Ben10 & Digimon Tamers
Heroes and Humanity
Part 01: Heroes and Humanity
Chapter 8
Originally Written: November 17, 2011 1027AM; November 20, 2011 443AM; November 23, 2011 448PM to November 25, 2011 318PM
Albedo stood behind Jenrya, his arms crossed behind his back. The silence of the walk to Jenrya's apartment had been unbearable. There was no rain to drown it out.
Jenrya lowered his head and pressed his hands against his face. A soft dark chuckle rose from him, "Your new nickname is 'Stating The Obvious'."
Albedo smirked, "That has a nice ring to it."
Jenrya pushed his keys into the lock, "I'm sure it does." He opened the door and suddenly pushed Albedo to the side.
Albedo pressed himself to the wall. Carefully he inched towards the doorway. He looked at Jenrya. The male stood frozen in the doorway. Jenrya glanced at him before quickly giving him his glasses. He nodded when he mouthed "Drop them". Albedo kneeled and then dropped them to the floor.
He stood and rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet. He watched Jenrya enter the apartment and closed the door. He tapped his hands against his pants as he heard the locks click.
Jenrya lowered his head. Suzie sat up on the couch and stared at him. He could tell her eyes were red as he looked at her occasionally in the partial light of the room.
She folded her arms, "I wish I knew what was wrong with you." She muttered.
Henry shook his head, "It's not your job to worry about me," He walked over to her and sat next to her, "I'm the older one."
She lowered her head, "I can't help it..." She looked up at him with wide eyes, "I'm not mad at you."
Henry pressed a hand against his forehead, "I-I don't know..."
"I'm not mad," She folded her arms. "You're so weird. Weirder than normal." She hugged him tightly, "I miss Terriermon too. The Golden Digimentals comes on tomorrow." She looked up at him smiling, "I know it's not the same, but it's ok." She let go of him.
Henry's stare of confusion softened as he watched her dig her bunny slippers into the carpet. "What are you-?"
"I miss Lopmon too." She frowned, "but Lopmon's thinking about me and-"
"-Oh my God-." Henry covered his eyes, "Don't you hear yourself? We learned over four years ago that the world doesn't grant your wishes with its", Henry moved his hands from his ears and wiggled his fingers mockingly, "magic wish-granting Digimon power fueled by light and all that other nonsense. I don't want to be reminded of Digimon anyway." He rubbed his eyes.
Suzie frowned, "You sound like that meanie." She folded her arms and sniffled loudly.
"Don't you dare..." Henry glared at her.
"You're such a jerk," She shoved him hard. He fell back on the couch, "Someone should yank those spores right out of you."
He watched her breathe in and out heavily, "The world doesn't run like it does in the show, Suzie."
"I know it doesn't! It'd be nice if it was though-"
"No it wouldn't! I'd probably delete everything!" Henry held his head in his hands.
"You're not a program thingy, or a Digimon, stupid." She smiled and started giggling. "You say the silliest things."
Henry shrugged, "I guess so." He stared at the floor.
Suzie wiped her eyes, "You're so...de...depress...like Ken after Sam died. You need more Davis in your life." She smiled brightly, "Albedo wears red. Is he your Davis?"
Henry sputtered. His eyes shifted as he thought of an answer, "Albedo's so far from being like Davis he probably is like Davis." There that would shut her up for a while.
Suzie blinked confused. Henry mentally cheered as Suzie stood up. She turned around to face Henry. "I didn't tell you ditched me."
Henry frowned, "I didn't ditch you-"
"Exactly," She turned back around. She swung her arms at her sides, "Night Henry." She skipped off.
Henry turned and watched her as she left, "She's such a-"
Suzie passed Janyuu Wong slowly, staring at him. She circled around him, "Night daddy."
Henry watched her facepalm as Janyuu turned to face him. A stern look graced his face, "Good night pumpkin." He patted her head gently.
"Oh brother." He murmured.
Suzie looked at him and shrugged in apology.
"Momentai for a moment, will you?" Janyuu nudged Suzie towards her room. She trotted off obediently.
Henry counted down on his fingers.
"I thought it was weird she came in by herself." Janyuu walked over to him, "She told me you were going for a walk."
Henry stared at his loosely closed fist, "She got here didn't she?"
"We told you specifically to bring her home yourself."
"One, mom never said anything and two, why? So I could hear you scold me because she said the wrong thing to me and I hurt her again?"
"You're not going to hurt her by staying by her side for a simple walk home." Janyuu shook his head.
"Don't know about that. Your genes run through my body." Henry gave him a look.
"The genes that run through your body gave you one of the closest smart mouthed friends you'll ever have in your life."
"Said genes also took them away. Watch me blow up the world one day."
"If you did, which you won't, it wouldn't be because of those genes." Janyuu took a seat next to him.
Henry turned away, lifting a leg on the couch and letting his arm rest on the now raised knee.
Janyuu sighed deeply, "I'm looking for a way to fix this."
