn off which doesn't help either. I'm not sure, I'm just being cautious."

Henry raced back into the room, "Xiaochun says Impmon just took Calumon."

"Impmon? Who's Impmon?" Rika asked, "Wait, was he that guy who showed up and ran off?"

At this moment, Renamon appeared again just behind her, "Impmon? That little rookie took Calumon?"

"You know who that is?" Henry asked. Renamon nodded, "I ran into him a few times over the course of my time here in the Real World. He was always by himself and was constantly trying to convince me to abandon our partnership. He believed working with humans was beneath the skills of a digimon. I tended to ignore him most of the time. Why would he steal Calumon?"

"Maybe he was trying to do that thing you were talking about? Get Calumon away from Henry's sister," Kenta suggested, "What do you think Takato? Takato!?"

Takato was already at the front door getting his shoes back on, "Going to get Guilmon! I'll meet you guys where the gate is opening. Oh! Kazu, Juri! I'll need you guys to come with me!"

Juri and Kazu swapped confused glances, "What for?"

"Guilmon doesn't move well in the box, so three of us can clear a path for him as he moves!" Takato answered urgently, picking their shoes up of the floor and tossing it their way, "Now come on! We got a little digimon to save!"

"Well, we're coming too!" Rika's mom declared, picking up her things, "If digimon are involved, you better believe we-"

"Mom, no!" Rika interrupted her, "You guys don't even have digimon! Digidestined or not, all you guys would do is slow us down! Our partners can't fight whatever we're up against and protect you at the same time."

"She's right, y'know," the doctor said, adjusting his glasses and looking at her mom calmly, "As frustrating as it is to say, we're all but useless right now. It'd be better to leave this to them since they're the ones who're actually involved in it right now. Have faith in your daughter, Mimi. She's got that same attitude you did when you were her age."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Rika and her mom scowled at the same time, making both of them pause at that statement. The doctor was the only one to laugh, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Besides, you might want to spend more time with your husband and we have to deal with the other guy."

He gestured at the government agent who was still on his phone on the other side of the room. As much as she didn't like it, Rika's mom seemed to take the hint and nodded towards her daughter. She looked about ready to break down crying but didn't, instead saying, "Ruki, just promise me you'll come back alive, okay?"

"I will," she answered rather coldly. Then her dad spoke, "Ruki. When you get back, let's talk, okay?"

"R-right," she nodded, hurrying towards the door. As they made their way outside, Juri looked sideways at Rika and said, "I'm happy your family's back together."

"Whatever," she answered, making a point of looking directly away from her. Although she wasn't saying it, Juri guessed that she was a lot happier than she wanted to let on. As they headed out, Takato tossed Kenta his bag, "Here! Take the smoke bombs! You know what to do! Let's go!"

...

Yamaki made his way back inside in time to see all six kids hurrying back out. There was no doubt they were on their way to that Wild one bioemerging right now. It bothered him to think six kids had better control over a situation than an entire government organization dedicated to doing the same thing. Still, time was of the essence. He made his way back into the dining room and called out to Izumi, "We need to go. We have another wild one bioemerging."

"They're called digimon," he said flatly. Yamaki was glad he was wearing sunglasses. He didn't want to think about what Izumi's wife would do if she saw him rolling his eyes at her husband. He tried to make his way to Izumi's wheelchair but was blocked again by his wife, "You're not taking him anywhere. He's staying right here."

Yamaki paused, examining the woman carefully. She shouldn't have been as intimidating as she was but he stood firm, trying to calm himself before he said anything he shouldn't. Once he was calm, he took off his sunglasses, "Let me make this clear. You might have no compulsion with sending kids off into danger to get themselves killed. But I do. And I'll be damned if I stand by and let history repeat itself with those kids. I'm taking your husband and we're leaving. And if you want to stand by so that another massacre can happen, then you can do it from that side of the room. Get out of my way."

She stood exactly where she was, refusing to move. He didn't want it to come to this. He drew his gun and aimed it for her head. There were several gasps and the detective quickly drew his own. Still, his wife stood where she was, refusing to get out of harm's way despite the obvious danger she was in. She was courageous, he had to give her that. But he didn't need it right now. He needed to get Izumi back to headquarters.

"Mimi," Izumi began, wheeling his chair over to get her attention. He pulled her back behind his chair, "I'll go with you. We still need to help stop whatever is happening. But I'm only going to work on my terms. Not yours. Juggernaut...I'm not going to use it for your purposes any more."

Yamaki eyed everyone in the room carefully. He didn't want a massacre and all it would take was one misfire for all of this to go downhill. He lowered his gun and returned it to its holster, adding, "Nothing gets done without my approval. Understand, Izumi?"

"Izzy," his wife corrected. The biggest, most loving smile appeared on Izumi's face - the kind one could have only when they saw the person they loved the most, "Don't worry. I'm not going to disappear again. I'll email you guys the address."

"Izumi," Yamaki warned him. The last thing he wanted were all these people to suddenly show up in the Hypnos HQ. Izumi answered by raising his middle finger and continued talking to his wife, "And the clearance codes. Don't worry."

"IZUMI!" Yamaki said more loudly to get his attention. The man looked up with a mischievous smile, "I mean, you did want to recruit them, right? So what's the issue?"

"Recruit them. Not have them or you take over my operation," Yamaki explained bitterly, watching Izumi wheel his way to the front, "It's not like we can screw it over any worse than you guys have. If anything, we're the ones with the most experience when it comes to this kind of thing. So why shouldn't we run it?"

"Yeah, great job with that. The world got invaded twice under your watch," Yamaki remarked sarcastically, taking hold of Izumi's chair so he couldn't get away, "So nice try but no deal. Still there is an opportunity before us - you can come too if you want. Help out."

"Not interested," his wife replied. Yamaki clicked his tongue and continued pushing Izumi towards the door. As they passed the threshold, Izumi remarked, "Don't worry. You'll come around to our way of doing things soon enough."

Yamaki wouldn't count on it. When did his life start spiraling so far out of control?

...

Rika, Henry, and Kenta chased the gate, using Rika's digivice to lead the way. After they ran several blocks, Kenta asked, "How much further is it? You'd think people would be freaking out by now!"

Rika looked down at her digivice, watching the arrow move along the screen until it was pointing behind them. She stopped in her tracks and both boys crashed into her from behind. She pushed her self back up and spat out, "Watch it!"

"Why'd you stop Rika?" Henry asked, dusting himself off as he got up and helping Kenta off the ground. Rika looked back down at her digivice to make sure she wasn't seeing it wrong. The arrow continued to move, pointing the way they came from and then continued on. Her digivice had to be broken. She snapped her fingers, "Digivice."

"Uh, sure," Henry produced his digivice and showed it to her, "Why do you…oh."

"What is it?" Kenta asked, peering at the screen.

"The gate is moving," Rika announced, "It's back the way we came from now!"

...

As Takato, Juri, and Kazu ran past a crowd of people running away from the park. They must've looked insane to be running towards it. This wasn't right. They weren't running in the direction of the gate, so why were people running away from the park. They got their answer when they finally reached the park entrance, only to see Leomon and Andromon standing beside Guilmon facing off against the horse and the sheep Devas Pajiramon and Vajramon. Kazu shouted, "Oh great, they're back!"

"It's all right, Andromon and Leomon are on our side," Takato explained, running in to join his partner, "Guilmon! What's going on?"

The little dinosaur was too busy growling at the devas to answer him and Takato tried shaking his partner to get his attention, "Guilmon! Hey! It's me! What happened?"

"Targets ahead! Exposition: Devas attacked us. We are acting in self defense," Andromon answered mechanically, "Preparing defensive measures!"

Kazu cheered as an array of lasers, guns, and blades appeared out of Andromon's body, "Whoa! Dude! That is awesome! What is all that? Takato! Where did you find these guys?"

