#honingtijgertje

[jamesthedigidestined]

Digital Love

This is a birthday fic dedicated to @dutchforstrangers, someone who has become irreplaceable to me in every sense of the word. She helped me rediscover my love for Digimon and more than that, helped me discover things about myself. She takes amazing care of me and I couldn’t ask for someone better in my life. She is truly my Digital Love 🧡🧡🧡

The 21st of March. Out of all days, Taichi knew to tread lightly on that one. It was the day of one of his largest fights with Sora, and consequently led to almost losing the entire world. And if it weren’t for the ingenuity of his best friend Koushirou, they would have.

“I guess that’s why old men say ‘a happy wife is a happy life’.” Taichi laughs softly and sighs, drinking from his glass of orange juice. It was years after that fateful day, and it was nothing but a memory. A strong, nerve-wracking one, but one he didn’t share alone.

And, ever since that day, he was much more careful to gift Sora things she would enjoy, and they would talk about them properly. If she felt upset by a gift they would talk it out and learn to understand each other because of it. Even if gifts didn’t always work out, it was a valuable experience to learn about each other.

This birthday was not like normal birthdays though. It was the first birthday of Sora’s since they began dating, and it was so close to their anniversary as well. To Taichi, who had grown familiar and happy with their current system, felt like one wrong move and everything could collapse on-top of him.

So, naturally, there was only one person he could call.

“Hey, Koushirou? Are you awake?”

“Mmmh, you caught me just as I got out of bed. So yes, but barely. Is something wrong?”

“Yes, it’s about Sora…”

After explaining his insecurities, Koushirou was quick to invite him to his apartment for breakfast.

After the phone call, Taichi hears the small clacking of claws against hardwood. Turning his head thallway quickly greets him with a small dinosaur-like monster, currently rubbing his eyes.

“Wow, you’re up early Tai! Normally you don’t get up till noon on saturdays.” Agumon notes, drawing laughter from the crazy-haired man as his partner walks to his side.

“It’s a bit of a special day, Agumon. I have to get Sora some gifts before her birthday next week.” Taichi explains, softly scratching the firm scaly head of Agumon.

“Oooh, then that means you’ll be picking up a cake too, right? And speaking of food, I’m hungry! What’s for breakfast, Tai?” Agumon looks up inquisitively, sniffing the air to see if he can tell what it may be without seeing it.

“Let me get you a quick bite, we don’t need you emptying Koushirou’s pantry! Remember how annoyed Tentomon got when you accidentally ate his favorite honey crackers?” Taichi laughs, shooting Koushirou a text of his sudden change in plans before moving to fix him an omelette.

“Hey, it’s not my fault! He showed them to me and I was hungry! Wait, are we going to Izzy’s after breakfast?” Agumon grins at the idea, taking a seat at the table.

“Yeah! To plan out Sora’s gift. Now eat up Agumon, we can’t keep him waiting!” Taichi quickly serves his favorite dinosaur his plate, steam slowly rolling off the fresh omelette.

