'Does she like me, or does she not like me…'
Patamon, currently lying down on TK's bed since he left for school, had been stuck with this thought for quite some time. It had been a little over a week since the digidestined had defeated MaloMyotismon and had brought peace to the Digital World, and since that fight ended, Patamon had been thinking nonstop about Gatomon.
The sound of her name made Patamon flush with adrenaline. His one true friend that he had known for over four years had made the bat-like critter feel like the luckiest digimon alive. Though he really wanted to tell the white feline how he felt, the sheer thought of just coming out and confessing his feelings towards Gatomon made Patamon weak to his little paws.
Knowing that he was over-thinking the situation, Patamon decided to leave the comfort of TK's bedroom and venture out into the living room. Sitting on the couch, he turned on the television with careful usage of the remote.
'A few hours of watching simple television should ease my mind just a bit…'
This thought was quickly thrown out the window. Channel after channel showed dramas and soap operas that dealt with love and romance. Feeling betrayed by the television using its non-existent powers upon the rookie, Patamon decided that a quick little nap would do him good.
However, before he could enter into his slumber, the digimon was interrupted by TK's mother, Nancy Takaishi, entering the apartment. Ever since the defeat of MaloMyotismon, the digidestined simply felt that it was best to explain what happened over the past few months, thus leading to the parents knowing about the digimon. Though Nancy found it strange at first, she eventually found the little bat-like critter a joy to have around the house.
"Hello, Patamon, I see that you're finally up and about."
"Yeah well…you know, I thought I had to at some point."
Patamon's tone was a bit on edge, as he found it awkward to be communicating with TK's mother on a daily basis, though he hoped that this will cease.
"Is there something you want to talk about?" Nancy couldn't help but to see a look of anxiety on the digimon's face.
"Well, yes and no. I do have something on my mind but, no offense to you or anything, but I feel like I should just talk to my friends about it."
"I see; do you want me to call up anybody in particular to see if someone is at home?"
"Well…" Patamon slowly stated, "There is one person you can try…"
'Ooh, I hope he's there; he always knows what to say and do…'
"Man, over sixty channels on this television and still nothing good is on; oh well…"
Veemon couldn't take much more of the channel flipping and decided to turn the television off. Getting himself upright on the couch, he pondered on what to do next. Before he could do that, a knock came from the door. Curious to see who it was, the dragon-like digimon ran over and saw who it was.
"Hey…" Patamon stated, clearly out of breath, "Do you mind…if I…talk to you…about something."
"Umm…well you know you could have called here first, bud."
"I know, but you were kind of last person I wanted to talk to you about my current issue."
"I see…well, come on in."
Veemon ushered his friend into the apartment and both of them made their way to the couch.
"Okay, before I say anything, I don't want you getting upset–"
Veemon chuckled. "Why in the world would I get upset?"
"Well…this subject is kind of a big deal to me, and I know it kind of is a big deal to you…because it has to do with Gatomon."
"…So, what is it about Gatomon that you want to talk about?"
"Veemon, there's no other reason to say what I am about to say, so here it goes…I think I'm in love with her," Patamon said, eagerly waiting for a response.
Veemon looked down at his feet as they swayed off of the couch. "I see, and you don't want to tell her because you are afraid of what she might say."
Patamon couldn't help but to be taken aback by Veemon's statement. "Wait…you aren't upset about my love for Gatomon?"
"Nope, not at all," Veemon reassured Patamon with a smile on his face, "I kind of felt that you were close to her in that department; besides, my little crush on her just, I don't know, vanished some time ago."
"Really?"
"Yeah, and besides, I'm kind of digging the single life right now; you know, not having a care in the world to think about, just me, myself, and I."
"I'm glad you feel that way, but I kind of came here hoping to get some advice."
"If you want some advice, here it is – just be yourself. When you tell Gatomon how you truly feel for her, just be real sincere about it and make sure you add some feeling into it; otherwise, you'll end up looking like a complete fool, and I know you aren't that and I know that Gatomon doesn't think of you like that. In some way, I think she loves you too."
"Wow…I wasn't really expecting this from you; I mean the whole true advice thing."
"Yeah, Davis gave me a few pointers back in the day on how he tried to win Kari over…and let me tell you, they were useless, so I thought up some of my own pointers, and…well, there you go."
"…You know what, it really means a lot to me that you are giving me advice and aren't sounding the least bit jealous."
"Well, I kind of support you and Gatomon; after all, you both are my friends and I hope that you too end up being a couple and whatnot."
"Thanks for that," Patamon said as he gave Veemon a hug.
"No problem, friend," Veemon said, returning the favor.
"One more thing…where do you think I should tell her my feelings?"
"Well…I know one place that will work…"
"Hey, Gatomon."