"Juri found them," Takato gestured her way, looking ahead at Pajiramon, "Why are you guys here? We're trying to help! So why did all those people run away screaming?"

"Help! Hah! Tell that to Vajramon," Indramon answered gutturally. Right away, Takato tried pleading, "We didn't want that to happen. If the Digital World is in danger like you said it is, then we need to work together! Let us help!"

"You've helped enough," Pajiramon spat back angrily. As she spoke, a mist began to appear behind them along with a blindingly bright light. Just the sight of it made the hair on the back of her neck stand on in terror and she closed her eyes to keep from being blinded. Through what little bit she could see with her eyes open just a crack, Juri asked, "What are they doing?"

Leomon roared, "They're trying to force open a portal to the Digital World. Something from the other side must be doing it."

"What? But the gate isn't opening here!" Takato shouted, trying to examine his digivice, "It's opening over at…it's moving?"

"Indeed it is!" announced a monkey wearing a fez. It held Calumon tucked carefully inside a cage which he jangled tauntingly, "Greetings! I am Makuramon. I do apologize for the interruption but opening gates between worlds is tricky business and, unfortunately, we're not specialized in that. Thank you for keeping the Catalyst safe for us, but we must take it back!"

"Guys! HELP! GUILMON! HELP ME!" Calumon screamed out, closing his eyes just as the symbol on his forehead began to glow again. Light erupted forth, streaming out towards Guilmon, "GUILMON! DIGIVOLVE TO! GROWLMON!"

Nobody knew the little guy had it in him to make someone digivolve on command like that but it did. For a brief moment, it seemed like they could win. A moment Makuramon dispelled when he cackled, "Oh my, that is a spot of bother. You humans spend way too much time something that was always ours, never yours."

"You have no idea how wrong you are," Takato pointed out. Makuramon wagged his finger, "Not to worry. I'll take the Catalyst back and we shan't worry about this again. Toodaloo, little humans! Play nice with Pajiramon and Indramon!"

"But I'm not human," Takato said too late as Makuramon leapt backwards into the mist and faded away, leaving only Calumon's echoing screams of horror. Takato shouted and charged after them with Growlmon only to find Pajiramon in front of it, "You will not be pursuing them."

Frustrated that he was being ignored, Takato shouted, "Don't you guys get it!? We can help you!"

"We don't need your help!" Indramon roared, bringing his giant hoof crashing down on top of him. Takato stood in place - either frozen in fear or out of sheer bravery. But some would call it stupidity. Juri gasped averting her eyes to avoid seeing Takato get killed. But the sickening crunch she expected was replaced by a loud clang. When she looked again, she saw Growlmon had pushed him out of the way and was standing between him and Indramon. Leomon and Andromon finally joined into the fray, the lion charging in first, "You will not harm him!"

"Executing defense protocols. Priority One: Defend The Digimon Tamer!" Andromon added, a sword appearing where his hand was. The two large digimon paired off against either Pajiramon or Indramon, crossing blades and taking shots at each other in a frenzy of violence. It was like watching history repeat itself as the four battled each other. Only now, they were battle hardened digimon - not some kids who were in over their heads. This didn't stop Kazu from cheering excitedly, "YEAH! KICK HIS BUTT LEOMON! ANDROMON! SHOW 'EM HOW IT'S DONE!"

With each blow, the digimon would knock each other back. And on one of the bouts, Andromon struck Pajiramon so hard that she was thrown flying right their way. Juri and Kazu both froze, unable to move as Pajiramon caught herself before crashing into them. As soon as she corrected herself, she turned to face them, "Humans shouldn't get involved in this. Get out of our way!"

She raised her blade to attack, swinging it down as hard but was stopped by Leomon's blade, "They're just children! Get a hold of yourself! You're a Deva! A protector!"

"A protector of the Digital World!" Pajiramon pointed out, giving one good push to knock Leomon back. Still the lion stood his ground, refusing to give way for Pajiramon. He looked over his shoulder, at Kazu and herself. He must've noticed she was afraid because he smiled at her, "Don't worry. I won't let any harm come to you!"

He turned back towards Pajiramon, letting out a mighty roar and summoning the strength to push the Deva's blade back and giving himself the opening he needed to properly kick the Deva in the teeth, "You will not harm the digidestined. You may be a protector of the Digital World, but I am a protector to all. And I will not let you choose who lives and who dies."

"Then you'll die yourself," Pajiramon charged in again, crossing blade with Leomon. As the fight continued, Juri noticed Takato and Growlmon were finally back in the fight. Growlmon spun around and used his tail to whip Indramon before he could get close, then leapt on him in a frenzy. But being at this close range just gave Indramon an unexpected advantage, "HORN OF DESOLATION!"

The horn on the horse's back rang out, making Juri's ears ring in protest. She covered her ears to drown out the noise, as did Leomon, Kazu, Takato, and Growlmon. It took them off guard just long enough for Pajiramon to get in a lucky strike, kicking Leomon to the ground and trampling over him. She gasped again in terror, watching helplessly as the sheep ground the lion with her hooves before galloping off to join Indramon.

Leomon was going to die here for protecting them. For protecting her. Maybe she should've stayed home. Maybe she shouldn't have been here. She wanted to help. But what was she supposed to do? She wasn't like Takato, or Rika, or Henry. She was powerless to do anything. If only...

If only she could be useful. Leomon must've sensed her uncertainty because he looked at her with a wide eyed smile, "Don't worry, everything will be fine."

Something heavy hit her pocket. Something warm. It calmed her down. At first, she thought she imagined it. Then she reached inside and found a digivice. Just like the one Takato had but with a yellow trim, "What?"

"Whoa! WHAT!? HOW COME YOU GET ONE!?" Kazu protested when he saw it. But she didn't pay any attention. She had a digivice. Was she meant to help? Was...Leomon supposed to be her partner? No. This was a mistake. It had to be. She didn't know anything about digimon. But this wasn't the time to freeze up and panic. This wasn't the time for self-doubt She reached into her pocket and produced the booster pack of cards she'd bought, ripping them open and looking for one that looked useful. But the cards were all gibberish to her and she had no idea what any of them did. Until she found one she'd seen them use before. If it worked for them, why wouldn't it work her? She readied the card and swiped it through the device, "Digimodify! Strength Boost Activate!"

Leomon leapt up back to his feet, raising his sword with a mighty roar, "YES! THIS ENERGY! I CAN FEEL IT! THANK YOU, JURI!"

Juri felt a small smile appear on her face, unable to deny the overwhelming joy she was feeling from helping Leomon out. She looked just ahead to see Andromon and Growlmon squaring off around Indramon and Pajiramon. It seemed that they were too evenly matched as it were. But now the cavalry was here. First, Pajiramon. The sheep Deva grunted when she noticed Leomon, "To think the great that you would throw your lot in with these disgusting humans. Where's your pride as a warrior?"

"A true warrior doesn't let pride interfere with his common sense," Leomon roared back, "My protection doesn't stop at the Digital World. I protect all life: weak and strong."

Pajiramon appeared unfazed and shook her head in disappointment, "They've killed our kind time and again, Leomon. Let's see your common sense rationalize that. Rargh!"

She charged forward again and the two of them clashed one more time. Realizing that his added strength wasn't enough, Juri began flipping through her cards again. It just didn't make any sense. Half of these cards had a bunch of rules and stats on them that she didn't understand. But her answer was right next o her, "Kazu! What do these cards do?"

"Huh?"

"Cards! I need one to help Leomon!"

She pushed some of the cards into his hand and watched him go through it. After a minute, he pulled one out, "Use this! It's training gears. If strengthens any digimon who uses them over time, but it restricts them at first."

"What?" Juri flat out said, unable to understand a word he'd just said. He groaned, "Just use it!"

She nodded, swiping the card, "Digimodify! Training Gear Activate!"

