Griff4815
No. 1 Grovyle Fan
(Continued from the previous post)
-
Alphamon walked down the second floor corridor in silence. There was a silent intensity in his gait.
RhodoKnightmon quietly walked behind the foremost Royal Knight. His stare was fixed onto Alphamon’s caped back.
To his surprise, Alphamon passed by the staircase at the corner of the corridors. RhodoKnightmon expected Alphamon to bring him up to his office. However, Alphamon turned the corner and began heading down the wing with the Royal Knights’ living quarters.
The pink armoured knight tentatively followed Alphamon down the length of the long hallway. They passed by RhodoKnightmon’s bedroom without instance. They travelled to the very end of the hallway before Alphamon stopped in front of his own room. The Knight of the Empty Seat opened the door to his bedroom.
“Come in,” Alphamon told him, gesturing to his large room with a four-post bed inside.
In other circumstances, RhodoKnightmon may have made a suggestive quip, but he was smart enough to know not to with the seriousness of the situation. The thought didn’t even cross his mind this time. “Very well,” RhodoKnightmon agreed, walking inside Alphamon’s bedroom.
On the left side of the room was a balcony that was attached to the exterior wall. Nearby was a desk full of messy papers and an open journal. The black, gold-lined blanket that was draped over the king-sized bed was cleanly made, although with creases. The room smelled of a faint hint of coffee. RhodoKnightmon briefly wondered if Alphamon would subject him to his coffee as a punishment.
Alphamon stopped in the middle of the room and turned around. RhodoKnightmon closed the door behind them with a push of his ribbon. The rose knight stood a few meters away from Alphamon, staring at him cagily.
“We are not doing this in your office?” RhodoKnightmon questioned as he placed a hand on his slender hip. “I suppose I must really be in for it, mustn’t, I?”
The dark paladin leered at him with stolid eyes. “This is not any sort of formal proceeding or castigation, Rhodo. This is simply a chat between friends…”
RhodoKnightmon frowned and raised his other hand to trace his finger along one of the ribbons leading from his breastplate. “Yes, alright…” he murmured. He glanced up at Alphamon. “…I am sorry about all of that… I truly didn’t mean for you and OuRyuumon to hear that…”
“So, it would have been okay if we hadn’t heard it?” Alphamon methodically countered. “Talking behind others’ backs is rather juvenile and cowardly. The problem isn’t that we overheard it; it is that it was being said at all…”
RhodoKnightmon rubbed his neck sheepishly and looked away. “Yes, I suppose so… However, it wasn’t done maliciously.”
Alphamon sighed. “I know that…” he conceded. “All the same, I can’t say I’m happy about it. OuRyuumon is very sensitive. My relationship with him or Omegamon is really nobody’s business but our own. The issues are ours to sort out, without any outside pressure. I ask that you would keep it that way in the future, RhodoKnightmon.”
“Very well… My apologies, Alphamon…” RhodoKnightmon calmly responded.
Alphamon could very well have left it there. However… He refused to be soft when he felt that there was more that he needed to say. He stalled for a moment before speaking up again.
“…I just wish that you wouldn’t do that so much, Rhodo,” he said, although his words were cautious, as if he wasn’t sure if he wanted to continue.
“Do what?” RhodoKnightmon wondered, cocking his head to the side.
“…The things that you do, Rhodo,” Alphamon quietly explained, although he didn’t shy away from staring into RhodoKnightmon’s eyes. “I wish you wouldn’t flirt with the other Royal Knights and make advances on them. And I wish you wouldn’t vocalize your desire for relationships between the Royal Knights or whoever else you think would make a cute couple. It makes some of them uncomfortable...”
RhodoKnightmon was quiet. Although his exterior was composed and somewhat rigid, he couldn’t help but feel inwardly offended. “…Oh, I see,” RhodoKnightmon calmly spoke, with a faintly sarcastic edge to his voice. “Uncomfortable because I am homosexual, you mean. Is that it, Alphamon?”
Alphamon’s golden eyes hardened somewhat, covering the guilty wince that lay behind his features. He felt a faint stab at the underlying meaning of RhodoKnightmon’s own words. “…No, that isn’t what I meant, RhodoKnightmon,” he insisted. “For Digimon like Duftmon or Omegamon, the gender is irrelevant. They are shy Digimon, and they feel uncomfortable when you make suggestive comments at them. It isn’t only them… I don’t think anybody enjoys feeling uncomfortable in their own home.”
RhodoKnightmon folded his arms. “I have been this way since I joined the Order. Has somebody complained or something?”
“No, but they shouldn’t have to. They put up with it because you are our friend and comrade,” Alphamon explained.
“’Put up with it’…” RhodoKnightmon looked down and frowned thoughtfully. “…I don’t mean any harm by it, Alphamon. When I make those jokes, it is not as though I am trying to force my desires onto them or anything malicious like that. It is simply my sense of humour… Comedy sometimes involves pushing past peoples’ comfort zones and watching them squirm a little bit.”
Alphamon gently folded his arms as well. “Perhaps, Rhodo... However, sometimes you take it too far, both with the flirting and the pairing off. I know you aren’t deliberately trying to hurt anybody, but you need to try to take other peoples’ boundaries into consideration. Some people don’t know how to react to your sense of humour, and sometimes your desired pairings run contrary to what is reality,” he explained.
“I do understand that, Alphamon. However, we are all adults here, and we face actual trauma and danger on a daily basis. I have always assumed that the Royal Knights knew me well enough and were mature enough to take it. If somebody is offended by something I say or do, I generally expect them to tell me and I will gladly respect their wishes.”
“Yes, but it isn’t always easy…” Alphamon stated with a soft frown. “There are sometimes circumstances that keep somebody from speaking up and telling you so. For example, whenever you would jokingly say that you thought that Omegamon and I would make a cute couple, OuRyuumon and I were unable to say that we were already together because I hadn’t confessed to anybody my sexuality. It made things quite uncomfortable. And I can only imagine how Omegamon must have felt… We both know that he tends to keep his true feelings to himself in order to please others. Or, perhaps, others feel that too vehement of a denial would only reinforce the truth in the joke that you are making.”
At this, RhodoKnightmon looked down, unable to help but feel guilty as he mulled over Alphamon’s explanation. “…I suppose I haven’t thought about it like that,” he admitted, twisting the flat ends of his semi-metal sash between his fingertips. He looked back up at Alphamon. “…I’m sorry, Alphamon. You’re right. I will be more mindful of others in the future.”
Alphamon scratched his cheek sheepishly. “…I’m not trying to police you, Rhodo. And I’m not trying to suggest that all of the Royal Knights and our subordinates have porcelain skin and don’t know how to take a joke. However, I hope you can see that there are situations where your sense of humour can be damaging, even if it is all in good fun,” he explained. “It isn’t just because I heard you speak about me and Omegamon. As the head of the Order, it is down to me to ensure that team morale and trust is as high as it can be. It’s especially important in times of crisis such as now… We both know how important team morale can be. And small fissures have a habit of turning into massive chasms when the right amount of pressure is applied. It is because of misunderstandings and bad feelings between friends that we nearly lost everything to DarkKnightmon.”
“Yes, I suppose I can see where you are coming from, Alphamon… However, I want you to see where I am coming from as well.” He looked at him directly. “I know that I make Digimon uncomfortable sometimes… I know that I am very different from the masculine hero that one might expect from a Royal Knight. I can see the subtle signs of discomfort that some Digimon have around me. So, sometimes, I make other people uncomfortable on purpose, simply to get a reaction out of them. Other times, it is just because of who I am. It is my natural state of being, I suppose. I have always been ‘different’. As such, I enjoy trying to make other Digimon embrace things that go against their conservative sensibilities and their kneejerk state of comfort.”
Alphamon couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, that’s true… The very first time that we met, you insisted on making me eat a strange dish that I have never heard of, from far reaches of Colossus. It turned out to be quite delicious… Ever since then, you have always been a Digimon who has opened up the horizons of others. Whether it is simple culinary treats, or something as grand as a whole new way of thinking… It’s thanks to you that we founding Royal Knights were able to move on from the tragedy that was DarkKnightmon’s first rebellion. It wasn’t a comfortable transition either. You forced us to confront the dark shadow that hung over us with your humour and your shameless prodding. It wasn’t easy, and, sometimes, it wasn’t pleasant, but we really did need that.”
The rose knight smiled slightly behind his pink mask. “Thank you. I appreciate that, Alphamon…” His stance relaxed and he allowed his hands to rest casually against his hips. “…I promise that I will do my best to respect other Digimons’ boundaries and privacy in the future, and I will try not to put them in uncomfortable positions. …However, what I will not do is change who I am in order to suit other people.”
Alphamon smiled wider. “I would never ask you to, RhodoKnightmon.”
“Why, I am quite glad to hear that,” RhodoKnightmon responded, his usual sprightly intonation and debonair demeanour returning.
However, as RhodoKnightmon’s mirth returned, Alphamon’s hidden smile faded. Guiltily, he glanced down, pausing as he mulled over his impending words.
“…You must think very lowly of me,” he spoke, looking at RhodoKnightmon with soft eyes. His words weren’t accusatory, but tinged with shame.
RhodoKnightmon was surprised by this. He stared at Alphamon curiously, tilting his head. “Pardon? What do you mean, Alphamon?”
Alphamon sighed but managed a wistful smile at the slender, pink knight. “You and I are very different Digimon, aren’t we?”
“Why, yes, I suppose we are, Alphamon. However, I am at a bit of a loss as to what you mean…”
“You may have noticed this, but… I care what Digimon think about me,” Alphamon explained, staring at the pink knight. “I always have. As the leader of the Order, it is my job to think about how the Royal Knights act and how we appear to others.”
