-Authors note-

Hey, I hope that you like the story. It is set around the time of the epilogue. I changed a few things around, the main thing being that Davis never got married or had kids and he mysteriously left Japan years ago with very little explanation. He hasn't contacted any of the digidestined since. Also Ken is an elementary teacher instead of a detective because, well, because it just suits him better. Sorry about using the English names, I've only seen the dub so I wanted to use them.

A content warning for mild angst.

-Let me know if you like it.-

'We're here!' Yolei declared excitedly as the family approached the beach.

'We're heeere we're heeeeeeere' she continued in a sing song manner, drumming her hands on her husbands shoulders.

'Remember, we have to put your sunscreen on before you can swim' Ken said to his children as they grimaced.

'But its so gross!' Their eldest daughter Betty protested. 'It makes me look all greasy, everybody's going to look at me'.

'Yeah, I hate it' their son Noah chimed in.

'Look, we all need to wear sunscreen if we go to the beach or we'll burn up' Yolei said sternly as she held out the sunscreen.

The eldest daughter rolled her eyes at her mother as she reluctantly accepted the tube.

As yolei rolled our the beach towel she discreetly (or not so discreetly) hid their valuables in their shoes, while suspiciously eyeing anybody who dared to watch. Ken knelt down on one knee before their youngest son Bobby.

'You excited little buddy?'

'It looks like on the TV' Bobby remarked with amazement as his little eyes took in the crashing waves and glittering sand for the first time.

'Yeah it is' Ken replied with a gentle smile creeping cross his face 'Just wait until you get in the waves.'

'Ok all done' the middle child announced happily. 'Can we I go in the water now huh?'.

'I think we're all ready now' Yolei replied as she began walking towards the surf with a spring in her step.

Ken and Yolei had been saving up for a vacation in Australia all year and now they were finally here. They only had a week to spend and they intended to make the most of it.

The family laughed and played in the waves. The crisp salty wind and the clear blue water made the usual stresses melt away.

Ken sighted a tall natural rockwall at one end of the beach that had been made into a lookout by carving stairs into the side.

'Hey look at that' he gestured and began cautiously wading towards it in the water.

'Would you like to go have a look?' He asked turning back at Yolei and the children.

They swam following Kens lead, Betty looking more unenthused about this decision than the others, as was her nature.

Kens midnight black hair danced around his face as the wind increased. With each step that the family climbed the more of the breathtaking shoreline they could see.

'Wow we sure don't get this in Japan!' Yolei commented loudly.

'Yeah, it sure is incredible' muttered a man standing at the top of the rocky lookout.

Yolei couldn't quite tell if he was replying her or commenting to himself. Which wasn't made easier by the fact that he was standing with his back to them, staring at the ocean.

The stranger had a confident stance with a flameprint surfboard under one arm. He had a dark golden tan and a head of reddish brown hair that was messy and disheveled from the wind (that was even stronger at the top of the lookout).

The three children curiously explored the lookout while Ken and Yolei just stood and appreciated the sight before them.

Yolei held Ken's hand and he smiled sweetly at her in response.

'Hey check it out!' Yolei exclaimed, almost violently shaking Ken's hand to get his attention.

'What!? What!?' Her husband laughed.

She excitedly pointed at a small blue creature that was walking along the lookout. It settled next to the tanned stranger.

'I haven't seen a Veemon since the old days, maybe they are more common in Australia' Yolei speculated.

'Maybe' Ken said quietly as he stared off into the crashing waves.

'Hey, excuse me sir, if I went and got my camera could I get a photo of your veemon?' Yolei asked the man who was standing in front of them.

The proud figure began to turn to face the couple.

'Sure! Veemon and I would be happy to strike a po….YOLEI!?'

He jumped in shock, as did a startled Yolei as she registered a familiar face.

'And K-ken?' He exclaimed

Ken looked like he had seen a ghost His eyes widened, like they didn't believe what they were seeing.

Before Ken could bring himself to speak the man had layed his surfboard on the ground and embraced both of them in an almost uncomfortably tight hug.

'Davis…..' Ken exclaimed, a true delayed response, eyes still wide with alarm. He could feel his heart racing like he was about to perform in front of thousands as he returned the hug.