The feline, lying on Kari's bed, looked towards her partner as she entered the bedroom, returning from school.
"Hey; how was your day?"
"It wasn't anything too bad….unless you want to count Davis trying to impress me again." At this, Kari rolled her eyes.
"Again?" Gatomon groaned, placing her paws into her head while shaking, "Man, when will he get a clue!"
Before she could continue, a few small beeps rang from Kari's pocket.
"Gee, perfect timing."
Kari's sarcastic tone quickly changed when she saw the sender of the message.
'Oh, it's TK. And he has a question for…'
"Hey Gatomon, are you free tonight? Patamon wants to know if you want to hang in the Digital World?"
Gatomon found herself sitting straight up, her eyes widened with a bit of excitement. Able to control her inner feelings, she shrugged, "Why not? I have nothing else to do."
"…Okay…" Kari said as she responded to her friend's message.
"…I wonder what he wants to talk about."
"I think you clearly know what he wants to talk about…and it's about you."
Hearing Kari's response made Gatomon feel a bit weak. "…I knew I should have seen this day coming sooner or later."
"Gatomon, you do know what I mean, right?"
"Yes, I know," Gatomon stated profoundly, "I know what he wants to do; it's just that I'm not sure if I'm ready yet."
"Well, you only got a few hours before you have to decide," Kari said, "If you want my two cents, just play tonight out and see where it eventually leads to."
Gatomon sighed while shaking her head at that advice. "Yeah, because we all can clearly see how that will go."
"C'mon Gats, you and I both know that this night would happen after the Digital World was at peace again; well, it's happening real soon and I don't want you going into this sounding real miffed about it…"
"Kari," Gatomon started out, "it's not that I knew that this would occur; it's the fact that if I'm truly ready to handle a relationship. You know how my past was; do you really think that after all of that, that I am ready to handle something as serious as what could happen?"
Kari couldn't help but to ponder at what her partner said. Sure she had a few rough years with being a part of Myotismon's army, but Kari thought that Gatomon could find true love sooner than later, and she believed that Patamon could be the one.
"Gatomon, I believe that you should know by now whether or not you are capable of being a part of a relationship. Hopefully tonight, you will know your answer."
Gatomon sighed once more at her partner's response, her feelings still where they started – anxious and doubtful.
"So, you're enjoying tonight's festivities, or…?"
Gatomon glanced over at Patamon as they continued their stroll through the forest.
"I guess…I mean, everything is going fine, thanks for asking."
"You're very welcome."
At his response, Gatomon mentally slapped her forehead. She didn't want to admit that she was enjoying the hangout more than anticipated. What started with some light dinner and a thoughtful, but tensed, boat ride, she was wondering what was coming next.
"So, I kind of wanted to show you something to cap off tonight, if that is all right with you?"
Patamon's question caught the feline a bit off-guard, but she quickly rebounded. "Sure; what do you want to show me?"
"Oh, you'll see in just a bit."
After a few more minutes, the duo found themselves on the beach. Feeling the sand right below their paws and hearing the sound of the waves crashing along the shore, both decided to lay down and look at the magnificent clear night sky.
"Isn't this a beautiful view?"
"This is marvelous and all, Patamon, but what should I be looking for?"
As soon as she asked the question, something shiny caught Gatomon's eyes. Focusing her attention, she saw a shooting star streaking across the sky. Though the display lasted for a few seconds, Gatomon was awestruck at the sight for much longer.
"Patamon, please tell me that you saw that?"
Upon asking the question, Gatomon turned towards him to see the bat-like critter beaming.
"I kind of knew it would be coming, so I decided to bring you out here, and judging by your look, I can see that you thoroughly enjoyed it."
"…But…why?"
"Well…" Patamon started off, sounding really nervous as he played with his wings, "in some sort of way, you kind of remind me of a shooting star; you were eager to see one and then magnificent when you finally saw it, and though it lasts a short time, the memory is still as strong as ever."
"Do…do you really mean that?" Gatomon asked, starting to tear.
"Yes, I do…because you are my shooting star; you came into my life when I least expected it, and you have been as beautiful and joyous as the first day that I met you. The only difference between you and a shooting star is that I want to feeling, the memory, to live on."
As he extended his paws to hold hers, Patamon looked up and said, "I…I love you."
Gatomon couldn't believe what she was hearing; she knew that he would be the one, and at this, she continued to cry tears of joy.
"So, aren't you going to say something?"
Only three words came into Gatomon's mind to respond to his question.
"Read my lips."
And at that, the two shared their first kiss together under the beauty of the night, under a sky that would be cherished for these two forever, as it was where they claimed their love for each other.
They simply wouldn't want to have it any other way.