A set of elastic bands appeared on Leomon's arms which he promptly threw at Pajiramon, wrapping them around her legs and imprisoning her. Leomon cheered, "Well done Juri! Now let's finish this!"

He charged forward one more time, leaping into the air with his sword raised above his head and brought it crashing down on top of Pajiramon's skull. The sickening crunch made Juri's stomach turn and she looked away as Leomon ended it, "Fist of the Beast King!"

She really hoped Takato didn’t see that. Especially not the part where the data of the defeated digimon began to coalesce around Leomon until he absorbed it. But now things were going their way. It was three on one now. They could do this! Then it was on to save Calumon! She pointed at Indramon, “Help Growlmon!”

Leomon leapt into the air with his sword above his head, and was knocked aside by Indramon’s massive hoof, “Pitiful.”

Andromon armed his canon and fired at Growlmon, “Gatling Attack!”

The bullets peppered Indramon who raised up his other hoof to defend himself. Growlmon so his opening and charged in also, tackling the massive horse from the side. Indramon just laughed, “Pitiful!”

Andromon primed the canon on his arm and took aim, “Gatling Attack!”

The bullets peppered Indramon, who raised another hoof to defend himself. Growlmon was his opening and tackled him from the side and the two grappled with each other until Indramon managed to turn Growlmon so that he’d take the brunt of the attack! Takato helped out in a panic, “Growlmon! No!”

Leomon got back up on his feet and leapt back at the digimon. Indramon answered by swinging his massive hoof so that he struck the lion in the side, “Do you think that would work? Now! Horn of Desolation!”

He retrieved the horn on his back and blew into it, unleashing a great noise that shook the world and made the pavement crack. Growlmon, Leomon, and Andromon were thrown around the park. Before the blast could get her, Takato dashed to Juri’s side and pushed her to the ground, “Watch out!”

They landed on the grass and away from the shockwave, which continued on and overturned a car. Juri gasped, “Nothing we do can touch it!”

“Juri, your cards!” Takato pointed at the ground beside her. Her cards had fallen out of her hand and scattered along the ground. It was then that she noticed he was on top of her, and she felt her face flush in embarrassment. Takato scrambled to his feet and helped her up, gathering the cards together and holding one up to her - a strange blue card with a pixelated dinosaur, “Where’d you get this?”

“It was probably in the booster pack I had,” she answered quietly, trying not to think about what just happened. Takato nodded and proceeded to take the card, “I hope you don’t mind if I use this. And I really hope it works. DigiModify! Activate!”

He swiped the card through his deck and a beam of light jumped from his digivice to Growlmon. The digimon let out a roar and transformed before their eyes - skin ripping off violently and reappearing elsewhere, “Growlmon! Digivolve to! WarGrowlmon!”

The digimon grew in size and now had a set of mechanical parts on his body - bladed arms, rocket launchers on his torso, a metal jaw and a long metal cord extending from his back. Indramon scoffed, “Digivolve all you want. It won’t help you! Horn of Desola-”

“Rargh!” WarGrowlmon flew in, the rockets on his back coming to life and propelling him forward into the horse. He dug both of his metal claws into the digimon’s chest and raised over his head, “You won’t hurt them again! Atomic Blaster!”

Two compartments on his chest armor opened up and fired an attack straight into the horse’s gut before he could respond. The attack hit its mark and the digimon let out a great roar before disappearing. As with Leomon, the data coalesced around WarGrowlmon until he absorbed it into his body. It was over. Now they just had to go after Calumon. Before any of them could take a step forward, a small ball of fire hit the ground in front of WarGrowlmon, “Badaboom!”

WarGrowlmon stopped in his tracks, as a familiar imp leapt in between them and the gate. Juri blurted out, “Impmon!?”

“Sup losers?” Impmon greeted.

#Digimon Tamers #Digimon Adventure #Digimon Adventure 02 #The Digimon Tamer #Fanfiction #ArchiveOfOurOwn

7 notes · View notes

carmenlire · 5 years

Note

Oh jesus, I sure would cry if SOMEONE, like my FAVOURITE author *cough* you *cough*, would write a christmas prompt for my birthday that's coincidentally on DECEMBER 12TH, 12 days before CHRISTMAS, I'm just thinking out loud here

It is midnight in Germany so Happy 18th Birthday Julia!!! You are so amazing and I am so glad that we are friends and I just want you to know that you’re super lovely and I am so happy to have you in my life

read on ao3

“And what are we supposed to be doing here?”

Sighing exasperatedly, Magnus wraps his scarf around his neck. It’s a little hideous– a mishmash of patterns and swirling colors courtesy of Madzie– but it was a gift and Magnus makes it work, wearing an austere black coat to really let the riot of colors pop.

He meets Alec’s eyes in the mirror. “We’re going to the Christmas Fair downtown. We’re supposed to be having fun. Nothing serious, no business or worry of demonic sightings.”

Turning around, he takes the few steps over to Alec, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend’s shoulders. “We’ll browse around the shopping booths and eat something sweet and freeze our asses off.”

Alec smiles and leans in to kiss him only to pull back abruptly. “You have different chap stick on,” he says accusingly.

“Peppermint,” Magnus confirms, placing a smacking kiss on Alec’s cheek and trying not to coo and the vaguely disgusted look Alec throws him. “I thought it only appropriate. Tis the season, after all.”

Alec shakes his head but he’s hiding a smile. Magnus will take it as a win.

The two of them leave the loft and Magnus doesn’t try to hide his smile when Alec immediately reaches over and grabs his hand, thumb sweeping over his palm. They take the subway– yes, Alexander, I was taking the subway before your grandfather was even born– and get off at the stop that leads to Midtown Manhattan, close to Rockefeller Center. It’s two weeks before Christmas and the sidewalks are jam-packed with tourists and stressed shoppers.

Magnus doesn’t mind, though. There’s something about the very air in December that’s achingly sentimental. While he’s never been one to practice Christianity, Christmas is something that he’s celebrated for the past couple centuries, ever since he first landed in Europe.

Still, New York City at Christmastime is another beast altogether. They pass a dozen vendors selling Christmas trees and Magnus is paying far more attention to Alec than he is to his surroundings.

Doing his best to keep his fondness under wraps, Magnus internally rolls his eyes at Alec’s expression. He’s trying to look unaffected at the crowd of people and the miles of lights and garland and decorations. They’re rounding the corner when Alec stops in his tracks and Magnus grins as Alec’s eyes light up.

“Still aren’t sure what you’re supposed to do,” Magnus teases.

Alec doesn’t even spare him a glance as he takes in the crowds of people milling about in barely organized chaos. This Christmas Fair has been going on in the city every December 12th for over a hundred years and it’s gained quite a following.

Families are milling about, kids racing by with cookies and toys. Magnus looks around and breathes in the scent of balsam and toasted marshmallow and feels something settle into place.

For the millionth time, he wonders at how Christmas could be so much more than a simple day.

He startles, though, as Alec pulls him toward the closest booth.

“Are you looking for anything in particular,” Alec absently asks, paying close attention to the boxes of artisan chocolates on display.

Humming, Magnus thinks for a minute before shaking his head. “Not really, I’m afraid. I usually end up buying whatever catches my eye. What about you?”

He eyes a box of peppermint bark, debating, while he waits for Alec’s answer.

No,” Alec finally says. “You know that we don’t really celebrate Christmas. While I know more than other shadowhunters, I can still be pretty clueless. Izzy, Jace, and I usually exchanged gifts and snuck out of the Institute to eat dinner but that’s about it.”

“I still don’t know how even shadowhunters keep their heads in the sand about Christmas, especially in New York. Signs of it are literally everywhere, darling.”

Alec shrugs. “You’re forgetting that we spend most of December at the Academy until we graduate. Idris has their own holidays. Though none that mean unlimited gingerbread,” Alec ends distractedly.

