The rest of the day was fairly quiet.

The tamer occupied himself with some chores, and occasionally logged in to check his work email. Despite Pete's concerns, the world hadn't ended after having the day off, and there weren't any urgent issues that demanded his attention.

Ren had remained in his own room and the tamer had left him to it, not wanting to pressure the digimon further after their discussion.

He had expected Ren to eventually come through so they could have something to eat. However, the digimon had already missed lunch, too engrossed in whatever he was doing.

It had gotten to early evening and the tamer had retreated to his bedroom, deciding to take a short nap. Reaching over to the bedside table, he glanced at his clock.

6:32PM

He turned off the lamp and started to nod off.

—

He was dozing away, when the sound of a knock at his door stirred him awake.

Staring blearily, he could make out a shape against the light coming in from the hall.

"Ugh… Ren? Is that you?"

"Yes, Tamer. Could we talk?"

He let out a tired groan, rolling over to glance at his clock.

11:07PM

"Damn, I overslept."

He flipped the lamp back on, involuntarily squinting at the sudden brightness.

“...uh… we can talk, but do you want something to eat first? You missed lunch."

"Not currently. I wanted to ask you something."

"Yeah… um… sure."

"You said you… snuggled… with Youkomon."

The tamer paused, giving Ren a dubious look. That was not the topic he had been expecting.

"Yeaaaah… what about it?"

"But you never wanted to with me."

"What? I never said I didn't want to. I just… you never asked. I mean… that's the only reason I did with Yuki. Because he asked… well, demanded really."

In his sleepy state, it took the tamer a moment before the penny dropped.

"...you're jealous, aren't you?"

Ren was quick to deny the accusation.

"No! I mean, of course not. I just…"

"You're a terrible liar, Ren."

"No… I…"

Ren realised he was just digging himself deeper into a hole, folding his arms and grumbling to himself.

"...not jealous."

"Alright Mr Not-Jealous, why'd you want to talk about it?"

Ren opened his mouth to speak, but hesitated. His grumpy expression was replaced by a perplexed one.

"I… was just… curious?"

The tamer let out a tired sigh.

"Maybe you were, but I reckon there's another reason. Do you wanna snuggle?"

"I…"

Seeing Ren's hesitation, the tamer pressed for an answer.

“Yes or no, Ren."

Ren simply stared at the floor.

The tamer let out a sigh at the digimon's indecision. He swung his legs so he was sitting up on the edge of the bed. He gestured for Ren to sit down next to him.

“...still figuring out what you want, huh?"

Ren gave a sigh of his own as he sat down on the bed.

“Yes."

“Does the thought of me snuggling with Yuki bother you?"

“No."

Ren's tone was defensive, as if suggesting it was a ridiculous idea.

The tamer gave a doubtful look, clearly unconvinced by the answer.

Ren's expression slowly turned indignant under the tamer's scrutiny. He looked away, not wanting to admit he was bothered, but also unable to deny it. Eventually he relented.

“...yes."

“Why?"

“I am not sure exactly. It just… makes me uncomfortable."

“Because you don't trust Yuki?"

“That might be part of it…"

“And the other part?"

“It… it is silly. Just… you only knew Youkomon for a day, but you were already more comfortable with him than with me."

The tamer gave a snort.

“Ren… I slapped you on the arse. It's hard to get much more comfortable than that."

“But… you were uncomfortable about that afterwards."

“Well, yeah… or… more embarrassed, I guess. I still can't believe I did that.. But I am comfortable around you, ok?"

“Really?"

“Yes, really. Like… how 'bout this morning before the alarm went off? That was… uh… pretty comfortable, right?"

“Well, yes."

“Right. So I'm happy to snuggle if you want to. I'm just reluctant-… no, that's not the right word, sorry. Maybe… let's say concerned… because of the whole 'serve the tamer' thing."

Ren gave a confused look.

“Why is that?"

“Well… I just… I dunno… it just makes me worried that you'd feel like you have to. Like… I don't want to force you to. But with Yuki, he knew exactly what he wanted, so I wasn't worried. Does that… you know… make sense?"

“I… think I understand."

“Good. If you want to, that's fine. I just want you to make the decision."

“I will keep that in mind."

“Alright."

He let out a light chuckle.

“...and don't be jealous of Yuki. He didn't even get to try pizza or chicken sandwiches."

Ren's eyes widened as he remembered the magic foods, before narrowing to scrutinise the tamer.

“You still owe me a pizza, Tamer."

The tamer's face wrinkled into a mix between a frown and smirk.

“Damn. I thought you'd forget."

Ren gave a smug look.

“Not a chance."

“Would you settle for cereal tonight? Pizza shop's not open Mondays."

The smugness on Ren's face was instantly replaced with disappointment at the offered replacement.

—

The pair were sitting at the dining table having a gourmet course of cereal.