He hoped that they both couldn't feel him begin to shake as both of their bodies were pressed against his.

'Oh my gosh! Ken and Yolei, here in Australia!?' He almost shouted as he released them from the hug.

'What brings you guys to my neck of the woods?' He added.

'Your neck of the woods?' Yolei said in a confused tone.

'Yeah, I live here, a bit of sun, a bit of surf, life is good'.

'We're here for the week as a vacation' Ken forced himself to say.

He knew that if he didn't begin contributing to the conversation he could easily be staring in stunned silence for the next hour at this figure from his past that was standing in front of him. Still just trying to figure out how he is meant to feel about this development.

'Wow, that's great guys, you'll love it I promise!' Davis said enthusiastically, running his hand through his hair.

'Are these your kids?' Davis asked as the children walked over to the couple.

'Mum, I'm hungry' Noah declared as he tugged on Yolei's swimsuit.

'Yeah, they are….you've been gone a long time..' Yolei said to Davis in a slightly cold tone before reassuring Noah that they would get something to eat soon.

The confident grin that had painted Davis's face this entire conversation faltered as he adopted a more serious tone.

'Look, I'm really sorry about the past, you have to believe me I am, but were all here, in Australia, I would love to catch up like old times, and not let the past get in the way of the present y'know? Like, how lucky is it that we even ran into each other?'

'It was pretty unlikely' said Ken, considering what Davis was saying.

'And, I guess I'd like to know what you've been up to all these years' Ken added after hesitating for a minute.

Ken and Yolei breifly glanced at each other, to confirm that they were both alright with this decision.

'How about this' Davis began 'My house is only a ten minute drive from the beach, you could come have dinner at my place, your little ones too' he added as he bent down slightly and gave them a cheesy grin.

'Do you have cable?' Betty asked with her arms folded.

'Yes indeed I do!' Davis cheerfully responded.

'Haha sounds great' Yolei added, her tone slowly becoming less serious.

'OK!' Said Davis triumphantly as he collected his surf board.

'I'm guessing you want to go sooner rather than later so we can get dinner started?' Davis asked while glancing at the children.

'Yes please' Bobby said meekly.

'Alright' Ken smiled down at Bobby 'Let's go then'.

Davis pulled the car into the driveway and everybody poured out. 'Woah!' Yolei said, staring at her former friend's home, which was essentially a water front mansion.

'Yeah, thanks to the noodle business I've done pretty well for myself'

'Always were the humble one' Ken said in a slightly mocking tone with a quiet giggle.

Davis smirked back at him.

Little things like that could almost make it feel like they hadn't been apart.

Ken watched Davis as he fumbled for his house keys, he still makes the same facial expressions when he's frustrated, he observes.

'Alright, make yourself at home guys, don't be afraid to ask for anthing' Davis reminded everybody as he entered the lounge room.

'I should get started on dinner, what do you guys want to do' Davis asked the children.

'Can we watch TV?' Noah queried shyly.

'Of course' Davis said as he gave him the remote.

'I want to play with Veemon' announced Bobby.

'I'm sure Veemon would be happy to do that, wouldn't you Veemon?'

'Sure Davis, as long as I get to see Ken and Yolei later' the energetic digimon bargained.

'OK buddy' Davis responded confidently as he messed up Veemon's fur a little.

'You guys wanna help me with dinner?' He called back to his adult house guests.

'Sure!' they both said, almost at the same time, it happens when you're married.

They trailed into the kitchen. Ken looked back over his shoulder at his children to check on them. 'Will you guys be alright while the adults make dinner and catch up?'

'Yes dad' they responded in a tone that implied that he needed to stop asking.

'I don't mean to brag or anything, but I am kind of an expert at noodles. I could make you guys my famous tofu chive special, it's become really popular with the "Noodle noodle, come get your noodle" francise' stated Davis.

'Sure, that would be lovely' said Ken with a smile.

'So, if you guys chop the chives and carrots…..' Davis began as he slid a chopping board in front of each of them.

'Then I'll do the rest' he said as he did a thumbs up gesture.

'Alright!' Replied Yolei as she began to prepare the chives.

'You have to tell me what you guys have been up to all these years' Davis inquired.