“That is true. You have always had a good head for public relations…” RhodoKnightmon supposed.
Alphamon nodded. “Yes… However, I have always cared about my image on a personal level too. I wouldn’t say that I’m vain, but I have always been concerned about what others thought of me. As Alphamon… I am an exception. A one-of-a-kind Digimon. People have always had opinions about me, especially after… certain events,” he explained sparsely. “It shaped how I act. It made it hard for me to be open about my bisexuality…”
RhodoKnightmon nodded, now realising what Alphamon meant. “Oh, I see…”
Alphamon smiled at him a little. “You have always seemed so comfortable with yourself. As for me…” He closed his eyes meditatively. “Ever since I was a teenager, I always knew I was interested in female Digimon. I have had youthful crushes here and there… However, I also found myself having those same sorts of feelings towards male Digimon. I remember feeling attraction, both physically and emotionally, towards my own gender as well as the opposite one… I was confused at first. I wondered if there was something wrong with me.”
“Oh?” RhodoKnightmon wondered. “I thought that New Terminal was quite cosmopolitan and permissive when it came to that sort of thing. Is that a mistaken perception on my part?”
“Well, no… I remember having seen a number of same-gender partners around the Republic of Node, and especially in New Terminal,” Alphamon explained. “However, I also knew that most formal unions were between Digimon of the opposite gender, for the purposes of reproduction - continuing the family line and inheritance. I knew that same-gender couples, while permitted, were generally the exception rather than the rule. I travelled a lot in my teenage years. I learned that, depending on where I was in the world, those sorts of relationships could be looked down upon or even maltreated. I had heard the slander and the jokes in taverns. I learned what some people thought of people like me. Not everywhere was as accepting as New Terminal was…”
“Yes, it is a pity that there are still close-minded Digimon, isn’t it?” RhodoKnightmon calmly agreed, although he didn’t seem all that bothered.
Alphamon frowned gently. “Indeed… I suppose I was a bit of a coward. Despite the feelings that I had towards men, I think I subconsciously tried to ignore those feelings and just focus on what was most universally socially acceptable. I, by no means, had an active romantic life, but I chose to focus my attention solely on female Digimon. I opted to go with the most comfortable route… Of course I have had feelings for men since then, but it wasn’t until OuRyuumon confessed his feelings to me that I felt strongly enough to pursue a relationship. And, even then, I was cautious about it. I didn’t feel that I could tell my closest friends, and I was worried that we would be found out.”
A gentle sigh escaped Alphamon’s lips. “Looking back, I’m ashamed of how I acted. I put enormous pressures on not just myself, but also OuRyuumon, and I didn’t trust my closest friends because I thought that they would hate me. I was insecure, and I didn’t have faith in all of you. It wasn’t the truth that drove wedges between us, but concealing the truth. When I look at you, who has been completely honest with your sexuality from the start and your clear comfort with yourself, I can only imagine what you must think of me.”
RhodoKnightmon smiled sweetly and walked up to Alphamon. He placed a hand on Alphamon’s cheek for a moment, gazing into his eyes. “My dear Alphamon…” he kindly spoke, sliding his hand from the black, metal surface. “Our experiences are very different. I would never judge you for being hesitant about coming out… It may have been easy for me, but I am not so self-righteous to assume that it isn’t difficult for other people. It is a massive moment. You had your reasons for being cautious, and they were very understandable ones. You mustn’t be hard on yourself. It is just who you are, and that is not necessarily a bad thing.”
Alphamon smiled graciously at RhodoKnightmon. “…Thank you, Rhodo. It means a lot to hear you say that. I always worried that I may have offended you. That my unwillingness to confess was implying that it was somehow wrong or shameful to be gay. I never once thought that. The simple fact is that, after all of those years of hiding it, the pressure continued to mount due to the simple fact that I wasn’t honest to begin with. I worried I would hurt people, and I think I terribly internalized everything.”
RhodoKnightmon nodded. “Well, everything is out in the open now. How do you feel about it now?”
“I am at peace with everything. I feel… free. I am quite comfortable with who I am now,” Alphamon explained, his words soft and unburdened. “And it’s thanks to all of you.”
“You are more responsible than we are,” RhodoKnightmon declared, waggling his index finger.
Alphamon chuckled. “It was a difficult path, but, yes, I suppose I had to grow as a Digimon as well…” he contemplated. He stared at RhodoKnightmon thoughtfully. “Although, I have always wondered… Were you always so at ease with yourself, Rhodo?”
RhodoKnightmon placed his hands on his hips. “Well… I don’t wish to diminish your personal struggle, but… yes. I would say I have.”
Alphamon smiled, not minding his honesty at all. “Really? I’d like to hear more,” he inquired.
RhodoKnightmon nodded confidently. “Well… as you know, my father was the Duke of Summerglade, back before the Kingdom of Arcania was incorporated into the Republic. As such, I lived on an aristocratic estate, with servants and tutors and the lot. My parents always wanted me to be normal… They wanted me to follow after them in court politics. I needed to have a respectable education, good etiquette, desirable skills and what have you,” he explained. “However, I remember overhearing my parents talking once, and they said that I was always a bit different.”
Alphamon nodded quietly and allowed him to continue.
“I suppose that’s true. I always was different,” RhodoKnightmon said matter-of-factly. “At a young age, I was always interested in non-traditional things… I loved cooking, swordplay, and fashion. Not quite the interests of a courtier. I was a bit lackadaisical; I never liked to push myself too hard, except for those fields that I was extremely passionate about.”
RhodoKnightmon smiled and placed his hands on his hips. “I also knew from a young age that I had a keen interest in other men… In fact, my first ever crush was on my swordsmanship tutor,” he recounted fondly. “When I attended a private academy, I was always a bit different there too. I was among other rich students, but I was always more flamboyant, with my clothing, my actions, everything really. I pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable… I had a couple friends there, but a lot of students called me a dandy. A rumour also spread around that I liked men.”
Alphamon frowned at this. “I’m sorry, Rhodo. Was that hard for you?” he asked compassionately.
“Not particularly,” RhodoKnightmon answered with a shrug. “You see, I was actually just confused when I heard it. I had always just assumed that it was natural to like men, and that all the others felt like I did too. I always thought that marriages were simply social and political contracts that were made between important families to shore up power and have children. I suppose it was naïve of me, but I had just assumed that people naturally preferred people of their own gender, and that was why girls mainly had female friends and boys mainly had male friends. It was a surprise when I learned that this wasn’t the case. I suppose it was because I spent my childhood a bit isolated.”
“I see…” Alphamon spoke, mulling over RhodoKnightmon’s words.
“I admit, I was sometimes hurt by their words, but I never felt ashamed of liking men or being who I was,” RhodoKnightmon continued. “I was simply living my life how I wished to. Even when I heard my parents or my teachers or the other students say that I should try to be more normal… I always thought, ‘Why should I be normal? What is ‘normal’? Isn’t ‘normality’ something that a lot of unimaginative people tacitly agree upon because they are afraid of change and things that are different from what they are comfortable with?’”
RhodoKnightmon folded his arms and raised his head proudly. “I challenge the idea of ‘normal’. I just want to stay true to who I am, whatever eccentricities and flaws that I may have. I may be different, but I am who I am. I shouldn’t try to hide that, and I refuse to be ashamed of myself. I would much rather have fun with it and live my life how I want, rather than live it how other people think I should live it. I suppose that is why I like to challenge other Digimon and their boundaries. I want to show them that is it okay to be different. You can be a Royal Knight and still be somebody like me.”
Alphamon smiled warmly. “I think that’s a great message to send, Rhodo… You and I really are different,” he mused. He brought his hand to his own chin and stroked it pensively with his index finger. “I really admire your courage, RhodoKnightmon, and your ability to be comfortable with who you are. It seems to come so naturally to you…”
“Why thank you, Alphamon,” RhodoKnightmon chimed.
The Aloof Hermit smiled a bit guiltily. “Admittedly… I’ve always been a bit jealous of you, Rhodo,” he gently explained. “I envied that about you in the past… Your confidence, I mean. There I was, worrying about how everybody would react to my bisexuality, while you were there, putting yourself out there for all to see…”
“Oh… I’m sorry,” RhodoKnightmon apologised, rubbing his neck.
“No… I’m not blaming you,” Alphamon assured him peacefully. “I just wish that I could have had that courage to be who I was regardless of what others thought.”
RhodoKnightmon smiled and placed a hand on Alphamon’s shoulder. “You did have that courage, ultimately. You confessed to us, after all, and I know what a big deal for you that was. You have nothing to feel guilty of. In fact… I am quite proud to call you our leader. Nobody else could do a better job.”
Alphamon smiled appreciatively. “Thank you, RhodoKnightmon… That means a lot.”
“I am simply being honest,” RhodoKnightmon explained.
Alphamon nodded. “I’m glad that you and I could have this chat…”
“Mhm, so am I. Even if it did start with my good self being told off,” RhodoKnightmon concurred with a wry tilt of the head.
Alphamon chuckled. “Heh… Well, that still stands.”
“Oh, I know… And I will apologise to OuRyuumon properly tomorrow morning,” RhodoKnightmon explained. “I will even cook him his favourite meal.”
“That would definitely smooth the path,” Alphamon agreed with a grin. The dark crusader turned, his disposition relaxed and at ease. “Now, drawing a line under all that… what do you say that we relax?”
“That would be nice. What do you suggest?” RhodoKnightmon wondered.
“Well… There is this recipe that I have been working on… I would love to hear your professional, culinary opinion,” Alphamon suggested. Although his face was innocent, a sudden sense of foreboding swept over the room.
