I don't own digimon.

Story 12

Courage of Honesty

To say that Aegiochusmon was afraid was the understatement of the year. For all his accomplishments as a member of the Olympos XII and guarding the Digimon Sovereigns, he should be more than prepared for a simple visit to his partner. Tons of digimon had gotten the chance to do the same thing as him. All of them were still alive. Or at least, that was how Homeostasis claimed it to be. Whether or not they were actually telling the truth remained to be seen. For all he knew, his partner had moved and left behind their digivice in the process. Entirely possible and an easy out. But the strongman digimon didn't take easy outs. Or at least, outs that would make him look like a coward. Especially after that run-in with Mervamon. Last thing he needed was a run-in with her.

"I can do this." the ultimate digimon thought and tapped the front door. His fist passed right through with relative ease, sending a small chunk of the door into what Aegiochusmon suspected was the living room. Part of him sincerely hoped that was not the case. He hadn't even made an updated first impression and already he had destroyed part of his partner's home. What the heck was he going to do now? No way he was going to be let in. No, he would just be told to head back to the digital world and branded a coward.

"Aegiochusmon?" a voice called out, the ultimate digimon forcing his focus to the door. On the other side, a muscular man stood on the other side. Dressed in a plain t-shirt and jeans, Aegiochusmon felt smaller somehow. He was usually taller in his other form. But considering that said other form would not fit in the apartment hallway. How the people who built these places didn't plan for that was beyond his abilities. Even if it wasn't, this limitation would still be quite dumb.

"Bruce?" Aegiochusmon called out, watching the door open up. With Bruce's body on full display, he felt even smaller. He wasn't even sure how that was possible. Even more so now that he had punched a hole through the door. "Uh… sorry ab-"

He didn't get to finish that sentence, Bruce choosing instead to pull him in for a hug. Care was taken to not mess with his red arm, of course. Last thing either of them needed was for an unintentional explosion or something else stupid. He didn't even ask for this stupid thing. It just kind of appeared one day and he had to deal with it.

"Eh. That door needed to be replaced anyway." Bruce answered and let go of his digimon partner. Taking a step back, Aegiochusmon took this as his opportunity to stare further into the apartment. When was the last time he had seen this place? Had to be a bit before getting whisked back to the digital world. Yeah. That sounded about right. Even from this restricted angle, it was almost as if he stepped back in time. The burgundy walks still shined in the most awful way possible, while the gray tile floor had been maintained - regardless of everything that was thrown at it in the intervening years. A true testament to Bruce's father and his decision-making skills. Long as you ignored the barf-colored sofa that he claimed was a steal. If by steal, he meant 'found on the side of the road and needed to be burned', then yes. It was absolutely a steal of sorts. If by steal he was referring to the criminally low price that he paid to get it off of their hands, then it very much wasn't. Currently, a variety of people that Aegiochusmon didn't recognize sat on the accursed piece of furniture. While the ultimate digimon's first guess was family, there was nothing else in the apartment to really suggest that to be the case. Which only left one other option - friends. "How have things been going with you?"

Aegiochusmon's gaze swiveled back over to his partner. Taking a moment to compose himself, he let out a deep breath. Where would be the best place to start? Right after departing from this world? When he became part of the Olympos XII? Some mix of the two? This shouldn't be that difficult for him. Telling tales was just one small part of his job. But whenever his gaze met that of Bruce's, he turned into a quivering pile of worries and anxiety. Thank Yggdrasil that none of his co-workers could see him right now. What would they think of him now? Probably just throw him out and leave him be as a worthless failure.

"Aegiochusmon?" Bruce announced, snapping his partner out from this funk. Focusing back on him, a squeeze to the hand followed.

"I'm now a member of the Olympos XII." the ultimate digimon started as he let go of Bruce's hand. Heading further into the apartment, he tried his best to keep his focus on just his partner. "I have lots of friends and have gotten to see a ton of the digital world. It's quite an interesting place. Once you get all the various transport methods down."

Bruce nodded and came to a stop. Looking to the group of friends who had gathered on his absolutely hideous couch, he gave a wave. Their attention swiveled over, Aegiochusmon doing his best to not look away. Most of these people here were new to him. Friends from Bruce's work? Probably. Didn't look to have any digimon. Or they left their partner digimon at home.

"Oh hey. Your boyfriend finally returned." one of them announced, Aegiochusmon's face turning pink. Boyfriend? What the heck were they even talking about? No way they could actually be serious. Even if Bruce was super duper hot now, they probably weren't serious replies.

"Cut him slack." his partner announced and turned his focus back to him. Letting out a deep breath, time was taken to compose himself. "Unless you want that as well."

In that moment, Aegiochusmon felt absolutely tiny. But in a good way. The sort he hadn't felt in some time.

"Of course." he whispered and cracked a smile.