Ren still looked disappointed at not getting the promised pizza, idly prodding at the bowl with his spoon.

The tamer had finished his own bowl, and was fiddling once more with the digivice. He held it up as he spoke.

“You know how you said Yuki was responsible for this…"

“Yes."

“So how does that even work?"

Ren pushed the cereal aside as he explained what he knew about the altered digivice.

“The digivice is a product of the digital world, so it is a data-based device. Since a digimon is linked to a digivice, with enough skill they could manipulate the digivice's data and reconfigure it."

“Ok, so kinda like your shorts?"

“Essentially, although a digivice is slightly more complicated."

“Right. And how come there are so many different styles?"

“Of digivices?"

The tamer nodded at Ren's question.

“...well, I suppose it depends on the partnership between tamer and digimon. The digivice is the link, so it manifests in a form to facilitate that link."

“So it somehow decides what form it needs to take?"

“I am not certain, but I believe that is most likely."

“And then Yuki somehow modified it without even touching it?"

“If Youkomon is linked to it the same as me, then yes… he could modify it to be a different design."

“So… since Yuki could modify it, that means he is linked to it… which means technically he is my digimon partner."

“No! I mean… we cannot be sure…"

Ren hesitated. He loathed the thought that Youkomon may genuinely be partnered with his tamer, but he also knew there was no way someone else could have modified the digivice.

He had a sullen look on his face as he finished what he was saying.

“...I suppose it is possible."

“Just possible? Or the truth?"

“I still do not like it, Tamer."

“I know. We'll work on it."

The tamer got up to take his bowl to the kitchen. He pointed to the soggy remnants of cereal in Ren's bowl.

“...you gonna finish that?"

“Hmm? Oh…"

Ren stared at the remains, watching as the cereal slowly disintegrated into the milk. He had been preoccupied with the conversation and the cereal had now lost all appeal.

“...I think I will pass."

“Fair enough."

The tamer took the bowls through and rinsed them out, before returning to the table.

“...so what were you up to this afternoon? You were in your room for ages."

“I was still trying to remember what happened at the battle. No matter how hard I focus, I cannot seem to recall anything."

“Hmm… still having trouble, huh?"

Ren crossed his arms and leaned forward onto the table, resting his chin atop his arms. He stared absently with a troubled expression on his face.

“Yes. I do not know how to overcome this. It does not matter how many times I go over what I can remember in my mind. I can never see beyond that last hit."

“Can I suggest something?"

The digimon's ears perked and his eyebrows raised as he looked to the tamer in anticipation.

“Of course. I would appreciate your guidance."

“Well, Yuki said-"

Ren's ears immediately flattened back down and his expression turned sour at Yuki's name being mentioned.

“No."

The tamer gave a frustrated sigh.

“Ren, I didn't even finish what I was saying"

“It is probably some trick to get me to let him loose again."

“Come on. You haven't got any better ideas. It might help."

Ren leaned back with his arms still crossed, not giving any further indication he was willing to listen to the proposal.

Ignoring the digimon's stubbornness, the tamer continued.

“...look, it's not even really his idea. In his message he just said you were doing it wrong. Now, you said you were trying really hard to remember. So I figure… maybe you need to try the opposite. Just like… relax and let it come to you or something."

Ren's expression softened slightly.

The tamer gave a small smirk.

“...doesn't sound so bad, does it?"

“I suppose it sounds… reasonable."

“You can even look up some meditation tips on my computer or something. Might help you."

Ren gave a sigh.

“Yes, that sounds like a good idea. Thank you for your guidance, Tamer."

“Alright, we can look some stuff up tomorrow. But I think I'm gonna call it a night for now. You gonna stay up or go to bed?"

“I think I will stay up a while longer. I still have some things to think about."

“Well… just make sure to give your mind some rest… and don't worry about Yuki. We'll figure it out."

“Do not worry, Tamer. I will."

“Alright. Turn the lights off when you go to bed, yeah?"

“Of course."

“Alright, I'll see you in the morning. Good night Ren."

“Good night, Tamer."

The tamer headed for his bedroom, leaving Ren to ponder on his own.

—

"Zzz…"

The tamer was fast asleep, when the sound of his door creaking open broke his slumber.

"...wuh?"

Once again, he stared blearily towards the door. However, in the pitch dark, he couldn't make out anything. He hoped it was his digimon.

"...Ren?"

"Yes, Tamer."

"GAH!"

He was expecting a response from towards the door, but the voice came from directly beside him, jolting him awake. Ren had somehow snuck up silently beside the bed. The tamer could just make out the digimon's outline in the glow from the clock.

Speaking of, he glanced over to the clock, taking a moment for his eyes to focus on the numbers.

2:07AM

"Dammit Ren… it's 2 in the morning. What are you doing?"

“I wanted to ask you something."

“Urgh… can't it wait?"

Ren picked up on the tamer's exasperation.