The words send the cold chill of death down RhodoKnightmon’s back and he felt his stomach twist into knots. The words ‘recipe’, ‘opinion’, and ‘working on’ set off immediate alarm bells. He knew there could be only one thing that Alphamon was referring to… Alphamon’s tea and coffee creations, if they could be called that. The vile, unholy brews that went against all of RhodoKnightmon’s culinary sensibilities. He often wondered if there was something wrong with the knight’s taste buds to be able to enjoy those dreadful concoctions of miscellaneous ingredients. Did Alphamon want to punish him after all?
“Err… It is almost midnight, Alphamon…” RhodoKnightmon hesitated. “Isn’t it a bit too late for caffeine?” he desperately appealed in an attempt to save himself.
“Oh, not to worry. I have been working on this coffee for awhile now. I have added ingredients with high amounts of melatonin and tryptophan, such as tart cherries, roasted soybeans, and sesame seeds. This should offset the effects of the caffeine and give you a sound sleep,” Alphamon explained with restrained excitement in his voice. “I also find that the specific taste and texture works magnificently with the natto.”
RhodoKnightmon’s face turned a pale blue. “N-Natto…?” he stammered. “I… I am not sure about this, Alphamon…”
“Come now… You are always getting others to try new things. What did you say about pushing past boundaries, Rhodo?” Alphamon asked him with a sly grin. He gave RhodoKnightmon a knowing wink. “As AncientGreymon would say, ‘Who dares, wins’.”
RhodoKnightmon felt an insurmountable sense of dread as Alphamon boxed him into a logical corner. The conniving villain, he thought. “…W-Well… Perhaps just one sip,” he choked out as the blood drained from his face.
Alphamon smiled enthusiastically, completely oblivious to RhodoKnightmon’s terror. “Wonderful. I’ll get started. I’d like your honest opinion too. I want the flavour to be perfect. I think this could really help to relieve the stress of the other Royal Knights,” he said as he walked to the door of his bedroom, prompting the rose knight to follow.
RhodoKnightmon swallowed as he was led out of the room. He promised Yggdrasil that if he made it through the night, he wouldn’t gossip wantonly again. Things had been going so well, too…
-
On the second floor of the castle, Omegamon stepped out of one of the washrooms. After having finished his nightly routine, he now planned on going to bed. It was getting late and he needed some rest for tomorrow. It was only a matter of time before they had to set out on campaign against the Demon Lords, so they all needed as much rest as they could get.
Carrying his pieces of armour under one arm, Omegamon stepped out into the living quarters’ corridor. He wore a pair of white pyjamas which hung loosely around his slender body. The night-time attire was adorned with a pattern of suns and moons across the soft, white fabric.
Omegamon quietly walked down the corridor. His steps were light and soft. His feet barely touched the floor as he moved, so as to not wake any of the Royal Knights who were already asleep. His room was near the end of the hallway, sitting between Alphamon’s room at the very end, and Dukemon’s room on its left.
The alabaster-hued paladin bridged the length of the hallway and stopped in front of his room. He reached for the door handle. Omegamon paused for a moment when his white hand touched the knob. He turned his helmeted head and cast his cyan eyes towards Alphamon’s door thoughtfully.
The sound of a door opening in the opposite direction caught his attention. Omegamon turned his head around to look up the corridor that he just came from. The nearest door over to his opened and a familiar form appeared.
Dukemon stepped partway out of his room and looked at Omegamon. He was wearing a white, tight-fitting, muscle top with the Zero Unit symbol emblazoned across the chest. He also wore a pair of loose-fitting, crimson shorts, a few shades darker than his actual scale colour. Dukemon smiled upon setting his eyes on Omegamon.
“Hey, Omegamon!” he greeted cheerfully. He grinned playfully and looked Omegamon up and down. “Wearing those pyjamas that Alphamon got you for the Winter Festival? Nice. They’re very cute,” he teased in his usual playful way.
Omegamon blushed and looked away sheepishly. “Dukemon…” he greeted, although not addressing the jocose comment. He wasn’t sure if Dukemon was being innocuous or if he was aiming for that reaction. “You’re up late.”
“Yeah, I was planning on going to bed soon. I’m just waiting for Grani,” Dukemon explained. “What about you?”
“I was about to do the same,” Omegamon responded, looking up at the scarlet dragon man.
“Do you have a few minutes?” Dukemon asked him. “It’d be nice if we could catch up.”
Omegamon quietly thought about for a few moments. He supposed he could spare another ten minutes or so… “Hm… Alright, Dukemon,” he agreed. “Just let me hang my armour up.”
“Sure thing,” Dukemon replied, smiling and walking back inside his room. He left the door open for Omegamon to follow.
Omegamon placed his pieces of armour on the wooden rack in his room, though he left the black body suit on underneath his pyjamas. He walked out of his room and stepped inside Dukemon’s, closing the door behind him. Once inside, he saw Dukemon sitting on the side of his spacious bed.
“Come sit. Take the weight off,” Dukemon suggested, patting the place on the bed next to him.
The white Royal Knight walked over and sat down beside him with some space between them. As he felt himself sink slightly into the soft mattress, he looked at Dukemon inquisitively.
“Was there something particular that you wanted to talk about, Dukemon?” Omegamon questioned.
“Not really. I just wanted to chat,” Dukemon replied. “You’re not usually up this late. Did you have a nightmare or something?”
“No, I was working late,” the fused warrior explained. “And then I got talking…”
“Oh, yeah?” the dragon knight inquired. “With who?”
Omegamon folded his hands on his lap. “Alphamon, actually…” he answered, a touch embarrassed. He tentatively made eye contact with Dukemon. “I… apologised to him.”
Dukemon couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “Oh… What about? Do you mean… the stuff that happened when you were Zwart?” he cautiously ventured.
“No, not that…” He exhaled.
“Oh… Sorry,” Dukemon sheepishly replied, rubbing the back of his neck. “I shouldn’t have brought that up.”
Omegamon shook his head lightly. “It’s fine. While I still hate what I did, talking about it doesn’t cause me the same pain that it used to.” He looked at Dukemon with appreciation in his bright, blue eyes. “That’s thanks to you.”
Dukemon grinned. “Hey, I’m glad to be able to help,” he answered.
“I don’t worry that I’m going to lose myself to the darkness of Zwart anymore. Even if I did, I know that all of you would be there to stop me.”
“Good,” the dragon paladin declared. He smiled optimistically at Omegamon. “Then you’ve already won.” He leaned forwards with his arms on his knees. “So, what did you apologise to Alphamon about? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“Well… It was about how I acted when I first found out that he and OuRyuumon were lovers. I acted selfishly and immaturely, and I wanted to finally apologise to him for that,” Omegamon explained. “I played a big factor in the reason why our friendship became strained.”
Dukemon frowned and thought about it. “Was it when you three went to Auguria to investigate that prophecy?” he questioned. “I thought that you two were acting weird afterwards.”
“Yes… I overheard them, and, well… I was hurt when I really had no right to be,” Omegamon shamefully admitted.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s only natural to instinctively be a bit hurt when your close friend keeps something from you,” Dukemon reasoned. “As long as you don’t end up blaming him and being bitter about it. Alphamon obviously had his reasons for it.”
“I know he did… but, at the time, I could only think about myself. I felt he couldn’t trust me. This was on top of feeling that Imperialdramon had abandoned us…” Omegamon sighed. “It was my own selfishness that led me to becoming Omegamon Zwart. That’s why I wanted to apologise to Alphamon.”
“I see… And how’d he take it?” Dukemon wondered.
Omegamon smiled warmly. “How you would expect. He accepted it immediately, without question. He distributed the blame evenly. He listened, and he was reasonable.”
“So, very Alphamon-y,” Dukemon said with a chuckle. “That’s good, isn’t it?”
Omegamon nodded softly. “Yes… I’m glad that we were finally able to clear the air. Admittedly, things had been a little… awkward since what happened. We haven’t really spoken that much outside of work,” he explained. “I think we really needed to have that conversation. I feel as though a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.”
Dukemon nodded. “I can understand what you mean. It feels good to finally unburden yourself from something you’ve been sitting on for a long time…” he mentioned, looking at Omegamon.
“Yes, it did…” Omegamon smiled slightly. “…I feel as though my and Alphamon’s friendship is starting to go back to how it used to be. I’m really glad that he and I can talk together again…”
The crimson knight stared at Omegamon, his features warm and tender as he wore a knowing smile. “…Hey, Omegamon… Can I ask you something?”
Omegamon turned his head and observed Dukemon curiously. “Of course, Dukemon. Anything.”
“Do you have feelings for Alphamon?”
Omegamon nearly choked. Within seconds, blood coursed into his face flooded his cheeks with tingling warmth. His cyan eyes widened momentarily and he could only look away from Dukemon to hide his embarrassment.
“I-I don’t see how that’s any of your business, Dukemon,” he defensively replied.
Dukemon scratched his cheek with his index finger. He had a feeling he may have pressed a bit too far. “Sorry. You don’t have to answer. I’ve just always wondered…” he said, backing off just slightly. “We’re friends though. I won’t judge you or tell anybody. But if you say that you don’t, I’ll believe you.”
Omegamon grimaced, starting to think past the burning in his cheeks and the nervous churning in his stomach. He felt a bit guilty about putting Dukemon off. He supposed it wouldn’t be so bad if he explained it to make him understand…
“I…” Omegamon stammered, pausing as he tried to think of the right words to use for this delicate situation. “It’s… complicated, Dukemon…”
Dukemon shot Omegamon a warm and reassuring smile. “It’s fine. You’re right. It’s none of my business if you have feelings for Alphamon or not,” he promised him. “Forget I asked.”
A soft wince graced Omegamon’s eyes. He was having trouble finding the right words. “I… Alphamon and I are very close friends…” he responded.
