Title: Ruffian
Author: xChocolat
Date Published: 07.03.11
Disclaimer: Digimon and its characters and plot belong to TOEI.
Summary: Tai completely trusts Izzy, but he may have to reconsider after this little incident.
"Hey Izzy!" Tai sprung up from where he'd laid, his soccer magazine falling off his chest and into a crumpled pile beside him. Jumping to his feet, Tai urged his friend to do the same. "Izzy, get up!"
"Huh?" With his eyes glued to his laptop's screen, he slowly rose from his sitting position. Still not looking at him, Izzy tried to humor Tai by mumbling, "What is it Tai?"
"Surprise trust fall!" Tai had whirled around with his back towards Izzy, crossing his arms across his chest and closing his eyes as his feet loosened up, letting gravity guide him.
"WHAT!" Before Izzy could analyze the situation and process what Tai requested of him, his thick-headed friend was already falling. "Wh-whoa…! Waaah!"
In a heroic feat, Izzy quickly thrusted his laptop to the side, extending his arms as far as they could from Tai, and took a step back.
"Oof!" Tai fell straight as wooden board.
Izzy sighed in relief and closed his laptop, setting it securely down on the computer desk.
"OOOOWWWWW!" Tai curled up into a fetal position, nursing the sore on the back of his head. "What'd you go and dodge me for?"
"You can't suddenly declare yourself and then anticipate the perfect result! What is a surprise trust fall anyways?"
"Man Izzy! I'm s'pposed to be able to trust you the most! You had to catch me before I fell!"
"Sorry Tai but you can't just endanger my laptop and expect me sacrifice its safety."
"So you'd sacrifice me? Y-You ruffian!" Tai rolled to his side with his aching back towards Izzy.
"Tai, do you even know what that means?"
"…"
"A ruffian is a brutal, lawless person," explained Izzy as he knelt down by Tai.
"A surprise trust fall is a trust fall that is a surprise," grumbled Tai, still not looking at Izzy.
"Tai…your explanation…really sucks," snorted Izzy as he fought to contain his laughter.
"Grr…!" Tai whipped around and tried to enlighten his friend again. Honestly, how could this kid be a genius if he didn't even understand that! "I fall and you catch me because I trust you!"
"So I'm assuming it's an activity that involves one person entrusting their safety to another person, who proves that bond exists by receiving them and bringing them back to their feet. Ah, that's prodigious! A test of trust! I understand completely now."
Tai's jaw dropped at the overly ornate conclusion and rolled his eyes, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Now that you get it, let's try this again!"
A/N: I dedicate this to my brother, who gave me the inspiration for this little ficlet! The word "ruffian" came from English dubbed episode 01.49 (: Honestly, I think Tai and Izzy interactions are among the cutest! Tell me what you think in a review :D