“Oh boy! Thanks Tai!”

~~~~~~~~~

After feeding his ravenous reptile, Taichi begins the trek to his favorite (male) redhead. A rather short one, they only lived a few floors apart thanks to their shared work, but it was still far enough that they unfortunately didn’t spend all of their time together. Though it still gave Taichi comfort, as he was reminded of their childhood being in the same apartment building.

Taichi soon nears the familiar door. Giving it a firm knock reveals Koushirou, dressed in a large t-shirt and pajama bottoms.

“It appears I’m underdressed for the occasion, eh Taichi-san?” Koushirou jokes, pointing to Taichi’s novelty “suit” t-shirt as he steps aside to let them in. Taichi laughs as he enters the apartment, thanking Koushirou for his hospitality.

Soon they’ve sat down to eat, and Koushirou begins the conversation rather swiftly.

“So, you’re worried that after so long, being in a relationship with Sora-san will change how she perceives your gift?” Koushirou questions casually, beginning to dig into his food as he smiles warmly.

“Of course I am! Things are different, we’re not kids anymore. What if she doesn’t enjoy my gift? What if she takes it the wrong way and we fight?” Taichi lays his fears out plainly to his best friend before Koushirou turns to his side, softly hugging Taichi.

“You’ll both be fine, she’s our Sora-san after all. She’ll fully understand your buying habits and methodology after so long.” Koushirou soothes Taichi as best he can, gently pushing Taichi to start to eat.

“Hmm… but I’m still unsure of gift ideas…” Taichi slowly states, thinking as he starts to eat his own meal.

After that they were left in a comfortable silence, eating and enjoying themselves as they watched their Digimon goof around, eventually ending in a harmless “stand off” between Agumon and Tentomon over Tentomon’s cat perch-turned-‘tree’.

“You know, Taichi-san, if it would help you, I may have a gift idea…”

“Please Koushirou, I’m drawing nothing but blanks!”

“Alright, well, I know she’s been gossiping a lot about some boy band with the rest of the girls. I believe their name was ‘Stray Kids’. I can’t say I entirely follow, but I know she’s been very enthusiastic about it.”

“So that’s what she’s been dancing to! Koushirou, you’re a genius!” Taichi beams wide, holding him tight.

“Will you come with me to find a gift, Koushirou? Or have you already bought yours?”

“I already have a gift, however, I have been planning to pick up some new CDs.”

“Really? CDs in this day and age? You’re still so old-school Kou~”

“If they still make them then it’s not quite all that ‘old-school’, now is it? Anyway, give me a moment to change and we can head out.”

“Kou, we’re fine like this! Casual, sure, but it’s the weekend!”

“Fine, Taichi-san, I’ll try to be casual today. Tentomon, could you please hold down the apartment while we’re away?”

“And Agumon, don’t touch Tentomon’s tree!”

“Thank you Taichi-han, at least someone tried talking some sense into him! And I will do my best Koushirou-han, please stay safe!”

“Aww but Tai, it looks so comfy!”

“Agumon, I’ll build you your own comfy cave when I get back, okay?” Taichi laughs as he stands to retrieve theit jackets, the air still not fully warmed after the Winter’s harsh chills.

“Alright Tai, stay safe! Byeee!” And with that, both Agumon and Tentomon begin to wave, the young men returning the gesture as they close the door.

~~~~~~~~~

After a long, albeit fun, day with Kou at the local shopping mall, Taichi finally had his gift for Sora in hand. It was pristinely wrapped in tiger stripes, something he felt fit Sora perfectly.

Although, his fears were still prevalent. What if she hated the CD? She has them all on streaming, after all. Regardless though, Koushirou assured him that it was a good gift as it showed his interest in her hobbies and acknowledges them.

Taking that to heart, Taichi intended to listen to the music with her. He began to research into the band, at least well enough to decipher who was who in the group. He even noticed some similarities between himself, his friends, and this group.

So, with all of the prepping he’s done and the gift in hand, he decides to rush in headfirst.

“Soraaa, I’m hereee~” Taichi sings playfully, knocking the syllables out as he waits for Sora to answer. Rather quickly an arm grabs him and pulls him inside, a tight hug formed around him.

“Well there you are Taichi! I’ve been waiting for you~” Sora coos happily, moving to kiss his cheek.

“Sorry! I had to do some last minute preparations! We should be all set now for our night alone~” Taichi returns the sentiment as he holds her close, their lips just about to touch before the present slides itself inbetween their faces.

“But, before that, your present my love~”

“Hehe~ You didn’t have to!” She smiles warmly, kissing his lips softly as she gently takes the package. She leads him to the living room, the two of them taking their favorite places on the couch. She slowly begins to open the present, warmth filling her eyes.

“It’s a… Daft Punk album?” Sora says, confused and grinning.

Taichi, however, is mortified. How did they get swapped??? Did he grab the wrong album from the shelf??? He sits there, deep in self-demeaning thought at his own perceived slights, so deep he doesn’t notice Sora put the album into her stereo system.

Flipping through a few songs, she gives Taichi just the time he needs to snap back to reality.

“Sora, I’m…”

“Taichi, this is great! Wanna dance?~” She questions, a playful spark in her eye as “Digital Love” begins to play.

“Of course, Sora…!” Taichi almost jumps up, eager to spend the rest of the night enjoying the time he spends with Sora, wanting to love her so completely.