Dukemon smiled and nodded. “Okay, then,” he replied, making it clear that he believed Omegamon and would leave it at that.
Omegamon hesitated. He could just leave the conversation there. Dukemon was giving him the chance to end it. However… he didn’t feel right about doing so. He drew a centering breath.
“…I don’t believe that the bond between lovers automatically supersedes the bond between friends,” Omegamon stated.
“Huh? What do you mean?” Dukemon asked.
“There is a perception among some people that it isn’t enough to simply be friends with somebody,” Omegamon explained, although his face was still warm and tingling as he spoke. “That, for the relationship to be meaningful or important, the logical progression is to go from friends to being lovers. Romance is treated as a step higher than friendship, which is seen merely as a stepping stone in two peoples’ relationship. I don’t view it that way.”
“Oh…” Dukemon replied, thinking about Omegamon’s words. “I see what you mean. I think.”
Omegamon looked at Dukemon with a bit of shyness. “My lower forms – WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon… They had a deep love for each other, but they were the best of friends. They weren’t romantic in the sense that you might think of, but they did love each other. They were comfortable in one another’s company. They were able pour their souls to each other and keep one another warm at night without feeling uncomfortable. If they didn’t have that love and friendship, I wouldn’t exist right now,” Omegamon explained. “To me, love is something that you feel, not necessarily something that you do…”
“Okay… I understand what you’re getting at,” Dukemon considered as he thought about it. “I do think there can be a difference, though… With somebody you’re romantic with, you can kiss them and have a physical relationship. You might not necessarily want to cross that boundary with somebody that you consider a friend, because your dynamic with them is different.”
“I suppose so… but that is a matter of the body, not a matter of the heart. I could still have feelings towards somebody without that,” Omegamon answered, his voice a bit reticent and his face still rather red. “At least, for me…”
Dukemon chuckled and nodded. “Okay. I see what you mean…” he responded.
Omegamon took a deep breath, summoning the courage that he embodied. He did what needed to be done despite his fear. He looked Dukemon in the eyes. “…I do have intense feelings for Alphamon.”
A knowing smile formed on Dukemon’s lips. “I always had a feeling…”
“I feel that we have an unshakeable bond between us… or, at least, we did,” Omegamon explained. “I care about him deeply… That’s why it was so hard when things became strained between us.”
“Still, you said you had a good conversation with him tonight, right? You said that things are good between you again,” Dukemon pointed out.
“I suppose…”
Dukemon gazed at Omegamon. “…I think you should tell Alphamon how you feel…”
Omegamon’s brows furrowed behind his helmet uncertainly. “…To what end? So that he and I can form a romantic relationship?” he questioned.
“Well, yeah,” Dukemon answered bluntly. “Wouldn’t you like that?”
“…I don’t know…” Omegamon guardedly deliberated. “It isn’t that simple, Dukemon…” The white knight sighed. “I don’t want to hurt OuRyuumon. I’m sure that he still loves Alphamon.”
“Sure… and I feel bad for OuRyuumon, but things like this happen,” Dukemon suggested. “It’s also about what you want, Omega. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t consider his feelings, but you shouldn’t ignore your own either.”
“It isn’t just that,” Omegamon insisted. “I… I don’t want to put Alphamon in an awkward position. If I forced the issue, it could cause him a lot of problems. Perhaps he doesn’t feel the same way that I do. He might struggle to know how to respond to such a suggestion from one of his closest friends…” Omegamon looked down. “…We just got our relationship back on track… I don’t want to jeopardize that and risk losing Alphamon’s friendship due to my own greed and selfishness.”
“It isn’t like that, Omegamon. It’s not greedy to have feelings for somebody,” Dukemon assured him. He stared at him directly, clearly transmitting his strong feelings. “You shouldn’t punish yourself for what happened.”
Omegamon softly shook his head. “Alphamon likely isn’t interested, regardless. He has had OuRyuumon for all this time. No matter what happened between them, that is likely where Alphamon’s heart still resides,” he said with peaceful resignation.
“You keep saying ‘likely’. You’re just making assumptions without actually knowing,” Dukemon explained critically. “Why don’t you ask him?”
“Because I don’t want to watch him stumble over himself as he tries to salvage our relationship while letting me down gently,” Omegamon bluntly countered.
Dukemon frowned. “…You know… I spoke to Alphamon after his argument with OuRyuumon. He told me what happened between you three after your encounter with DarkKnightmon. He tried to kiss you…”
Omegamon grimaced and turned his gaze away from the dragon knight. “He did. But he didn’t mean it… I knew he didn’t. That’s why it hurt…”
Dukemon continued staring at the white paladin. “Rebound kiss or not, he tried to kiss you. He wouldn’t have tried to kiss you for no reason. I’m sure he wouldn’t have done that with any of the other Royal Knights. He must have some feelings for you in order to do that…”
Omegamon smiled a little, with a fragment of pain in his eyes. “It’s fine, Dukemon. I’m more than happy to keep my and Alphamon’s relationship like it has always been. If we can be friends like we used to be, that is all that I need. I cherish Alphamon as a friend too much to risk putting that in jeopardy…”
Dukemon’s golden-yellow eyes softened. “Omegamon… You’re the least selfish person that I know, but a lot of the time, it’s at the detriment of your own happiness.
Omegamon turned his smile, wistful but honest, towards Dukemon. “I am happy now… Although it hurt sometimes, Alphamon’s friendship is more than enough for me. Now that I know what it’s like to be without it, to spend time together like we did tonight, just the two of us, is more than I could ever ask for.” Omegamon looked up and closed his eyes, releasing a satisfied breath. “…I am content with the way things are.” He opened his light blue eyes and smiled sincerely at Dukemon.
The crimson Royal Knight stared into Omegamon’s eyes. He seemed to be telling the truth… “…Okay, then,” Dukemon said with a grin. “If you’re happy, then so am I.”
Omegamon turned and looked at Dukemon. “…Thank you, Dukemon. For listening… and caring,” he told him.
“It’s no big deal. You would do the same,” Dukemon dismissed as he flashed him his usual smirk.
“…Spending time with you is just as important to me, Dukemon,” Omegamon felt compelled to add. “Your constant support, the ease with which we can speak… You have always been there, by my side, from the very beginning. You have always been there to listen to all of us and give advice. Your friendship and generosity is more than I could ever hope for.”
Dukemon sheepishly scratched his cheek with his finger. “Hey, I’m glad to help…” he responded with embarrassment. His voice became less playful and more sincere and heartfelt. “…You’re important to me too, Omegamon.”
Omegamon’s eyes locked with Dukemon’s. “I really do cherish you…”
Dukemon gazed back at him, his soft golds becoming lost in Omegamon’s warm, cyan stare.
Their gazes held, and they shared a breathless moment. Dukemon found that his hand had drifted on top of Omegamon’s knee. Dukemon’s stare pierced into Omegamon’s eyes, his own never straying.
Omegamon felt his heart skip as Dukemon inched near. He drew a sharp breath.
The metallic sound of a latch opening pierced the tense air. The bedroom door clicked and began to open, followed by a familiar voice.
“Dukemon?” Grani asked, peering inside from the widening gap between the door and frame.
Without missing a beat, Dukemon smoothly swerved his head and stood to his feet. He turned away from Omegamon and faced the door. “Hey, Grani. What’s up?” Dukemon casually asked with such ease that Omegamon questioned his own interpretation of what was happening.
Omegamon stood to his feet as well. Was Dukemon about to do what he thought he was about to do or…? Omegamon shook his head and composed himself as he would in battle. He tugged at the collar of his shirt and frowned as he thought about it.
Surely it wasn’t what he thought it was. Omegamon inwardly shook his head and dismissed the absurd notion. Dukemon was always the touchy feely kind of Digimon and he wasn’t afraid of invading another Digimon’s personal space. Despite the brief, intimate silence, there was nothing to suggest that Dukemon was being anything other than his usual self. Omegamon had been feeling emotional after talking to Dukemon about him and Alphamon, so he must have been reading things the wrong way. He thought better of it and decided the matter wasn’t worth pressing.
Grani drifted into the doorway. “I just returned from patrol and saw that you were still up. Shouldn’t you—“ Grani blinked and noticed Omegamon beside him. “Omegamon? Hello.”
“Hello, Grani,” Omegamon calmly greeted. He smiled amiably at Dukemon and began to walk towards the door. “I should actually be getting to bed. Goodnight, Dukemon. I appreciate our chat.”
Dukemon rubbed the back of his neck and watched as Omegamon began to take his leave. “Okay. Goodnight, Omegamon. See you tomorrow.”
Omegamon nodded and walked through the doorway as Grani moved into the room and out of the way. “Goodnight, Grani. Make sure he doesn’t find another excuse not to go to bed. We have a busy day tomorrow.”
“Very well, Omegamon. Have a good rest,” Grani responded. He watched as Omegamon closed the door and walked down the corridor to his bedroom. Alone with Dukemon, the Zero ARMS turned and stared at him a scrutinizing leer. “…Did I interrupt something?”
“Not really,” Dukemon said with a tiny smile.
Grani continued staring at him. “Dukemon?”
Dukemon grinned at him and walked back to his bed. “I just had a good chat with a friend. Nothing more,” he insisted nonchalantly. He swept open the sheets of his bed and sat on top of it. “Are you going to bed?”
“Yes, I am entering rest mode shortly,” Grani responded, floating over to the base of the giant bed.
“Goodnight, Grani,” Dukemon said, lying down and pulling the covers up to his shoulders.
“Goodnight, Dukemon…”
Dukemon closed his eyes and exhaled. It was better this way… He knew his friend still had feelings for Alphamon, despite his words. There was still a chance for his two friends…
-
Alphamon walked down the second floor corridor in silence. There was a silent intensity in his gait.