Magnus looks up from the chocolate and sees that Alec’s moved on to the next booth– homemade gingerbread cookies.

“I didn’t know you liked gingerbread,” he says, amused.

“It’s never come up.”

Alec looks over at him, considering, and Magnus grins as he moves on without buying the peppermint bark. Laying an arm around Alec’s back, Magnus looks between Alec and the gingerbread, bemused.

“Alexander, you’re about to start drooling.”

Glaring, Alec just asks, “Do you want one?”

Magnus makes a show of thinking before finally suggesting, tongue in cheek, “We could share one?”

He bites back his laughter at the incredulous look Alec shoots him. “I don’t share my gingerbread,” Alec says firmly.

Magnus sighs dejectedly, gently bumping his hip against his boyfriend’s. “Very well,” he says sadly. “I thought it would be romantic to share but I forgot my boyfriend is possessive over his sweets.”

“Frosting or no frosting?” Alec doesn’t even deign to acknowledge Magnus and Magnus tucks a hand into Alec’s back pocket as he murmurs, “Surprise me, darling.”

Alec pays for the cookies and immediately bites the head off his frosted gingerbread Santa, meeting Magnus’s scandalized eyes without expression. “It’s the best part,” is all he offers and Magnus laughs as he shakes his head, nudging them to keep going.

The two of them make their way through dozens of booths. There are wood cutouts and photography booths and they pass enough food vendors that Magnus starts to wonder if Alec’s stomach isn’t both bottomless and made of cast iron.

He’s long known that his boyfriend has a sweet tooth to rival the Cookie Monster’s but it’s something else entirely to see Alec in his element.

There are quite a few toy booths, and Magnus finds himself in quite a few heated debates with Alec over the best present for kids. Magnus discovers– much to his surprise– that Alec’s a fan of classic toys. Magnus himself very much prefers toys that light up and make obnoxious noises and all around look fun.

Alec, by contrast, likes toy soldiers and spinning tops and toys that look more suited to what a character in a Dickens novel would have salivated over.

As he watches Alec absolutely lose his shit at a rather terrifying Jack in the Box, Magnus wonders who their kids will take back after. He doesn’t voice the sudden direction of his thinking and he’s quietly surprised to realize that the thought doesn’t make his heart squeeze in his chest painfully. No instead, it settles something in him.

Magnus can’t help but look over at Alec– his boyfriend, perhaps even his husband one day– and see the decades unfold. He can’t think of anything more adorable than a son with Alec’s stoic mannerisms or a daughter that loves potions and cooking as much as he does.

He blames Christmas for the sudden yearning that overtakes him and clears his throat when Alec looks back up at him. “I wish I’d had something like this when I was a kid,” he says and Magnus looks at the jack-in-the-box with suspicion.

“Out of all the toys you could pick, you want something that’s meant to scare people?”

“It’s colorful and a surprise and plays music. Really, hits all the requirements for a successful children’s toy.”

Magnus just eyes the toy warily and gently but inexorably guides Alec away from the toy booth. Alec lets him with a small smile and Magnus hides his grin in Alec’s shirt when he throws an arm over his shoulder, pulling him close.

They run into a row of ornament vendors and spend quite a while looking through ornaments of all shapes and sizes and materials.

“I had fun decorating the loft with you last week.”

Magnus looks up from where he’d been mulling over a stethoscope ornament for Catarina to see Alec gently lift a glass-blown orb from its hook. Taking the stethoscope with him, Magnus wanders over to Alec, replying, “I’m glad to hear that. It was fun trimming the tree with you, darling. I usually enjoy decorating by myself with one of my jazz records and a glass of wine but maybe I just needed to find the right helper,” he teases with a grin.

Alec laughs but most of his attention is still on the ornament. Coming to stand next to Alec, Magnus takes in the script on the front and his smile widens.

“Today only, we’re offering free engraving on all ornaments,” comes a voice behind them and Magnus turns around to see one of the employees approaching them. They’re dressed in holiday cheer with red bow earrings and an elf’s hat.

“Free engraving,” Alec repeats.

Taking the ornament gently from Alec’s hands, the staff member nods. “It’s usually a dollar a word but since it’s the first day of the fair, it’s our promotion.” She takes a second to read the ornament before looking back up at them with a smile. “Are you interesting in personalizing it?”

To his surprise, Alec speaks first. “Yeah, let’s add our names to it,” he says and looks to Magnus for confirmation.

Magnus looks over at Alec and sees that Alec’s already watching him with that damned look in his eye– like all he sees is Magnus.

“I think it only right that we have a memento of our first Christmas together, don’t you,” he asks softly.

He watches Alec’s eyes light up before he’s following the vendor to the engraving station to fill out an order form.

Magnus checks out with another employee in the meantime and meets Alec at the front of the shop just a few minutes later.

“Julia said that it’ll take about an hour to finish ours and we should come back later to pick it up.”

“Julia,” Magnus asks with a raised brow. “Don’t tell me you made a friend, Alexander.”

“Shut up” Alec mutters. “She was nice and mentioned that she had bought the same ornament for her girlfriend last week.”

Smiling, Magnus doesn’t say anything and the two of them wander around the market, though Magnus’s gaze zeroes in on a booth further up the thoroughfare. He comes to a stop in line and Alec shoots him a curious smile.

“Hot chocolate?”

Magnus hums, reading over the menu. “I only drink hot chocolate in December and this particular booth has the best cup I’ve ever had– and their marshmallows are in the shape of reindeer. Do you want some?”

“No, I think I’m going to head over to the mulled wine booth across from here.”

Magnus looks up as Alec steps away from him. “You’re choosing wine over hot cocoa? Over marshmallows and enough sugar to fell an elephant? You don’t even like alcohol,” Magnus says accusingly.

Laughing, Alec takes another step back. “The only alcohol I’ve ever enjoyed is mulled red wine. With the cinnamon stick? It’s like juice that makes me want to take a nap,” he says sheepishly.

“Very well, then. Leave and go get your nap juice. I’ll just be waiting for my dessert in a mug.”

Magnus sees Alec grin before he’s turning away to get his own drink. The line for the hot chocolate is long, though, and Alec sidles up to him just as he’s placed his order.

“Back so soon,” Magnus sniffs. “Maybe that’s a sign that hot chocolate is definitely the most popular Christmas drink.”

Alec just takes a sip of his wine, humming in satisfaction.

The sun has officially set by the time they make it back to the ornament stand and pick up their purchase. Magnus shivers a little in his coat, burying his nose in his scarf a little deeper.

Alec looks adorable with a red nose and ruddy cheeks and Magnus pauses at the edges of the fair to throw away his empty cup.

Before they can continue, though, he steps up to Alec and unwinds part of his scarf around Alec’s neck. For his part, Alec stands unmoving with a faint grin.

“You know we can’t walk like this,” he says dryly.

Magnus arches a brow. “I’m getting tired of you ruining all of my romantic gestures.”

Alec huffs out a laugh as he shakes his head. “I love your romantic gestures, just not when they get in the way of my food or when they become a tripping hazard.”

“And the say romance is dead,” Magnus mutters. Before he can say anything else, Alec is kissing him. It’s lingering and soft and when it ends Magnus doesn’t want to open his eyes.

“I have to keep you on your toes somehow, babe.”

Opening his eyes, Magnus grins at Alec before unwinding the rest of his scarf and looping it around Alec’s neck, hushing his protests.

“You look like an icicle, Alexander. I won’t have you catching a cold and ruining my plans in a few days.”

“Oh? And what are these plans you have that are more important that a potentially sick boyfriend?”

Narrowing his eyes, Magnus takes his hand and they start the walk back to the subway station. “I’ll have you know that I need to wrap your presents and I can’t do that if you’re in the apartment with me, now can I?”