"It… well… it could. I just…"

Ren was clearly debating internally about whether to leave the matter or keep going.

Given he had already been woken, the tamer elected to make the decision for him.

"What is it, Ren?"

The digimon took that as an invitation to sit down, making himself comfortable on the edge of the bed.

“I… made a decision."

That got the tamer's attention.

“Oh? About what?"

“I…"

Ren hesitated.

As the tamer's eyes adjusted to the dark, he realised Ren was sitting with his hands in his lap, fidgeting restlessly.

“Come on, Ren. Just tell me."

Ren took a breath, working himself up.

“I… want to snuggle."

The tamer let out a snicker.

Ren's head tilted in confusion

“...what is funny?"

“Nothing, just… strange hearing you actually say it."

“You said I should tell you if I wanted to."

“Yeah, I know. Anyway, come on then."

He patted the empty space on the other side of the bed. Ren got the hint and wandered around to that side.

“...I gotta warn you though, you're not gonna get full snuggle value at this time of night."

“What do you mean?"

“Well, I'm probably gonna fall asleep again."

"That is alright, Tamer. I do not wish to keep you up."

"But you're fine waking me up at 2 in the morning."

The tamer had lifted the covers as he spoke and Ren had been lowering himself onto the bed, but froze at the tamer's offhanded tone. His ears pinned back, fearing that he'd upset his tamer.

"I… that was not…"

Ren slumped in defeat. He remained sitting on the edge of the bed, one leg up on the bed and the other hanging off the side.

"...I am sorry, Tamer. I will stop bothering you."

He made to leave, but the tamer grabbed his arm to stop him.

"Too late now, ya mooch. Come here."

“Wha-heeyyy!"

The tamer pulled Ren's arm, dragging the digimon back down to the bed before quickly throwing the covers over him.

Ren was left startled, all of a sudden finding himself lying on his back and staring at the ceiling.

The tamer waited a moment for Ren to get comfortable, but the digimon made no move to get closer to the tamer.

He gave Ren a nudge.

“Well?"

Ren lay there timidly, unsure what to do.

“What now, Tamer?"

“Well… how did you imagine this would go?"

"I… I did not think this far ahead."

“So now would be the time to think about it then."

Ren continued to lay still, thinking about what he would like to do.

The tamer found it humorous how Ren seemed to struggle with something relatively simple. He could throw himself headlong into a fight without hesitation, but the idea of cosying up with the tamer really stumped him.

Eventually the digimon spoke up, having an idea to share.

"Could you… put your arm around me?"

“Oh, you wanna be the little spoon?"

“What does this have to do with spoons?"

“It's just… nevermind. You wanna face over to the wall?"

“Would that be… best?"

“Yeah."

Ren did as told, rolling onto his side to face away from the tamer.

The tamer scooted over slightly, before wrapping his arm around the digimon's waist and pulling Ren back to his chest. Despite being a similar height to the tamer, Ren was much lighter and so the tamer could move him easily.

“...comfy, Ren?"

“Ummm…"

The tamer couldn't remember Ren ever stammering like that before. It seemed he was completely at odds with the situation.

“You still ok with this Ren? We don't have to con-"

“No, it's fine!"

Ren's response was immediate, almost fearful of letting the tamer finish what he was about to suggest.

“... I just… was not expecting to be so… close."

“Really? I mean… that's what snuggling is."

“Yes, I… I knew. Just… now it is happening. I think I was not prepared for the reality of it. But it is… nice."

“Yeah, I always used to enjoy this…"

The tamer trailed off, but Ren didn't miss the implication.

“You did this previously?"

The tamer gave a sigh.

“Well, not with a digimon. But I had a girlfriend."

“But… not anymore?"

“Nah, we broke up ages ago."

“I am… sorry to hear that."

“Meh. I got over it."

He gave a chuckle.

“...well, mostly. Still think about her occasionally."

“What happened?"

“Nothing, really. We just… grew apart. She was a nurse at the hospital. When COVID happened, she got dragged into working some crazy hours. She needed support… and I wasn't the right person for that."

“How so, Tamer?"

“Well, I was a bit relaxed about it. I'm not good at that sort of stuff… more of the 'stay strong, we'll get through it' type of person. I mean, I wouldn't say I'm unsympathetic. Just not… emotionally sensitive, you know?"

“You seem like a caring person to me, though."

“Thanks. I guess after that I did try to be a bit more thoughtful to others. So… even though this isn't a… uh… romantic partnership, I can still apply some lessons learned to try and be a good tamer for you."

“I appreciate that you do, Tamer. Likewise I will strive to be a good partner."

“You already are, Ren. And…as an added bonus, I get someone warm and fluffy to snuggle with. If you're ok with it, that is."

“I… yes, I am. It is nice being close like this. I am… enjoying it."

“Me too." 

The tamer cuddled in to the back of Ren's ruff and the pair slowly drifted to sleep.