RhodoKnightmon quietly walked behind the foremost Royal Knight. His stare was fixed onto Alphamon’s caped back.
To his surprise, Alphamon passed by the staircase at the corner of the corridors. RhodoKnightmon expected Alphamon to bring him up to his office. However, Alphamon turned the corner and began heading down the wing with the Royal Knights’ living quarters.
The pink armoured knight tentatively followed Alphamon down the length of the long hallway. They passed by RhodoKnightmon’s bedroom without instance. They travelled to the very end of the hallway before Alphamon stopped in front of his own room. The Knight of the Empty Seat opened the door to his bedroom.
“Come in,” Alphamon told him, gesturing to his large room with a four-post bed inside.
In other circumstances, RhodoKnightmon may have made a suggestive quip, but he was smart enough to know not to with the seriousness of the situation. The thought didn’t even cross his mind this time. “Very well,” RhodoKnightmon agreed, walking inside Alphamon’s bedroom.
On the left side of the room was a balcony that was attached to the exterior wall. Nearby was a desk full of messy papers and an open journal. The black, gold-lined blanket that was draped over the king-sized bed was cleanly made, although with creases. The room smelled of a faint hint of coffee. RhodoKnightmon briefly wondered if Alphamon would subject him to his coffee as a punishment.
Alphamon stopped in the middle of the room and turned around. RhodoKnightmon closed the door behind them with a push of his ribbon. The rose knight stood a few meters away from Alphamon, staring at him cagily.
“We are not doing this in your office?” RhodoKnightmon questioned as he placed a hand on his slender hip. “I suppose I must really be in for it, mustn’t, I?”
The dark paladin leered at him with stolid eyes. “This is not any sort of formal proceeding or castigation, Rhodo. This is simply a chat between friends…”
RhodoKnightmon frowned and raised his other hand to trace his finger along one of the ribbons leading from his breastplate. “Yes, alright…” he murmured. He glanced up at Alphamon. “…I am sorry about all of that… I truly didn’t mean for you and OuRyuumon to hear that…”
“So, it would have been okay if we hadn’t heard it?” Alphamon methodically countered. “Talking behind others’ backs is rather juvenile and cowardly. The problem isn’t that we overheard it; it is that it was being said at all…”
RhodoKnightmon rubbed his neck sheepishly and looked away. “Yes, I suppose so… However, it wasn’t done maliciously.”
Alphamon sighed. “I know that…” he conceded. “All the same, I can’t say I’m happy about it. OuRyuumon is very sensitive. My relationship with him or Omegamon is really nobody’s business but our own. The issues are ours to sort out, without any outside pressure. I ask that you would keep it that way in the future, RhodoKnightmon.”
“Very well… My apologies, Alphamon…” RhodoKnightmon calmly responded.
Alphamon could very well have left it there. However… He refused to be soft when he felt that there was more that he needed to say. He stalled for a moment before speaking up again.
“…I just wish that you wouldn’t do that so much, Rhodo,” he said, although his words were cautious, as if he wasn’t sure if he wanted to continue.
“Do what?” RhodoKnightmon wondered, cocking his head to the side.
“…The things that you do, Rhodo,” Alphamon quietly explained, although he didn’t shy away from staring into RhodoKnightmon’s eyes. “I wish you wouldn’t flirt with the other Royal Knights and make advances on them. And I wish you wouldn’t vocalize your desire for relationships between the Royal Knights or whoever else you think would make a cute couple. It makes some of them uncomfortable...”
RhodoKnightmon was quiet. Although his exterior was composed and somewhat rigid, he couldn’t help but feel inwardly offended. “…Oh, I see,” RhodoKnightmon calmly spoke, with a faintly sarcastic edge to his voice. “Uncomfortable because I am homosexual, you mean. Is that it, Alphamon?”
Alphamon’s golden eyes hardened somewhat, covering the guilty wince that lay behind his features. He felt a faint stab at the underlying meaning of RhodoKnightmon’s own words. “…No, that isn’t what I meant, RhodoKnightmon,” he insisted. “For Digimon like Duftmon or Omegamon, the gender is irrelevant. They are shy Digimon, and they feel uncomfortable when you make suggestive comments at them. It isn’t only them… I don’t think anybody enjoys feeling uncomfortable in their own home.”
RhodoKnightmon folded his arms. “I have been this way since I joined the Order. Has somebody complained or something?”
“No, but they shouldn’t have to. They put up with it because you are our friend and comrade,” Alphamon explained.
“’Put up with it’…” RhodoKnightmon looked down and frowned thoughtfully. “…I don’t mean any harm by it, Alphamon. When I make those jokes, it is not as though I am trying to force my desires onto them or anything malicious like that. It is simply my sense of humour… Comedy sometimes involves pushing past peoples’ comfort zones and watching them squirm a little bit.”
Alphamon gently folded his arms as well. “Perhaps, Rhodo... However, sometimes you take it too far, both with the flirting and the pairing off. I know you aren’t deliberately trying to hurt anybody, but you need to try to take other peoples’ boundaries into consideration. Some people don’t know how to react to your sense of humour, and sometimes your desired pairings run contrary to what is reality,” he explained.
“I do understand that, Alphamon. However, we are all adults here, and we face actual trauma and danger on a daily basis. I have always assumed that the Royal Knights knew me well enough and were mature enough to take it. If somebody is offended by something I say or do, I generally expect them to tell me and I will gladly respect their wishes.”
“Yes, but it isn’t always easy…” Alphamon stated with a soft frown. “There are sometimes circumstances that keep somebody from speaking up and telling you so. For example, whenever you would jokingly say that you thought that Omegamon and I would make a cute couple, OuRyuumon and I were unable to say that we were already together because I hadn’t confessed to anybody my sexuality. It made things quite uncomfortable. And I can only imagine how Omegamon must have felt… We both know that he tends to keep his true feelings to himself in order to please others. Or, perhaps, others feel that too vehement of a denial would only reinforce the truth in the joke that you are making.”
At this, RhodoKnightmon looked down, unable to help but feel guilty as he mulled over Alphamon’s explanation. “…I suppose I haven’t thought about it like that,” he admitted, twisting the flat ends of his semi-metal sash between his fingertips. He looked back up at Alphamon. “…I’m sorry, Alphamon. You’re right. I will be more mindful of others in the future.”
Alphamon scratched his cheek sheepishly. “…I’m not trying to police you, Rhodo. And I’m not trying to suggest that all of the Royal Knights and our subordinates have porcelain skin and don’t know how to take a joke. However, I hope you can see that there are situations where your sense of humour can be damaging, even if it is all in good fun,” he explained. “It isn’t just because I heard you speak about me and Omegamon. As the head of the Order, it is down to me to ensure that team morale and trust is as high as it can be. It’s especially important in times of crisis such as now… We both know how important team morale can be. And small fissures have a habit of turning into massive chasms when the right amount of pressure is applied. It is because of misunderstandings and bad feelings between friends that we nearly lost everything to DarkKnightmon.”
“Yes, I suppose I can see where you are coming from, Alphamon… However, I want you to see where I am coming from as well.” He looked at him directly. “I know that I make Digimon uncomfortable sometimes… I know that I am very different from the masculine hero that one might expect from a Royal Knight. I can see the subtle signs of discomfort that some Digimon have around me. So, sometimes, I make other people uncomfortable on purpose, simply to get a reaction out of them. Other times, it is just because of who I am. It is my natural state of being, I suppose. I have always been ‘different’. As such, I enjoy trying to make other Digimon embrace things that go against their conservative sensibilities and their kneejerk state of comfort.”
Alphamon couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, that’s true… The very first time that we met, you insisted on making me eat a strange dish that I have never heard of, from far reaches of Colossus. It turned out to be quite delicious… Ever since then, you have always been a Digimon who has opened up the horizons of others. Whether it is simple culinary treats, or something as grand as a whole new way of thinking… It’s thanks to you that we founding Royal Knights were able to move on from the tragedy that was DarkKnightmon’s first rebellion. It wasn’t a comfortable transition either. You forced us to confront the dark shadow that hung over us with your humour and your shameless prodding. It wasn’t easy, and, sometimes, it wasn’t pleasant, but we really did need that.”
The rose knight smiled slightly behind his pink mask. “Thank you. I appreciate that, Alphamon…” His stance relaxed and he allowed his hands to rest casually against his hips. “…I promise that I will do my best to respect other Digimons’ boundaries and privacy in the future, and I will try not to put them in uncomfortable positions. …However, what I will not do is change who I am in order to suit other people.”
Alphamon smiled wider. “I would never ask you to, RhodoKnightmon.”
“Why, I am quite glad to hear that,” RhodoKnightmon responded, his usual sprightly intonation and debonair demeanour returning.
However, as RhodoKnightmon’s mirth returned, Alphamon’s hidden smile faded. Guiltily, he glanced down, pausing as he mulled over his impending words.
“…You must think very lowly of me,” he spoke, looking at RhodoKnightmon with soft eyes. His words weren’t accusatory, but tinged with shame.
RhodoKnightmon was surprised by this. He stared at Alphamon curiously, tilting his head. “Pardon? What do you mean, Alphamon?”
Alphamon sighed but managed a wistful smile at the slender, pink knight. “You and I are very different Digimon, aren’t we?”
“Why, yes, I suppose we are, Alphamon. However, I am at a bit of a loss as to what you mean…”
“You may have noticed this, but… I care what Digimon think about me,” Alphamon explained, staring at the pink knight. “I always have. As the leader of the Order, it is my job to think about how the Royal Knights act and how we appear to others.”