“I guess,” Alec sighs dramatically though his lips are twitching at the corners.

The commute back to the loft is pleasant as it can be, considering they’ve taken the subway. Magnus immediately leaves his bags by the foyer and makes his way to their bedroom, Alec right behind him.

Changing into comfortable pajamas, they return to the living room, though Magnus grows confused when Alec goes to their bags.

“Leave that, darling. We can go through everything in the morning.”

Alec doesn’t listen and after a few minutes of rummaging, he pulls out the box, going right to the tree and turning it on before placing the ornament right in the middle.

Magnus walks over to him and studies the tree. While most assumed that Magnus would have an elegant Christmas tree with a classic theme, the truth was that he loved the chaotic potential of such a statement piece. He had ornaments from friends stretching back decades and there was popcorn string and multicolored lights and tinsel. Each and every thing on the tree was a memory for Magnus and his heart clutches a little at Alec’s new addition.

“Perfect,” he says, kissing Alec with the heat of the fire at his back.

“It’s our first Christmas living together,” Alec says as he looks over the tree, the colorful lights playing over his face.

“The first of many.”

Turning to the living room proper, Magnus stops Alec when he goes to sit on the couch.

With a wave of his hand, a dozen pillows and a mountain of blankets fall to the ground in front of the couch. Alec smiles but doesn’t protest and they settle onto the floor with the fireplace below the television providing them with a little extra warmth.

“What do you want to do for the rest of the evening, babe?”

Shifting closer to Alec, Magnus lays his head on his chest. “We could watch a movie if you–”

“Rudolph?”

Magnus tilts his head up to see Alec looking at him. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear there was a pleading note in his voice.

“You want to watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer? The children’s movie? With that horrendous claymation?”

Alec scoffs. “Claymation is a gift that just just keeps on giving and it’s my favorite Christmas movie,” he admits.

“I had no idea you knew any Christmas movies, let alone animated ones.”

Magnus climbs to his feet and the dvd appears in his hand. He makes his way to the tv and places the disc in the player before returning to Alec who’s delightfully warm.

“It was on the television at the restaurant we went to that first Christmas, when we snuck out.” Alec shrugs and Magnus trails a hand over his chest as he continues, “It looked fun. It was silly and that dentist elf– Hermey– was weird but endearing?”

“Well, then, let’s watch it.”

Magnus settles over Alec again, relaxing into his boyfriend as Alec’s arm wraps around him, sweeping over his back.

The watch a cheesy movie and order in takeout and share a bottle of wine.

The perfect day, Magnus thinks with a drowsy smile.

The Christmas Fair was a staple for Magnus– he’d been going since the very first one all those years ago. As he lets himself fall asleep to the sound of Alec’s breathing, Magnus knows that he’s found that missing piece that makes this time of year all the more special.

Love. Alexander.

Magnus and AlexanderOur First Christmas2018

#my writing #julia tag #the best by far is you #happy birthday dear!!#i really hope that you liked this!!!#malec fic

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malecsecretsanta · 6 years

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Merry Christmas, @inmalecscarvesmeanlove!

Merry Christmas, dear giftee! The time has finally come to receive your present and I hope it is a gift that will make you smile during the holiday season! Hope you have a wonderful time, however you’ll be celebrating! Love & Hugs!, ;-)) X

Read on AO3

*****

'Twas The Morning After Christmas

Cocooned in a warmth that made it hard to leave the bed, Alec squeezed his eyes shut and tried once more to will himself back to sleep. Pulling the covers over his shoulder with his free hand, he burrowed even deeper into the pillows and Magnus, their curled up bodies in contact from head to toe, with a tight clasp of hands anchored to Alec’s chest for good measure. Attempting to regulate his breathing and convince himself that his eyelids felt like lead, he concentrated on trying to match the puffs of air that tickled the back of his neck at regular, slumber-filled intervals but Magnus’ contented breath only served to highlight his own restlessness. With a resigned huff, Alec placed a gentle kiss to the back of his husband’s elegant hand before extricating himself oh-so carefully from his embrace. Madness, right? But his mind was already half-awake and planning the day ahead, even if his body would take a while longer.

Throwing on the furry Dalmatian onesie (complete with leather paws) that Izzy and Simon had given him yesterday for Christmas, he was grateful for it’s insulating properties against the early morning chill as he trotted off to the kitchen, drawing a line at using the hood because, after all, he didn’t want to look stupid. Casting an accusatory look at the unsightly amount of after-party debris that littered, what seemed to be, the entire loft, Alec decided that no restoration work could possibly take place without first restoring himself to full consciousness. And that required strong coffee.

Stopping momentarily in his tracks at the bombsight that greeted him, in what years of living here told him should be the kitchen, Alec was almost tempted to crawl back into bed. Luckily though, his body’s more-important-than-blood craving for caffeine stopped him and he dragged his paws across the floor to the coffee-maker, scraping the silly string from the top of the machine so he could prepare his self-medication. Visually filtering out the worst of the carnage as he fished around for the necessities, Alec hastily spooned in the elixir of life and poured the water, setting the timer to ‘Herculean’ as he tripped his way over to the balcony doors, intent on reaching the only floorspace not covered in party poppers and burst balloons.

Grateful for the fairy lights that still lit up the cosy corner of his retreat, Alec tentatively stepped out, bracing himself against the cool breeze that set his fake fur on end as he threw dignity to the wind and yanked up his hood, droopy ears and all. Leaning his elbows on the balcony wall, the crisp air hit the back of his throat as he inhaled and helped clear the last vestiges of sleep from his eyes as he took in the early morning bustle of the Brooklyn streets below. Still blanketed in a thin cover of grey, the view was quieter than usual but breathtaking nonetheless. Alec assumed he wasn’t the only poor soul in need of recovery from the previous day’s family festivities and he spared a thought of commiseration for all his fellow cleaner-uppers who faced the daunting prospect of a job not even Harvey Keitel would agree to take on. Unless, of course, his darling hubby was sufficiently recovered from his holiday hangover and had the energy to help him out. Remembering the amount of toasts and tipples that had been celebrated last night, he somehow doubted it, but if anyone could withstand the negative effects of too much alcohol, it was Magnus. His beloved imbibed cocktails as naturally as Alec breathed in air, and never looked anything less than fabulous for having done so, he thought with an enviously proud smile. The smug shit.

As if conjured by thought alone, he heard the doors behind him open briefly before two over-sized white paws snuck around his waist and an intimately familiar body moulded itself to his back, providing a much needed layer of warmth.

‘Don’t say it,’ he warned with a shake of his head, long black ears flapping in the cutest way..

‘I thought I spotted you out here, darling,’ Magnus chuckled regardless, ignoring the groan and snuggling in even closer, exaggerating a shiver. ‘It’s freezing out here, Alexander. Why don’t we go back to our cosy bed and lick each other….clean,’ he practically purred, ‘before our little angels rise and shine….hmmm? Six in the morning is an ungodly hour, even for you.’

Alec turned around to apologise but faltered, mouth agape, as he took in the oddly arousing vision of his bare-faced, floppy-haired lover dressed in a black cat onesie with white paws and whiskers that barely pulled focus when compared to the golden eyes that glowed from beneath the silky hood.

That was until said lover started laughing.

‘OK, get it over with,’ Alec muttered with a reluctant grin, as Magnus’ amusement could no longer be contained and he buried his face in Alec’s chest in an attempt to stifle his laughter. Patting his back in sarcastic comfort, Alec rolled his eyes as Magnus emerged, eyes wet, to take a second look, choosing to suffer the humiliation in order to hold him tight.

‘Oh my darling, you even manage to look sexy-cute as a pooch! It must the scruff!’ With that, Magnus launched himself at Alec who kissed him back hungrily, ensuring the weather and coffee were both soon forgotten as they pawed each other clumsily between giggles and gasps, only slowing down when the distant timer let them know the beverage was ready.