'Hmm' Ken pondered what had happened since they were last together.

'Well I graduated teaching college, I've been working at Higashi elementary. This year I'm teaching a 2nd grade clas-'

'No way! Your teaching at Higashi? I went to Higashi!' Davis interjected excitedly.

'I know, it was pretty funny at first, going to work with some of the teachers that you told me stories about when we were kids' Ken joked.

'Oh man, is Mr Mata still there?' Davis asked.

'He was, but he retired last year. He's still as stern as ever, on his last day he still gave out four detentions' Ken remarked.

'Wow, same old Mr Mata' Davis muttered shaking his head.

'Yolei! What have you been doing with yourself?' Davis enquired with a grin as he put the noodles on to boil.

'Well, when Ken and I decided to have kids we agreed that I should stay home and raise them full time until they were old enough' Yolei told Davis. 'I'd wanted it that way, but lately I'd been regretting that I didn't have a career. Don't get me wrong I love being at home with the kids but I want to do more too you know?'

'Yeah?'

'So this year I've been studying IT online, and when Bobby is old enough for elementary school I'll be finished my qualification'.

'You always were the computer whiz' Davis responded 'Seems like you have a good plan'.

'What about you Davis, I thought you told us that you were moving to Germany, then we find you here, in Australia of all places' questioned Yolei.

Ken looked up from his chopping and listened for Davis's answer attentively.

'Y-Yeah' Davis stuttered slightly 'I did live there, for a while, but it just wasn't my thing y'know. but when I visited Australia, I knew it was the place for Davis Motomiya'.

'But wh-'

Yolei began but Davis interrupted her. Ken couldn't tell if he was avoiding the topic or if he was just excited to tell them about his noodle business. Davis always had so much enthusiasm for everything that he does that at times it makes him hard to interpret.

As Davis finished telling the story of how "Noodle noodle, come get your noodles" became a worldwide franchise he ladelled the noodles onto six plates.

'Dinner is served guys, dig in!' He announced as they brought plates to the table and beckoned the children into the room.

Everybody sat down at the table and enjoyed "Noodle Noodle's" signature dish. They reminisced about their time in the digital world and discussed their lives well into the night.

'Wel-' Yolei stretched her arms and arched her back as she yawned. 'Well, its getting kind of late, we should probably head off'.

'OK..' Davis said as he sunk into his seat slightly, his eyes downcast , looking almost like a dissapointed child. 'Where are you guys staying?' Davis asked, lifting his gaze for a minute.

'We were going to get a motel, there are lots around here' Yolei informed him.

'Hey, If you guys wanted to you could stay here the night, save the price of the motel. I've got enough beds' Davis offered.

'Are you sure that's alright? We don't want to be any trouble' said Ken politely.

'It's no trouble at all, here, I'll show the room!

Yolei's snorning almost made Ken feel jealous, he had been trying to sleep for hours. He tossed and turned but he just couldn't seem to get comfortable.

The whole situation made Ken feel uneasy, after all he hadn't seen Davis since before he was married.

'I'm happy to get to see Davis again, I really am, but I still feel conflicted' he thought to himself.

Ken stared at the ceiling as the knot in his stomach grew.

'Maybe if I get up for a while I'll feel better' Ken concluded.

As Ken entered the lounge room he was surprised by what he saw.

'Davis?' Ken said in an alarmed tone.

'Yeah, what's going on, is everything ok?' Davis questioned from the couch.

'Yes, you just startled me is all' Ken sighed, still lightly clutching his chest.

'Ah, sorry about that Ken haha' Davis leaned in towards him. 'Are you not able to sleep either?'

'Yeah unfortunately'

'Well make yourself comfortable, I've got just the thing!' Davis ordered as he jumped up.

Ken settled on the floor by the fireplace and pulled his knees in close to his chest. The warm fire crackled and glowed.

'I hope you like licorice tea!' Davis called out from the kitchen.

Even though it was a small gesture, in this moment Ken felt safe, warm and taken care of.

Davis returned with two steaming mugs.

'Be careful, its hot' he warned as he handed Ken the tea and joined him on the floor.

'Its good huh?' Davis asked, as though he was eager to please.

'It's delicious' Ken said after taking a sip.