“That is true. You have always had a good head for public relations…” RhodoKnightmon supposed.
Alphamon nodded. “Yes… However, I have always cared about my image on a personal level too. I wouldn’t say that I’m vain, but I have always been concerned about what others thought of me. As Alphamon… I am an exception. A one-of-a-kind Digimon. People have always had opinions about me, especially after… certain events,” he explained sparsely. “It shaped how I act. It made it hard for me to be open about my bisexuality…”
RhodoKnightmon nodded, now realising what Alphamon meant. “Oh, I see…”
Alphamon smiled at him a little. “You have always seemed so comfortable with yourself. As for me…” He closed his eyes meditatively. “Ever since I was a teenager, I always knew I was interested in female Digimon. I have had youthful crushes here and there… However, I also found myself having those same sorts of feelings towards male Digimon. I remember feeling attraction, both physically and emotionally, towards my own gender as well as the opposite one… I was confused at first. I wondered if there was something wrong with me.”
“Oh?” RhodoKnightmon wondered. “I thought that New Terminal was quite cosmopolitan and permissive when it came to that sort of thing. Is that a mistaken perception on my part?”
“Well, no… I remember having seen a number of same-gender partners around the Republic of Node, and especially in New Terminal,” Alphamon explained. “However, I also knew that most formal unions were between Digimon of the opposite gender, for the purposes of reproduction - continuing the family line and inheritance. I knew that same-gender couples, while permitted, were generally the exception rather than the rule. I travelled a lot in my teenage years. I learned that, depending on where I was in the world, those sorts of relationships could be looked down upon or even maltreated. I had heard the slander and the jokes in taverns. I learned what some people thought of people like me. Not everywhere was as accepting as New Terminal was…”
“Yes, it is a pity that there are still close-minded Digimon, isn’t it?” RhodoKnightmon calmly agreed, although he didn’t seem all that bothered.
Alphamon frowned gently. “Indeed… I suppose I was a bit of a coward. Despite the feelings that I had towards men, I think I subconsciously tried to ignore those feelings and just focus on what was most universally socially acceptable. I, by no means, had an active romantic life, but I chose to focus my attention solely on female Digimon. I opted to go with the most comfortable route… Of course I have had feelings for men since then, but it wasn’t until OuRyuumon confessed his feelings to me that I felt strongly enough to pursue a relationship. And, even then, I was cautious about it. I didn’t feel that I could tell my closest friends, and I was worried that we would be found out.”
A gentle sigh escaped Alphamon’s lips. “Looking back, I’m ashamed of how I acted. I put enormous pressures on not just myself, but also OuRyuumon, and I didn’t trust my closest friends because I thought that they would hate me. I was insecure, and I didn’t have faith in all of you. It wasn’t the truth that drove wedges between us, but concealing the truth. When I look at you, who has been completely honest with your sexuality from the start and your clear comfort with yourself, I can only imagine what you must think of me.”
RhodoKnightmon smiled sweetly and walked up to Alphamon. He placed a hand on Alphamon’s cheek for a moment, gazing into his eyes. “My dear Alphamon…” he kindly spoke, sliding his hand from the black, metal surface. “Our experiences are very different. I would never judge you for being hesitant about coming out… It may have been easy for me, but I am not so self-righteous to assume that it isn’t difficult for other people. It is a massive moment. You had your reasons for being cautious, and they were very understandable ones. You mustn’t be hard on yourself. It is just who you are, and that is not necessarily a bad thing.”
Alphamon smiled graciously at RhodoKnightmon. “…Thank you, Rhodo. It means a lot to hear you say that. I always worried that I may have offended you. That my unwillingness to confess was implying that it was somehow wrong or shameful to be gay. I never once thought that. The simple fact is that, after all of those years of hiding it, the pressure continued to mount due to the simple fact that I wasn’t honest to begin with. I worried I would hurt people, and I think I terribly internalized everything.”
RhodoKnightmon nodded. “Well, everything is out in the open now. How do you feel about it now?”
“I am at peace with everything. I feel… free. I am quite comfortable with who I am now,” Alphamon explained, his words soft and unburdened. “And it’s thanks to all of you.”
“You are more responsible than we are,” RhodoKnightmon declared, waggling his index finger.
Alphamon chuckled. “It was a difficult path, but, yes, I suppose I had to grow as a Digimon as well…” he contemplated. He stared at RhodoKnightmon thoughtfully. “Although, I have always wondered… Were you always so at ease with yourself, Rhodo?”
RhodoKnightmon placed his hands on his hips. “Well… I don’t wish to diminish your personal struggle, but… yes. I would say I have.”
Alphamon smiled, not minding his honesty at all. “Really? I’d like to hear more,” he inquired.
RhodoKnightmon nodded confidently. “Well… as you know, my father was the Duke of Summerglade, back before the Kingdom of Arcania was incorporated into the Republic. As such, I lived on an aristocratic estate, with servants and tutors and the lot. My parents always wanted me to be normal… They wanted me to follow after them in court politics. I needed to have a respectable education, good etiquette, desirable skills and what have you,” he explained. “However, I remember overhearing my parents talking once, and they said that I was always a bit different.”
Alphamon nodded quietly and allowed him to continue.
“I suppose that’s true. I always was different,” RhodoKnightmon said matter-of-factly. “At a young age, I was always interested in non-traditional things… I loved cooking, swordplay, and fashion. Not quite the interests of a courtier. I was a bit lackadaisical; I never liked to push myself too hard, except for those fields that I was extremely passionate about.”
RhodoKnightmon smiled and placed his hands on his hips. “I also knew from a young age that I had a keen interest in other men… In fact, my first ever crush was on my swordsmanship tutor,” he recounted fondly. “When I attended a private academy, I was always a bit different there too. I was among other rich students, but I was always more flamboyant, with my clothing, my actions, everything really. I pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable… I had a couple friends there, but a lot of students called me a dandy. A rumour also spread around that I liked men.”
Alphamon frowned at this. “I’m sorry, Rhodo. Was that hard for you?” he asked compassionately.
“Not particularly,” RhodoKnightmon answered with a shrug. “You see, I was actually just confused when I heard it. I had always just assumed that it was natural to like men, and that all the others felt like I did too. I always thought that marriages were simply social and political contracts that were made between important families to shore up power and have children. I suppose it was naïve of me, but I had just assumed that people naturally preferred people of their own gender, and that was why girls mainly had female friends and boys mainly had male friends. It was a surprise when I learned that this wasn’t the case. I suppose it was because I spent my childhood a bit isolated.”
“I see…” Alphamon spoke, mulling over RhodoKnightmon’s words.
“I admit, I was sometimes hurt by their words, but I never felt ashamed of liking men or being who I was,” RhodoKnightmon continued. “I was simply living my life how I wished to. Even when I heard my parents or my teachers or the other students say that I should try to be more normal… I always thought, ‘Why should I be normal? What is ‘normal’? Isn’t ‘normality’ something that a lot of unimaginative people tacitly agree upon because they are afraid of change and things that are different from what they are comfortable with?’”
RhodoKnightmon folded his arms and raised his head proudly. “I challenge the idea of ‘normal’. I just want to stay true to who I am, whatever eccentricities and flaws that I may have. I may be different, but I am who I am. I shouldn’t try to hide that, and I refuse to be ashamed of myself. I would much rather have fun with it and live my life how I want, rather than live it how other people think I should live it. I suppose that is why I like to challenge other Digimon and their boundaries. I want to show them that is it okay to be different. You can be a Royal Knight and still be somebody like me.”
Alphamon smiled warmly. “I think that’s a great message to send, Rhodo… You and I really are different,” he mused. He brought his hand to his own chin and stroked it pensively with his index finger. “I really admire your courage, RhodoKnightmon, and your ability to be comfortable with who you are. It seems to come so naturally to you…”
“Why thank you, Alphamon,” RhodoKnightmon chimed.
The Aloof Hermit smiled a bit guiltily. “Admittedly… I’ve always been a bit jealous of you, Rhodo,” he gently explained. “I envied that about you in the past… Your confidence, I mean. There I was, worrying about how everybody would react to my bisexuality, while you were there, putting yourself out there for all to see…”
“Oh… I’m sorry,” RhodoKnightmon apologised, rubbing his neck.
“No… I’m not blaming you,” Alphamon assured him peacefully. “I just wish that I could have had that courage to be who I was regardless of what others thought.”
RhodoKnightmon smiled and placed a hand on Alphamon’s shoulder. “You did have that courage, ultimately. You confessed to us, after all, and I know what a big deal for you that was. You have nothing to feel guilty of. In fact… I am quite proud to call you our leader. Nobody else could do a better job.”
Alphamon smiled appreciatively. “Thank you, RhodoKnightmon… That means a lot.”
“I am simply being honest,” RhodoKnightmon explained.
Alphamon nodded. “I’m glad that you and I could have this chat…”
“Mhm, so am I. Even if it did start with my good self being told off,” RhodoKnightmon concurred with a wry tilt of the head.
Alphamon chuckled. “Heh… Well, that still stands.”
“Oh, I know… And I will apologise to OuRyuumon properly tomorrow morning,” RhodoKnightmon explained. “I will even cook him his favourite meal.”
“That would definitely smooth the path,” Alphamon agreed with a grin. The dark crusader turned, his disposition relaxed and at ease. “Now, drawing a line under all that… what do you say that we relax?”
“That would be nice. What do you suggest?” RhodoKnightmon wondered.
“Well… There is this recipe that I have been working on… I would love to hear your professional, culinary opinion,” Alphamon suggested. Although his face was innocent, a sudden sense of foreboding swept over the room.