With a reluctant groan, Magnus planted a final smacker on his favourite pair of lips before stepping back, tugging Alec with him as they headed back inside, paw-in-paw. Tacitly agreeing to ignore the mess they were walking through, both removed their hoods and hands in order to make their drinks, sipping them as they sprawled on opposite ends of the sofa, legs entwined.

Eyeing each other over the rim of their mugs while enjoying the comfortable silence, Alec found himself declaring, ‘I love you,’ with the dopiest expression on his face, a habit he found impossible to kick when faced with his incredibly handsome husband, and one, for some strange reason, that had rubbed off on Magnus, who returned the sentiment with a look of sappy contentment that never failed to make his pulse jump.

A sudden high pitched squeal from behind the sofa startled them both but Magnus recovered quickly, holding a silencing finger to his lips as they realised its source. Leaning over to quietly place their drinks on the table, both pulled on their hoods and hands before getting to their knees, ready to catch them by surprise.

Mouthing the countdown together, they prepared to go over the top…..3, 2, 1, ‘GOTCHA!’ they yelled…… but their little devils had disappeared. Well, almost. Five chubby blue toes poked out from the gap beneath the sofa until another’s hand quickly pulled them under, leaving Magnus to clamp a hand over his mouth to prevent a give-away laugh. Sharing a look of loving indulgence that every parent would recognise, Alec winked before using a stage whisper to ask, ‘Have you seen Chairman this morning, babe? Because I think we might have one or two mice in the loft.’

Rolling his eyes as he grinned, Magnus played along. ‘Now you mention it, I haven’t, but I bet he’s hiding around here somewhere just waiting to spring into action. Let me look..’

As Chairman’s favourite bell-in-a-ball rolled out, rather conveniently Magnus thought, from their sons’ hiding place, it was Alec’s turn to cover his mouth as a rather large, albeit woolly, hedgehog was forcefully ejected from the same place. The only telltale sign it was really their cat in disguise (thanks to a compromise on Max’s part when Santa had failed to deliver the real hedgehog he’d asked him for) being the disgruntled look he shot them before flouncing off in a manner not unlike that of his owner.

Motioning for Alec to climb over the back as he prepared to cover the front, he speculated aloud, ‘Well if Chairman doesn’t seem willing to catch them then that leaves US!’ With perfect synchronicity they both jumped down to find their mischievous sons huddled together, looks of childish excitement on their adorable faces as they crawled out from their hideout to clamber into their daddies’ laps before collapsing all together on the sofa.

‘Papa, you scared us!’ chortled Max, their four year old baby warlock whose big blue eyes shone with happiness as Magnus tickled his sides.

‘Good because you scared us too! You pair of scallywags were supposed to be asleep in your beds,’ he replied, lifting the wriggling bundle onto his lap as Alec allowed their older son, Rafe, to tickle him instead.

‘Dad’s in love with Papa!’ the dark haired mini shadowhunter teased, bearing an uncanny resemblance to his father as he mimicked him, ‘I love you, kiss, kiss, kissy-face.’ Alec cracked up, unable to help himself as all three members of his family descended on him, covering his face in noisy wet kisses that left him begging for air.

Taking pity on him, Magnus called off their affectionate assault and insisted on them returning to bed for a little while longer, despite the weak sunlight that threatened to spill in through the loft’s windows. ‘Don’t forget we’re meeting friends and family at the dome later for the Boxing Day Bowl ‘n Roll. You’ll need your energy for that,’ he reminded the boys, as an unexpected yawn escaped him.

‘Looks like they’re not the only ones who need more rest before Team Lightwood-Bane show the others who’s boss,’ Alec pointed out, realising the prospect of more sleep suddenly seemed a good idea as he remembered how much energy would be required to keep up with his siblings and their partners, Simon and Maia, neither of which were short of the competitive spirit.

‘Will Madzie be there too?’ Max asked tiredly, as he tucked himself into his papa’s neck.

‘She will, blueberry,’ Magnus replied softly, nodding for Alec to follow him as he carried their youngest to their bedroom instead.

‘Cat too, Dad?’ Rafe mumbled, as he traced a finger down along his father’s neck rune.

‘Cat too, angel,’ Alec confirmed, placing the gentlest of kisses on the mop of dark hair.

Not bothering to change clothes, Magnus snapped his fingers to turn back the covers before he and Alec placed the boys in the centre of the bed and climbed in to bracket them, sharing a sleepy smile over their heads as they all settled in.

‘I love you all,’ Magnus whispered, a wave of blue spark drawing the blinds to keep out the sun and hasten their rest.

‘Me too,’ Rafe agreed as his eyes drifted shut.

‘Uh huh,’ managed Max.

Grasping Magnus’ outstretched hand which lay across their cherished children, Alec blew his husband a kiss before closing his eyes too.

‘I love you all too. Merry Christmas, my boys.’

Even Chairman thought their smiles looked cute as he settled along the pillows a short while later.

#inmalecscarvesmeanlove #malecsanta17 #*fic17 #*gifts17

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laurlovescookies · 7 years

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Kadam Week Prompt Seven: A Stressful Event

- One of the guys is stressing out over a pending event. (Parental visit, audition, work deadline, whatever you like as long as it causes a freak out.) How does the other get him through it? Or help him him celebrate getting through it?

Adam and Kurt are pleasantly surprised when the New Directions throw them a shower for their first child. Not really stressful, mostly just silly. A lot of Blaine and Rachel bashing though.

Sorry this is so late! Work’s been keeping me busy. This fic takes place eight years after Kadam meet in New York.

You guys might notice that Tina here (unlike Rachel or Blaine) has been redeemed. Up until season four I don’t think anyone minded her; she was a cool, artistic, easy-going person whom was great friends with Kurt and had a wardrobe you’d like to pillage. Understandably she gets upset with the lack of spotlight she gets in Glee; something that made me sad was the fact that she was treated as a token Asian character, a background prop, a sort of “Oh, aren’t we diverse and inclusive for including a Chinese American character despite the fact the spotlight always focuses on a straight white couple in some way or another.”

The fact that she lied about her stutter made her seem very human to me; people will do anything to fit in or seem endearing, even if that involves participating in their own denigration.

Season four absolutely murdered Tina and turned her into a character impossible to like. I was so sad; where was my positive representation? Honestly, bitch!Tina seemed to be the result of the writers saying, “Welp, all these strong personalities are graduating from McKinley, so we’ll need someone to be the new boss bad bitch.” The result was that Tina became a sort of Santana/Rachel hybrid, which is awful and felt forced in any case, like giving a bunny a flamethrower. And her obsession with Blaine? Ew.

So, in this verse I’m going to say that Tina became older and wiser; for better or for worse she’s capable of change. (This time better!) However, Rachel and Blaine usually only change after re-learning the same lessons over and over again, and by the next episode they’re back to themselves. So, no character redemption there, sorry.

Rant over. Let’s get going!

-O-

Kurt and Adam ought to have known something was rotten in the state of New York when Mercedes casually requested heading to their apartment for coffee after lunch earlier that afternoon. After all, the young diva dropped by unannounced virtually every night for dinner, amused at Adam feeding her two or three helpings of food before dessert, and less so by Kurt’s insistence on making her probiotic protein shakes that were as healthy as they were awful.

The Hummel-Crawfords knew she was humoring them and were grateful; after all, at eight months Mercedes’ belly ballooned out, making her back ache and it difficult for her to walk comfortably. Guilty even though Mercedes assured them she knew what she’d been signing up for (more or less), Kurt and Adam felt better doting over her, massaging her back, making ice cream runs, or watching old musicals together. Mercedes certainly didn’t object, knew she wouldn’t be refused anything. She didn’t have to ask.