This was followed by a silence that went slightly longer than either of them were comfortable with

'..Y-you know ken...' Davis began, anxiously fiddling with his bracelet. 'I'm so happy that you are here, like really happy, I don't think that i've felt this good in a long time'.

Ken silently gazed into the dancing flames as he contemplated his response, his face adopting a more serious quality.

Davis glanced at him, awaiting his response.

'Did I say something that upset you? Im sorry ke-'

'Why did you leave, Davis?' Ken interrupted in a stern yet monotone voice.

'It's like I told you, I needed to see the world, Japan just wasnt doing it for me y'know?'

'No, I dont know' Ken snapped back. They were both slightly taken aback by his sudden ourtburst of emotion, though, given the circumstances it was understandable.

'I know that wasnt the only reason' Ken said sternly.

'I dont know what else to tell you because that's all there was to it, I wasn't gonna cope if I just stayed in Japan'.

'Dont lie to me Davis..dont lie' Ken wept quietly as a tear dripped down his face.

'I know that our friendship meant more to you than that, it had to' Ken said weakly. 'It just doesnt make sense why you didnt keep in touch, I tried to understand why, I tried so hard but I never could'.

More and more tears welled up in Ken's eyes. 'I could never understand what it was that made you throw our friendship away Davis, did I do something that made you hate me?'

'No! No! You've got it all wrong!' reassured Davis nervously.

An uncomfortable silence followed that was only filled with Ken's sobbing and Davis desperately to come up with the right words.

After some time Ken managed to compose himself.

'I'm sorry' he muttered quietly. It was obvious that he was embarrassed about getting so upset as he couldn't bring himself to look Davis in the eye.

'But you aren't the one who should be sorry' Davis replied, briefly putting his arm on Ken's shoulder.

Davis sighed and his face turned to a sad expression that matched Ken's.

'Trust me, you don't want me to tell you the truth' Davis said with his eyes looking to the floor.

'Oh?' Ken lifted his head to glance at Davis.

'How do you figure?' Ken questioned in a much calmer tone than earlier.

'It-it would just make thing harder' Davis stammered.

'Also...' he looked down and fiddled with his bracelet. 'Also, i think I'm too much of a coward to tell'.

'Davis, that can't be true, how could the guy with the crest of courage be a coward?' Ken affirmed as he lightly nudged his old friend.

'I guess you deserve to know' Davis sighed as a lump formed in his throat.

Ken leaned in attentively.

'Well you see...its like...w-well...Arghh why is this so hard'.

'Its alright, just try' Ken reassured.

Almost every part of Davis was telling him to stop but then he blurted it out.

'I was in love with you OK! Like, really in love with you! I couldn't think about anyone else'.

'Dav-' Ken began but Davis hastily interrupted him.

'I really wanted to be able to he happy for you, I tried but I think a part of me was waiting for you and Yolei to break up'.

His face got more solemn

'But when I found out that you were getting married...' he went quieter.

'I felt like I wanted to die, I felt so dumb that I didn't tell you how I felt earlier, i missed my chance, I was going to have to watch the love of my life marry somebody else'.

'Then i ran away. Like a coward'.

Ken was speechless staring at his friend in shock

'I-i had no idea' Ken finally said. 'Do you still feel that way?'.

'No, I think I've had enough time to get over you' Davis said embarrassedly 'I never thought that I would but having all this distance made me get over it'.

'You know you could have told me' Ken said sympathetically 'I wouldn't have judged you'.

Davis shook his head. 'No I couldn't have, I know it would have ended up messing things up for you and Yolei somehow. I don't know how, but I didn't want to be responsible for that. I felt like if you knew how much it was hurting me you would have tried to help me, it would have just gotten in the way of your relationship'.

Without words Ken embraced Davis in a long hug, which was more reassuring than anything that he could say.

'I missed you' Ken said but it unintentionally came as a whisper.

'I missed you too' Davis uttered with emotion while still wrapped in Ken's arms.

'Can we start over?' Davis added 'I miss having a best friend'.

'But we go back to Japan in a week' Ken reminded him.

'I know, I know, but we can still keep in touch, if you add me on Facebook we could message each other like all the time if we wanted'

'I'd like that' replied Ken with a gentle smile.