The words send the cold chill of death down RhodoKnightmon’s back and he felt his stomach twist into knots. The words ‘recipe’, ‘opinion’, and ‘working on’ set off immediate alarm bells. He knew there could be only one thing that Alphamon was referring to… Alphamon’s tea and coffee creations, if they could be called that. The vile, unholy brews that went against all of RhodoKnightmon’s culinary sensibilities. He often wondered if there was something wrong with the knight’s taste buds to be able to enjoy those dreadful concoctions of miscellaneous ingredients. Did Alphamon want to punish him after all?
“Err… It is almost midnight, Alphamon…” RhodoKnightmon hesitated. “Isn’t it a bit too late for caffeine?” he desperately appealed in an attempt to save himself.
“Oh, not to worry. I have been working on this coffee for awhile now. I have added ingredients with high amounts of melatonin and tryptophan, such as tart cherries, roasted soybeans, and sesame seeds. This should offset the effects of the caffeine and give you a sound sleep,” Alphamon explained with restrained excitement in his voice. “I also find that the specific taste and texture works magnificently with the natto.”
RhodoKnightmon’s face turned a pale blue. “N-Natto…?” he stammered. “I… I am not sure about this, Alphamon…”
“Come now… You are always getting others to try new things. What did you say about pushing past boundaries, Rhodo?” Alphamon asked him with a sly grin. He gave RhodoKnightmon a knowing wink. “As AncientGreymon would say, ‘Who dares, wins’.”
RhodoKnightmon felt an insurmountable sense of dread as Alphamon boxed him into a logical corner. The conniving villain, he thought. “…W-Well… Perhaps just one sip,” he choked out as the blood drained from his face.
Alphamon smiled enthusiastically, completely oblivious to RhodoKnightmon’s terror. “Wonderful. I’ll get started. I’d like your honest opinion too. I want the flavour to be perfect. I think this could really help to relieve the stress of the other Royal Knights,” he said as he walked to the door of his bedroom, prompting the rose knight to follow.
RhodoKnightmon swallowed as he was led out of the room. He promised Yggdrasil that if he made it through the night, he wouldn’t gossip wantonly again. Things had been going so well, too…
-
On the second floor of the castle, Omegamon stepped out of one of the washrooms. After having finished his nightly routine, he now planned on going to bed. It was getting late and he needed some rest for tomorrow. It was only a matter of time before they had to set out on campaign against the Demon Lords, so they all needed as much rest as they could get.
Carrying his pieces of armour under one arm, Omegamon stepped out into the living quarters’ corridor. He wore a pair of white pyjamas which hung loosely around his slender body. The night-time attire was adorned with a pattern of suns and moons across the soft, white fabric.
Omegamon quietly walked down the corridor. His steps were light and soft. His feet barely touched the floor as he moved, so as to not wake any of the Royal Knights who were already asleep. His room was near the end of the hallway, sitting between Alphamon’s room at the very end, and Dukemon’s room on its left.
The alabaster-hued paladin bridged the length of the hallway and stopped in front of his room. He reached for the door handle. Omegamon paused for a moment when his white hand touched the knob. He turned his helmeted head and cast his cyan eyes towards Alphamon’s door thoughtfully.
The sound of a door opening in the opposite direction caught his attention. Omegamon turned his head around to look up the corridor that he just came from. The nearest door over to his opened and a familiar form appeared.
Dukemon stepped partway out of his room and looked at Omegamon. He was wearing a white, tight-fitting, muscle top with the Zero Unit symbol emblazoned across the chest. He also wore a pair of loose-fitting, crimson shorts, a few shades darker than his actual scale colour. Dukemon smiled upon setting his eyes on Omegamon.
“Hey, Omegamon!” he greeted cheerfully. He grinned playfully and looked Omegamon up and down. “Wearing those pyjamas that Alphamon got you for the Winter Festival? Nice. They’re very cute,” he teased in his usual playful way.
Omegamon blushed and looked away sheepishly. “Dukemon…” he greeted, although not addressing the jocose comment. He wasn’t sure if Dukemon was being innocuous or if he was aiming for that reaction. “You’re up late.”
“Yeah, I was planning on going to bed soon. I’m just waiting for Grani,” Dukemon explained. “What about you?”
“I was about to do the same,” Omegamon responded, looking up at the scarlet dragon man.
“Do you have a few minutes?” Dukemon asked him. “It’d be nice if we could catch up.”
Omegamon quietly thought about for a few moments. He supposed he could spare another ten minutes or so… “Hm… Alright, Dukemon,” he agreed. “Just let me hang my armour up.”
“Sure thing,” Dukemon replied, smiling and walking back inside his room. He left the door open for Omegamon to follow.
Omegamon placed his pieces of armour on the wooden rack in his room, though he left the black body suit on underneath his pyjamas. He walked out of his room and stepped inside Dukemon’s, closing the door behind him. Once inside, he saw Dukemon sitting on the side of his spacious bed.
“Come sit. Take the weight off,” Dukemon suggested, patting the place on the bed next to him.
The white Royal Knight walked over and sat down beside him with some space between them. As he felt himself sink slightly into the soft mattress, he looked at Dukemon inquisitively.
“Was there something particular that you wanted to talk about, Dukemon?” Omegamon questioned.
“Not really. I just wanted to chat,” Dukemon replied. “You’re not usually up this late. Did you have a nightmare or something?”
“No, I was working late,” the fused warrior explained. “And then I got talking…”
“Oh, yeah?” the dragon knight inquired. “With who?”
Omegamon folded his hands on his lap. “Alphamon, actually…” he answered, a touch embarrassed. He tentatively made eye contact with Dukemon. “I… apologised to him.”
Dukemon couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “Oh… What about? Do you mean… the stuff that happened when you were Zwart?” he cautiously ventured.
“No, not that…” He exhaled.
“Oh… Sorry,” Dukemon sheepishly replied, rubbing the back of his neck. “I shouldn’t have brought that up.”
Omegamon shook his head lightly. “It’s fine. While I still hate what I did, talking about it doesn’t cause me the same pain that it used to.” He looked at Dukemon with appreciation in his bright, blue eyes. “That’s thanks to you.”
Dukemon grinned. “Hey, I’m glad to be able to help,” he answered.
“I don’t worry that I’m going to lose myself to the darkness of Zwart anymore. Even if I did, I know that all of you would be there to stop me.”
“Good,” the dragon paladin declared. He smiled optimistically at Omegamon. “Then you’ve already won.” He leaned forwards with his arms on his knees. “So, what did you apologise to Alphamon about? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“Well… It was about how I acted when I first found out that he and OuRyuumon were lovers. I acted selfishly and immaturely, and I wanted to finally apologise to him for that,” Omegamon explained. “I played a big factor in the reason why our friendship became strained.”
Dukemon frowned and thought about it. “Was it when you three went to Auguria to investigate that prophecy?” he questioned. “I thought that you two were acting weird afterwards.”
“Yes… I overheard them, and, well… I was hurt when I really had no right to be,” Omegamon shamefully admitted.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s only natural to instinctively be a bit hurt when your close friend keeps something from you,” Dukemon reasoned. “As long as you don’t end up blaming him and being bitter about it. Alphamon obviously had his reasons for it.”
“I know he did… but, at the time, I could only think about myself. I felt he couldn’t trust me. This was on top of feeling that Imperialdramon had abandoned us…” Omegamon sighed. “It was my own selfishness that led me to becoming Omegamon Zwart. That’s why I wanted to apologise to Alphamon.”
“I see… And how’d he take it?” Dukemon wondered.
Omegamon smiled warmly. “How you would expect. He accepted it immediately, without question. He distributed the blame evenly. He listened, and he was reasonable.”
“So, very Alphamon-y,” Dukemon said with a chuckle. “That’s good, isn’t it?”
Omegamon nodded softly. “Yes… I’m glad that we were finally able to clear the air. Admittedly, things had been a little… awkward since what happened. We haven’t really spoken that much outside of work,” he explained. “I think we really needed to have that conversation. I feel as though a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.”
Dukemon nodded. “I can understand what you mean. It feels good to finally unburden yourself from something you’ve been sitting on for a long time…” he mentioned, looking at Omegamon.
“Yes, it did…” Omegamon smiled slightly. “…I feel as though my and Alphamon’s friendship is starting to go back to how it used to be. I’m really glad that he and I can talk together again…”
The crimson knight stared at Omegamon, his features warm and tender as he wore a knowing smile. “…Hey, Omegamon… Can I ask you something?”
Omegamon turned his head and observed Dukemon curiously. “Of course, Dukemon. Anything.”
“Do you have feelings for Alphamon?”
Omegamon nearly choked. Within seconds, blood coursed into his face flooded his cheeks with tingling warmth. His cyan eyes widened momentarily and he could only look away from Dukemon to hide his embarrassment.
“I-I don’t see how that’s any of your business, Dukemon,” he defensively replied.
Dukemon scratched his cheek with his index finger. He had a feeling he may have pressed a bit too far. “Sorry. You don’t have to answer. I’ve just always wondered…” he said, backing off just slightly. “We’re friends though. I won’t judge you or tell anybody. But if you say that you don’t, I’ll believe you.”
Omegamon grimaced, starting to think past the burning in his cheeks and the nervous churning in his stomach. He felt a bit guilty about putting Dukemon off. He supposed it wouldn’t be so bad if he explained it to make him understand…
“I…” Omegamon stammered, pausing as he tried to think of the right words to use for this delicate situation. “It’s… complicated, Dukemon…”
Dukemon shot Omegamon a warm and reassuring smile. “It’s fine. You’re right. It’s none of my business if you have feelings for Alphamon or not,” he promised him. “Forget I asked.”
A soft wince graced Omegamon’s eyes. He was having trouble finding the right words. “I… Alphamon and I are very close friends…” he responded.