Looking back, Adam thought he’d seen Mercedes quickly compose flashes of secret smiles, dark eyes knowing.

As Kurt unlocked the door, there’d been near-cataclysmic screams of “SURPRISE!” that had nearly sent a startled Kurt reeling back into the hall, and while Mercedes roared with laughter Adam looked on in amazement as Kurt’s old Glee club friends rushed to meet them. He grinned broadly and laughed himself in the flurry of handshakes and hugs; for better or for worse, Kurt’s friends were never boring.

The room was carpeted with balloons and streamers, and there was an enormous, pram-shaped cake waiting on the coffee room table next to a sea of wrapped packages. Flushed and beaming, Kurt wiped his eyes as he stooped to embrace the small children clamoring for his attention—Emmanuelle and Israel, known as Emmy and Izzy. “Oh dear God. It’s a glee-union.”

“We couldn’t let the opportunity to throw you a party pass,” said Quinn, looking pleased as the children sidled next to their mother, eying the cake hopefully.

“You mean you couldn’t pass up an excuse to come to New York.”

Quinn’s pale eyes twinkled with amusement. “I thought they were one and the same. You’ll find a picture of New York skyscrapers in a dictionary underneath the word party—I know these things, I’m a lawyer. And it was the least I could do; you two must’ve felt you’d fallen off the world when you came to the twins’ shower in Vermont.”

“More or less. Good ice cream, though.”

Israel had wandered to sit on the sofa in-between Mike and his girlfriend Marley. Lieutenant Colonel (Kurt still thought it bizarre to think of him that way) cast a reproving smile at his son, quipping a brow.

“Son, remember the bus? What do you do when you see a pregnant lady?”

Izzy’s eyes widened. “Oh.” He clamored off the sofa and timidly approached Mercedes, holding out a hand. “Excuse me ma’am. You can have my seat.”

“Oh! Thank you, baby angel boy.”

Kurt shook his head in silent wonder as Izzy lead Mercedes to the sofa, the woman sighing in relief as she settled down. Puck looked pleased.

“And why do we remember to be nice to ladies, especially pregnant ones?”

“Because chicks dig manners.”

Quinn punched Puck in the arm as everyone laughed. Kurt chuckled as he and Adam sank onto love seats. “You really had me going there for a second, Puck. Still a far cry from the guy whom used to throw me into dumpsters.”

“Yeah well, the chain stops and ends with blah-blah-Oprah-spiel blah.”

Eyes shining, Kurt slipped his hand in Adam’s as he looked around the room. How different a time from high school and yet there was still so much the same: Santana was leaning against the wall trying to look bored and instead just looking amused. She released several duo hits with Mercedes before deciding she preferred more behind-the-scene action, and was now an A-list publicist whom received a metric grip of letters a month requesting her services. Beside her was her wife Brittany, in dead-serious conversation with Emmy over proper feeding and care of unicorns. Brittany starred in a children’s show filled with puppets (whom Brittany believed were alive) dedicated to teaching children physics and collegiate equations. Not far away was her own child Luz, whom was peeking into tissue-stuffed gift bags to see if anything of interest was there.

Not far away Artie was cooing to his bleary-eyed baby Stephen on one knee, and his live-in girlfriend Tina perched on the other. Tina had starred in several of her husband’s films, but recently turned her attention to developing her own line of steampunk clothing, costume jewelry and cosmetics. Kurt smiled as she grinned and waved; they loved the finer points of fashion together and had rekindled their friendship from far away. It hadn’t been so difficult as he’d feared; Tina was no longer the callous person she was her last year in high school. It helped that even Tina was no longer really speaking to…

He moved on; Sam was leaning behind the couch and was kissing a giggling Mercedes on the cheek; they were on-off-on-off-on-for-ten-months-steady now. Kurt felt a pang of gratitude that Sam had been so accepting of Mercedes’ decision to be his and Adam’s birth mother, though he wanted children of his own…

He tasted his heart in his throat when he looked on an empty seat that ought to have been Finn’s, the young man brightly eager to meet his niece or nephew. No one had sat in it and perhaps thought the same thing…

Rachel and Blaine were also conspicuous by their absence, but in this case it was the better alternative. He’d come to appreciate cutting himself off from toxic people, even in the painful circumstance that they loved you. Or believed they did.

But everyone else remained. Them and the best person he’d ever known.

Adam looked down at him as he rested his head against his shoulder, so filled with quiet happiness he would be content never leaving this moment, save to meet the baby…

“Okay, pound puppy, enough with the misty eyes,” Santana drawled, whom threw a box in their direction; Adam only just managed to keep it slipping from his fingertips. “Didn’t come all this way for your boohoo.”

“We live in the same building.”

“Your point being?”

“We were going to throw you a gender-revealing party,” said Brittany, whom by now was sitting with Emmy in her lap. “The kind where you cut open a cake and everyone waits to see either pink or blue.” Suddenly she looked troubled. “But we didn’t know the gender. The cake is blueberry-flavored, but it came out purple on the inside. Did I make an inter-sex baby?”

“Well, at birth we’ll only know the baby’s sex, not gender identity,” reasoned Adam, pressing his head against Kurt’s. “It’s not like the baby will come out waving a blue and pink flag, or even a rainbow one.”

“Considering the amount of gay energy you and Prancy Smurf exude, it wouldn’t surprise me,” said Santana loftily as Kurt tentatively turned over her gift as if there might be a bomb inside it.

“I wish you’da let us know what the sex is,” piped up Artie. “Tina couldn’t decide what kind of clothes to make, so she wound up making a mini David Bowie-esque wardrobe.”

“Hey! Now I’m gonna tell them you got the baby hardcore rap music!”

“We already know the baby’s going to be intersex,” said Brittany patiently. “The cake says so.”

“Bae, the cake doesn’t get to decide whether the baby’s a chick or has a dick.”

“But cake doesn’t lie. And while we’re talking about presents, my gift comes from Lord Tubbington the third,” said Brittany proudly. “The gift of being allowed to see dead people.”

A pause. “And how did that come about, Brittany?” Asked Kurt, as if he were talking to a three-year-old.

“Easy. He waved his tail, like how the three good fairies waved their wands for Princess Aurora. Now when the baby comes, he’ll be able to see all the dead people.” She looked very proud. “Not some. All.”

“Excellent.” Said Adam gracefully. “What a good gift. I’ll be sure to send the cat a thank-you note.”

“Did the gift come with a receipt?” Kurt complained. “Can you give my baby the gift of song instead?”

“Baby boy, the kid already has the gift of song,” Mercedes griped, looking indignant. “I’m the baby momma, and you two are gonna be singing in this kid’s face like a nonstop musical.”

“That sounds like hell,” said Puck, looking disturbed. “I actually included both pink and blue hair dye for the kid once she/he wants a faux hawk.”

“We appreciate our share of the favor,” said Adam with a smile, before Kurt could object. For the sake of his sanity he’d learned long ago to not ask too many questions amidst the New Directions. He felt a bit wistful that he wound up meeting them so much later on, and felt genuinely privileged to sit with these fine lunatics. “But we didn’t want to inundate the baby in blue or pink, which is what surely would’ve happened had we found out.”

“These posers don’t want to know.” Complained Mercedes as Quinn poured her a glass of lemonade. “And I know that if I knew the sex, I’d want to spill my guts to someone here. And sooner or later it’d make its way back to them.”

“Why worry? It’s not like Rachel’s here,” Puck pointed out. Not a second later he looked sheepish.

Everyone stiffened a bit at that. Kurt briefly flicked his eyes to the ceiling, and Adam sighed.

“So!” said Marley cheerfully, nonetheless sounding strained. “Um, how’s she doing, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“Not good,” said Brittany vaguely. She was the only member of New Directions whom occasionally spoke to Rachel, mainly because she was too kind to hold a grudge. Or too forgetful; no one was sure which. She twisted a blond curl between her fingertips. “She and Blaine are getting divorced. It’ll be in all the supermarket magazines soon.”