"Not you," Henry spat, "your colleagues. You probably just sit around whining about how much of a brat I am."
"No, I don't, and if I did, which I don't because you're not a brat, if you were acting like a brat, which you're not to levels that aren't reasonable, those colleagues would tell me that you've every right to be the brat you are not being."
Henry looked back at him, "Don't give me your pity rambling crap you do when you think you acting guilty will change things. You do it all the time."
Janyuu lowered his hand.
"Why do I have to deal with your fuck up?" Henry spat, "Fix me."
Janyuu fisted his pajama pants, "I'm not sure how much I can."
Henry rolled his eyes, "Because you can't-!"
"That's not what I-"
"I hear him!" Henry jumped up from the couch, "I hear you and Doctor McCoy, 'This is bad. If we do this, we'll kill him.' Is that what you wanted dad? For me to die!? Am I really worth less than everyone else in Japan!?" The lights suddenly turned on. The bulbs in the living room all shattered, exploding outward. Henry's arms dropped to his sides. Janyuu shielded himself with his arms. The pieces of glass rang empty clangs as they landed on the tile and dull emotional thuds as they landed on the carpet. Henry clenched and unclenched his fist. Out the corner of his eyes he saw Rinchei, Jaarin and his mother all staring at him.
"Henry..." Jaarin whispered
"I'm...I'm fine..." He ran a hand through his hair. He looked at Janyuu, sitting slouched on the couch. He was staring back with wide eyes.
"Go back to sleep." Janyuu murmured.
"Honey..." Henry's mother spoke.
"Just a man to man talk. Go back to sleep. I'll clean up here."
"That's all you can do." Henry muttered. He walked towards the door, grabbing his keys.
Janyuu rose to his feet, "I won't give up on you Henry!" He called after him.
Albedo looked at Jenrya from his place down the hall. Jenrya's glasses sat perched on his head. He stood up as Jenrya walked towards him. He stumbled back when Jenrya shoved him. Before he lost his balance Jenrya grabbed the front of his shirt.
"Jenrya?" Albedo muttered, "You're acting stupid again."
Jenrya wrapped his arms around him.
Albedo froze.
"You're my secret." Jenrya whispered, he leaned his head against Albedo's chest. Jenrya shook as he cried.
"These humans are inadequate caretakers."
"I'm not ashamed of you." Jenrya muttered, "I won't kill you."
"All of them." Albedo glared down the hall even as he stood straight as an arrow, not used to the touch of another in such a manner.
"I'll show you off. And you'll be my precious secret."
Albedo stirred the heated drink resting in his hands. 'Caffeine free tea is much better than that coffee stuff. It's good that some humans have adequate taste.' He took a sip of his green tea, 'Maybe I'll have some chili fries later.' He looked at Jenrya across from him.
The blue haired male was curled up on the bench seat, underneath a familiar red jacket.. His cell phone sat on the table behind him, blinking idly as he slept. An empty bowl, once filled with miso soup, sat next to the phone. He wasn't fully sleeping though. His foot made the motion of tapping even though there was nothing to tap his foot against.
Albedo placed the cup down and rested his chin against his hand. He stared down at the now empty cup. The sound of the late night traffic outside only served to remind him of the pollution humans knowingly gave out as a gift to the world that gave them life. Albedo rubbed his eyes, holding in a yawn. He picked up Jenrya's phone, '4AM. What are the odds?' He stared out the window, ignoring his reflection on the glass. 'Humans are stupid, inadequate, useless beings. I need to hurry up, run more tests and return to my former self before I lose my mind against these animals.'
He ignored the woman who stopped at the table. She filled up his cup with more tea. He could tell she didn't leave afterward; her reflection looked at him in the window.
"What is it?" He muttered, holding in a sigh.
"Is he okay?"
"He's fine."
"He's Henry Wong right? That Digidestined, like from the show?"
'Insufferable human,' Albedo nodded
"That's so cool. You're like the second person outside their little group to personally befriend one of them." The girl squee'd. "I wish I could be that close with him. He's so cute. The last person who got that close was Trang Shion."
Albedo's eyes widened slightly. He looked off to the side with a smirk on his face, "Trang Shion?"
"Mhm. You don't know? You must not be from West Shinjuku or anywhere near. It was all over the news for months." She spread her arms as she spoke as though she was outlining something. "'Henry Wong moves from Digital World to Dating.'" She lowered her arms, "Trang Shion was his boyfriend."
Albedo blinked for a moment. Then he glared daggers at the window.
The lights flicked. The girl spoke on, "They went steady for years. Since he was like thirteen, fourteen."
"I see." Albedo muttered. The lights flickered more. "Thank you." He muttered.
The girl blinked, "What for?"
Albedo looked up at her. Light violet hair and sharp green eyes, "For letting me stay here for the night. It can't be good for business."