Dukemon smiled and nodded. “Okay, then,” he replied, making it clear that he believed Omegamon and would leave it at that.
Omegamon hesitated. He could just leave the conversation there. Dukemon was giving him the chance to end it. However… he didn’t feel right about doing so. He drew a centering breath.
“…I don’t believe that the bond between lovers automatically supersedes the bond between friends,” Omegamon stated.
“Huh? What do you mean?” Dukemon asked.
“There is a perception among some people that it isn’t enough to simply be friends with somebody,” Omegamon explained, although his face was still warm and tingling as he spoke. “That, for the relationship to be meaningful or important, the logical progression is to go from friends to being lovers. Romance is treated as a step higher than friendship, which is seen merely as a stepping stone in two peoples’ relationship. I don’t view it that way.”
“Oh…” Dukemon replied, thinking about Omegamon’s words. “I see what you mean. I think.”
Omegamon looked at Dukemon with a bit of shyness. “My lower forms – WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon… They had a deep love for each other, but they were the best of friends. They weren’t romantic in the sense that you might think of, but they did love each other. They were comfortable in one another’s company. They were able pour their souls to each other and keep one another warm at night without feeling uncomfortable. If they didn’t have that love and friendship, I wouldn’t exist right now,” Omegamon explained. “To me, love is something that you feel, not necessarily something that you do…”
“Okay… I understand what you’re getting at,” Dukemon considered as he thought about it. “I do think there can be a difference, though… With somebody you’re romantic with, you can kiss them and have a physical relationship. You might not necessarily want to cross that boundary with somebody that you consider a friend, because your dynamic with them is different.”
“I suppose so… but that is a matter of the body, not a matter of the heart. I could still have feelings towards somebody without that,” Omegamon answered, his voice a bit reticent and his face still rather red. “At least, for me…”
Dukemon chuckled and nodded. “Okay. I see what you mean…” he responded.
Omegamon took a deep breath, summoning the courage that he embodied. He did what needed to be done despite his fear. He looked Dukemon in the eyes. “…I do have intense feelings for Alphamon.”
A knowing smile formed on Dukemon’s lips. “I always had a feeling…”
“I feel that we have an unshakeable bond between us… or, at least, we did,” Omegamon explained. “I care about him deeply… That’s why it was so hard when things became strained between us.”
“Still, you said you had a good conversation with him tonight, right? You said that things are good between you again,” Dukemon pointed out.
“I suppose…”
Dukemon gazed at Omegamon. “…I think you should tell Alphamon how you feel…”
Omegamon’s brows furrowed behind his helmet uncertainly. “…To what end? So that he and I can form a romantic relationship?” he questioned.
“Well, yeah,” Dukemon answered bluntly. “Wouldn’t you like that?”
“…I don’t know…” Omegamon guardedly deliberated. “It isn’t that simple, Dukemon…” The white knight sighed. “I don’t want to hurt OuRyuumon. I’m sure that he still loves Alphamon.”
“Sure… and I feel bad for OuRyuumon, but things like this happen,” Dukemon suggested. “It’s also about what you want, Omega. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t consider his feelings, but you shouldn’t ignore your own either.”
“It isn’t just that,” Omegamon insisted. “I… I don’t want to put Alphamon in an awkward position. If I forced the issue, it could cause him a lot of problems. Perhaps he doesn’t feel the same way that I do. He might struggle to know how to respond to such a suggestion from one of his closest friends…” Omegamon looked down. “…We just got our relationship back on track… I don’t want to jeopardize that and risk losing Alphamon’s friendship due to my own greed and selfishness.”
“It isn’t like that, Omegamon. It’s not greedy to have feelings for somebody,” Dukemon assured him. He stared at him directly, clearly transmitting his strong feelings. “You shouldn’t punish yourself for what happened.”
Omegamon softly shook his head. “Alphamon likely isn’t interested, regardless. He has had OuRyuumon for all this time. No matter what happened between them, that is likely where Alphamon’s heart still resides,” he said with peaceful resignation.
“You keep saying ‘likely’. You’re just making assumptions without actually knowing,” Dukemon explained critically. “Why don’t you ask him?”
“Because I don’t want to watch him stumble over himself as he tries to salvage our relationship while letting me down gently,” Omegamon bluntly countered.
Dukemon frowned. “…You know… I spoke to Alphamon after his argument with OuRyuumon. He told me what happened between you three after your encounter with DarkKnightmon. He tried to kiss you…”
Omegamon grimaced and turned his gaze away from the dragon knight. “He did. But he didn’t mean it… I knew he didn’t. That’s why it hurt…”
Dukemon continued staring at the white paladin. “Rebound kiss or not, he tried to kiss you. He wouldn’t have tried to kiss you for no reason. I’m sure he wouldn’t have done that with any of the other Royal Knights. He must have some feelings for you in order to do that…”
Omegamon smiled a little, with a fragment of pain in his eyes. “It’s fine, Dukemon. I’m more than happy to keep my and Alphamon’s relationship like it has always been. If we can be friends like we used to be, that is all that I need. I cherish Alphamon as a friend too much to risk putting that in jeopardy…”
Dukemon’s golden-yellow eyes softened. “Omegamon… You’re the least selfish person that I know, but a lot of the time, it’s at the detriment of your own happiness.
Omegamon turned his smile, wistful but honest, towards Dukemon. “I am happy now… Although it hurt sometimes, Alphamon’s friendship is more than enough for me. Now that I know what it’s like to be without it, to spend time together like we did tonight, just the two of us, is more than I could ever ask for.” Omegamon looked up and closed his eyes, releasing a satisfied breath. “…I am content with the way things are.” He opened his light blue eyes and smiled sincerely at Dukemon.
The crimson Royal Knight stared into Omegamon’s eyes. He seemed to be telling the truth… “…Okay, then,” Dukemon said with a grin. “If you’re happy, then so am I.”
Omegamon turned and looked at Dukemon. “…Thank you, Dukemon. For listening… and caring,” he told him.
“It’s no big deal. You would do the same,” Dukemon dismissed as he flashed him his usual smirk.
“…Spending time with you is just as important to me, Dukemon,” Omegamon felt compelled to add. “Your constant support, the ease with which we can speak… You have always been there, by my side, from the very beginning. You have always been there to listen to all of us and give advice. Your friendship and generosity is more than I could ever hope for.”
Dukemon sheepishly scratched his cheek with his finger. “Hey, I’m glad to help…” he responded with embarrassment. His voice became less playful and more sincere and heartfelt. “…You’re important to me too, Omegamon.”
Omegamon’s eyes locked with Dukemon’s. “I really do cherish you…”
Dukemon gazed back at him, his soft golds becoming lost in Omegamon’s warm, cyan stare.
Their gazes held, and they shared a breathless moment. Dukemon found that his hand had drifted on top of Omegamon’s knee. Dukemon’s stare pierced into Omegamon’s eyes, his own never straying.
Omegamon felt his heart skip as Dukemon inched near. He drew a sharp breath.
The metallic sound of a latch opening pierced the tense air. The bedroom door clicked and began to open, followed by a familiar voice.
“Dukemon?” Grani asked, peering inside from the widening gap between the door and frame.
Without missing a beat, Dukemon smoothly swerved his head and stood to his feet. He turned away from Omegamon and faced the door. “Hey, Grani. What’s up?” Dukemon casually asked with such ease that Omegamon questioned his own interpretation of what was happening.
Omegamon stood to his feet as well. Was Dukemon about to do what he thought he was about to do or…? Omegamon shook his head and composed himself as he would in battle. He tugged at the collar of his shirt and frowned as he thought about it.
Surely it wasn’t what he thought it was. Omegamon inwardly shook his head and dismissed the absurd notion. Dukemon was always the touchy feely kind of Digimon and he wasn’t afraid of invading another Digimon’s personal space. Despite the brief, intimate silence, there was nothing to suggest that Dukemon was being anything other than his usual self. Omegamon had been feeling emotional after talking to Dukemon about him and Alphamon, so he must have been reading things the wrong way. He thought better of it and decided the matter wasn’t worth pressing.
Grani drifted into the doorway. “I just returned from patrol and saw that you were still up. Shouldn’t you—“ Grani blinked and noticed Omegamon beside him. “Omegamon? Hello.”
“Hello, Grani,” Omegamon calmly greeted. He smiled amiably at Dukemon and began to walk towards the door. “I should actually be getting to bed. Goodnight, Dukemon. I appreciate our chat.”
Dukemon rubbed the back of his neck and watched as Omegamon began to take his leave. “Okay. Goodnight, Omegamon. See you tomorrow.”
Omegamon nodded and walked through the doorway as Grani moved into the room and out of the way. “Goodnight, Grani. Make sure he doesn’t find another excuse not to go to bed. We have a busy day tomorrow.”
“Very well, Omegamon. Have a good rest,” Grani responded. He watched as Omegamon closed the door and walked down the corridor to his bedroom. Alone with Dukemon, the Zero ARMS turned and stared at him a scrutinizing leer. “…Did I interrupt something?”
“Not really,” Dukemon said with a tiny smile.
Grani continued staring at him. “Dukemon?”
Dukemon grinned at him and walked back to his bed. “I just had a good chat with a friend. Nothing more,” he insisted nonchalantly. He swept open the sheets of his bed and sat on top of it. “Are you going to bed?”
“Yes, I am entering rest mode shortly,” Grani responded, floating over to the base of the giant bed.
“Goodnight, Grani,” Dukemon said, lying down and pulling the covers up to his shoulders.
“Goodnight, Dukemon…”
Dukemon closed his eyes and exhaled. It was better this way… He knew his friend still had feelings for Alphamon, despite his words. There was still a chance for his two friends…