“Pay up,” said Puck to Artie, whom rolled his eyes and began digging for his wallet. Tina looked affronted. “You couldn’t have told us that earlier?”

“No. Because it’s Adam’s day and Kurt’s day and baby intersex’s day.”

“Thanks, lovely,” said Kurt gratefully.

“Blaine wanted to come today,” muttered Sam. “This time I told him no.”

Everyone looked at him; he shrugged uncomfortably. “Normally, I’d…but, well…he’s…”

“Just say it,” Santana snapped impatiently. “Everyone knows the hobbit whom likes hiding cake in his socks would keep things lively, but I don’t need to get blood all over these walls up here in this bitch.”

“Damn straight you won’t. I just had them painted.

“Remember last time?” said Mike, looking pained.

“Of course we remember last time. Who needs to call the cops during a kid’s christening?” Mercedes demanded.

“I don’t condone violence normally anymore, but I made an exception for him,” said Puck, cracking his knuckles. “I’m just so relieved the church had a quality brand dumpster ready. My only regret is that the truck wasn’t on its way to take it to the dump.”

“Puck.”

“What? Dude, I promised your brother on his deathbed—“ A shadow passed over Puck’s eyes “—that I’d beat the crap outta anyone who’d try making you sad. And I owe you for all those years I tossed you in the scrap.”

“…um, thanks, Puck. That’s sweet and violent at the same time.”

“People say the same about me, funnily enough,” said Santana loftily. “Although they usually omit the ‘sweet’ part.”

“I thought at least Rachel would come, though,” said Quinn softly, chin in hand. “But she said she was sick.”

“’Sick’ is Rachel Berry code for ‘I’m on a yacht near some leprosy island somewhere.’ You saw the tabloids.”

“But we all came for The Stud Muffin.” Said Tina sadly. “For her and Blaine.”

“I wish we hadn’t. I cried for the hour and a half of my life I’ll never get back,” scoffed Puck. “Thank God my man Adam faked an allergic reaction to the food at the after party.” Adam had just been passed a beer, and now raised it in Puck’s direction.

“I thought the movie was maybe intentionally bad,” said Artie with a frown. “Some kind of advent-garde social statement?”

“The only statement baby girl over here got was that there are better things to do with your time than watch Stud Muffin. Like cut yourself.”

“And that includes hanging out with those two, especially considering they only come when they need a shoulder to cry on.”

“Or someone to mooch on for over a year,” said Sam wearily.

“People grow apart,” Tina said, looking uncomfortable. Doubtful even. “It’s just…” She shook her head. “I just don’t even recognize him anymore. And it’s not the weight, that’s just…whatever, but c’mon, it’s a high school romance. He needs to let Kurt go.”

“Can we please not—“

“Do you know what kind of freaks we are, that most of us wound up getting married to our high school sweethearts? It’s like we went to musical Hogwarts.”

“Not Kurt, though,” said Artie as he stuffed a fistful of dollars into Puck’s waiting hand. “He had the nerve to marry outside our big, happy, incestuous family. I think everyone here has slept with someone here at this point but Kadam.”

Adam pressed a fist against his mouth but couldn’t conceal the laugh. Kurt looked as if the soul had been sucked out of him.

“Do you have to keep calling us that?”

“Why not? It’s cute.”

“I ship Kadam,” said Adam as he started cutting pieces of cake for the restless children. Luz wound up pushing Izzy to the side once Adam cut a corner slice with a flower on it. Britney had donated the egg and Mike the sperm, but Santana had been Luz’s surrogate. And she had Santana’s blood running through her veins. Kurt flicked him.

“No. Not you too!”

“Adam was already in show choir,” said Brittany slowly. “So that makes him our cousin, basically.” She patted his hand. “Don’t worry, Adam. You’re marrying a relative too.”

“Well, hooray for incest,” said Adam graciously, which wasn’t something he’d ever imagined he’d say.

“Can we get to opening presents already?” Mercedes whined. Kurt prepared to rip the paper off his box, but Mike spoke up, sounding dazed:

“Are Blaine and Rachel really getting divorced?”

“Well, twinkle-toes, I hate to break this to you, but Blainers is gay, and Rachel is straight. One of these things is not like the others…”

“I know, it’s just…it just seems like yesterday they were sending those flowery invites. The weird ones with the entwined male and female sex symbols?”

“Incidentally, changing your décor won’t change your sexuality.”

“I’ve tried,” said Kurt sadly.

“I’m glad it failed,” said Adam smoothly.

“Get a room,” Mike muttered.

Adam’s blue eyes twinkled mischievously. “Welllll, our room is next door—“ Kurt shoved him.

“I feel bad for them,” murmured Brittany. “They must’ve felt all alone in the world. That’s why they got married. Lord Tubbington’s the same way; that’s why he now has alimony payments to his fourth wife.”

“And we all went to the wedding, regardless if we…sort of fell apart along the way.” Said Artie, sighing. “Sam tried talking to him, we all tried talking to him, but we couldn’t persuade him otherwise.”

“Kind of what happens when someone marries someone out of pure spite,” said Santana quietly. Kurt wished with all his heart they’d let this go; all of the pastel-colored boxes were cute. “Even I wouldn’t sink that low.”

Marley looked thoughtful. “I remember during the rehearsal dinner Blaine kept talking over and over again about how happy he was. It was a little emphatic.” Her brow furrowed. “Because he kept looking over at our table and repeating it.”

“I don’t remember,” said Kurt dismissively. “Adam was showing me a funny video on his phone under the table.”

“Oh, so that’s what you guys were doing,” Tina purred, winking at a mortified-looking Kurt. “I thought…”

“There are children in the room!”

“You know, something we never told the ladies here is that while the groomsmen were getting ready in the hotel room, Blaine staggered in and begged Kurt to take him back.”

Mercedes, Rachel, Tina, Brittany and Santana inhaled the same breath at the same time. Kurt sighed again.

“I’m sure he didn’t actually mean it. He was drunk, and he’s not in love with me—just the idea of being young, full of potential, and not a complete…” He made a vague wave motion with his hand.

“Douche canoe?” Santana offered, accepting a slice of cake.

“Caution: Children.”

“Caution: My daughter hears a lot spicier words from her abuela,” said Santana sweetly.

“Well, I think he did want you back, considering he fell to his knees, buried his face in your suit, and bawled…that was before Adam socked him.”

Adam turned red. Mercedes looked intrigued.

“I thought that black eye came from…what did Blaine say it was from?”

“Falling down the stairs and somehow blacking his eye on the way.”

“Well, well, well, looks like Sir I’m-Such-A-Well-Mannered-Englishman has some teeth after all,” said Santana, lip curling.

“I felt like I achieved the American dream that day,” said Adam, and the room burst into applause. Puck nodded appreciatively.

“I’ll get you a medal.”

“And after Kurt and Adam escaped out the window, Blaine got up and said he didn’t mean any of it, that he still loved Rachel,” said Sam softly. “And was just playing a late joke. None of us thought it was funny. I didn’t want to watch him do this to himself, but I thought…I’d at least stay through the ceremony before leaving. If only for in memory of what we used to have.”

“I stayed for booze and free food,” said Puck. “And to toss Blaine into another dumpster on my way out.”

“Was that really necessary?”

“Oh, come on. That was a fancy-ass dumpster filled with caviar, or some crap. He ought to have been flattered.”

“We might be here for awhile,” Kurt whispered in Adam’s ear, sounding annoyed, but affectionately so. Adam kissed him on the cheek and hummed.

The upside to Kurt’s friends visiting was that cable television was rendered completely unnecessary.

-O-

#kadam week 2017 #kadam fanfic #kadam #kurt hummel #adam crawford

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