The girl blushed and waved her hand, "As long as you or Henry don't cause trouble, it shouldn't be any. Besides, since you started tutoring my little brother, he's been getting straight A's in math and science. Mom's so excited. "The girl waved her hands while rolling her eyes. "My mom would freak if she heard you needed help and we didn't provide any. 'That boy is tutoring my son for free and you didn't help him?!-' " The girl waved her finger.
"I see." He glanced at her nametag. "I've nothing better to do." He shrugged. Then he turned to look out the window again. 'Why would he say it was free? He's been giving me half his allowance every week...' He thought for a moment, 'I don't need any human brat's sympathy or pity.'
The girl giggled, "No wonder Akira thinks you're awesome. When he told me you look like Ben Tennyson I was expecting the poster boy for a pompous jerk's apprentice."
Albedo busted out in sharp loud laughter. He leaned against the table laughing so hard his eyes started to water. Jenrya sat up fully and looked at him while rubbing his eyes. Unnaturally Albedo cut off his laughter. His face warmed as Jenrya stared at him.
The girl was laughing quietly as well. "Thank goodness you're not like that." She picked up the still warm kettle sitting on the table and poured Jenrya some more tea."
"His level of pompeity couldn't possibly be replicated." Albedo looked down at the table. He stared at his reflection in the tea. He glared at the liquid clenching the hand resting against his cheek tighter.
"Definitely not." The girl placed the kettle back on the table, making sure a coaster was set underneath it. She stared down at the kettle, "It must suck looking like him," She muttered, "I thought you were a fan at first glance."
Albedo glanced up with just his eyes. He looked at Jenrya out the corner of his eye. The blue haired male looked at her quickly and then to him. "It's...no big issue. Let people assume as they may. I certainly won't be the one made an ass of." He tapped his fingers against the side of the mug.
The girl smiled and turned to Jenrya, "He's got smart comebacks. Just like you."
Albedo lifted his head and looked at Jenrya focusing on him fully.
Jenrya slumped slightly in his seat, muttering a soft, "Thanks."
Albedo took a gulp of his tea. He opened his mouth to speak, but already she was facing him again. Jenrya looked up at her with a glare. It wasn't as fierce as the ones he noticed Jenrya give Janyuu, but it still gave him something to think about.
"Despite all that, Ben Tennyson is absolutely cute." She clenched her hands in glee, beaming. "Since you're doing so well tutoring my brother, I was wondering if you were studying to be a teacher or something?" She folded her hands in front of herself, "You're so young. I could listen to you all night long."
Albedo stared, facing Jenrya but not quite looking at him. Despite that, he caught the strange energy resembling bluish lightning jumping from Jenrya's form. He paid no great attention to it however, continuing to stare at the set of tables and chairs behind Jenrya. The lights flickered rapidly and within a few moments the girl was screaming, ducking next to the table as the lights directly overhead them shattered and exploded outward.
He heard Jenrya groan softly. He looked over to him, lowering his hands from over his head. Small bleeding cuts littered Jenrya's arms. Albedo stood up quickly, careful of the glass. There were a few big chunks, but much of the disk shaped light covering and light bulbs had shattered into small pieces.
The girl, careful of where she grabbed the table, pulled herself up.
Albedo shook glass shards out of his hair and he circled around the table.
"Oh my goodness!" She looked up at the light. It swung ever so slightly.
Albedo glanced up as well.
"That's never happened before..." She placed a hand against her forehead, "Just what would cause that?" She looked over to Albedo and Jenrya.
Albedo started pulling out what glass he could from Jenrya's arms safely, "Do you've any medical supplies on hand? Tweezers, rubbing alcohol, band aids, gauze?"
"Yea yea, "The girl nodded, "I'll be right back with them. I'll ask mom to call the electrician too." She muttered things under her breath as she walked away.
Jenrya pulled his arm away from Albedo.
Albedo stared at him and folded his arms. "Whatever human issues you're having right now can wait. I don't know you if you've noticed, but you do have glass embedded in your skin."
Jenrya shook his head, "You're ridiculous."
"I didn't blow up a light fixture." Albedo leaned in close and lowered his voice, "I'm pretty sure it was you at any rate."
Jenrya lowered his head.
"You wear your emotions on your sleeve. Is that what these idiot teens run around saying all the time? Romance movie watching fools."
Jenrya smiled halfheartedly. He held his arm out for Albedo, "Too emotional right? Just like the human I am."
"I said it before, " Albedo carefully forced out a piece of glass, "and I'll say it again. You're better than the majority of them."
Jenrya shrugged.
"You act stupid when you're tired. Go home and get some sleep after you get cleaned up."
"Are you implying I'm throwing a temper tantrum?" Jenrya bounced his leg up and down pressing the ball of his foot against the floor.
"Whatever name you see fit."
The girl returned with supplies, ranting to herself in a civil manner about unrefined electricity and faulty products they purchased, 'Yonaida reminds me of a strange mixture of Mimi and Joe.' Albedo kept in a shiver as he worked on Jenrya's arms. Perhaps he'd watch more of that strange show next change he got.