"You really don't need to do this, Daisuke," Ken said as he sat at the kitchen table, ever the polite guest. He watched as Daisuke chopped up some fish with a knife, showing skill that implied experience. Behind them, Chibimon scurried about along the countertop, gathering pots, pans, and bowls in an effort to assist his partner.

"This is the only way I can think to pay you back for all the times you took me out to eat," Daisuke said as he continued to work, watching carefully lest he add a finger into his recipe.

"I didn't take you out expecting anything in return-" Ken began to protest, prompting Daisuke to interrupt with a shake of his head.

"I know, I'm just sayin'..." Daisuke said before he stopped chopping to finally look up to Ken. "But don't you dare complain about eating a meal cooked by a guy, you got it!?"

"Why would I?" Ken asked, an amused smile flickering across his face. "I cook as well, remember? You all ate my food during the Odaiba Memorial vacation, and I certainly didn't hear any complaints!"

Daisuke paused at that before looking sheepish. "Oh. Right."

"Daisuke's a great cook!" Chibimon said as he hefted up a small pan over his head. "Daisuke's great at everything!"

Daisuke smiled fondly at Chibimon before accepting the pan. "And you're the best assistant a cook can have, Chibimon."

Chibimon giggled as he blushed, smiling brightly.

Ken smiled softly as he watched Daisuke and Chibimon, then turned to look at his own partner as Wormmon sat in the chair beside him. It was hard not to, given how strongly he empathized with Daisuke in his love for his partner.

Silence settled in save for the utensils Daisuke used to cook. It only took a few minutes before he felt anxious about the quiet and he fumbled for a new topic. "So, uh… Why'd you learn to cook? I mean, you're so rich and smart, I would've thought you'd just have people cooking for you all the time."

Ken hesitated at the question before his smile fell for a moment. He quickly replaced it, though it was far more awkward than he would have liked. "I… I'm often on my own for meals, so…"

It was partially the truth. Before Osamu had died, if he wanted to eat, he was the one that had to scrounge something up. His mother would only remember to make something for Osamu, who in turn had taken care of him - whenever he thought of it. That left Ken far too often on his own. The journey through the Digital World had been a blessing and a curse in many ways, including giving him the opportunity to learn to cook from a very patient teacher and eager.

As for after Osamu's death…

...It'd be a cold day in hell before he'd eat that woman's cooking.

Ken quickly schooled away the scowl that had appeared on his face, with a small shake, before he made his smile return. "And really, it's just easier for me to cook what I like. I guess that makes me a bit strange."

Daisuke whipped his head around, a brief flutter of panic running through him. "I didn't mean it like that! There's no way I'd think you're strange, Ken!"

Ken blinked before he chuckled softly. "No, no, I'm sure you didn't mean it. I'm just being a bit self-depreciative, that's all."

Confusion was plainly evident on Daisuke's face. "Why would you do that? You're the coolest, most amazing guy in the world!"

Chibimon side-eyed his partner before he let out a soft sigh through his nose. He often wondered the same thing about Daisuke, but knew the answer ultimately came down to one person - Jun.

Wormmon glanced up to his partner, discreetly reaching over to touch his partner's leg in silent support. He knew far too well where Ken's thoughts were rooted, but he also knew he couldn't openly discuss it - whether Daisuke was around or not.

Ken chuckled again, a bit more awkwardly this time as a bead of sweat appeared on his brow. "I'm... not sure I'd go that far…" His smile strengthened as he tilted his head. "Well, regardless, now it's your turn. Why did you learn to cook?"

Daisuke let out a low rumble at the back of his throat. "Well, it's not like my mom doesn't cook for me or anything, but I help her out in the kitchen for my chores. There's no way I'm gonna be doing stuff where she's not watching while at home when I'm not in my room. Snd she didn't want me eating junk food just because I get up super early before school, so I learned to make breakfast on my own while everyone was sleeping."

Ken was about to ask why before realization flickered and his expression darkened. "It's because of Jun, isn't it."

Grimacing, Daisuke nodded after a moment, rubbing the back of his neck. "That obvious, huh?"

"Jun loves making things difficult for Daisuke," Chibimon said as he slumped his shoulders. "She's awful."

Ken let out a deep sigh through his nose. It seemed that the two had even more in common, though he could find no happiness in that thought. If anything, it made the darkness inside him churn and bubble, and he had to remind it that Jun had eaten her fair share of crow - he had seen to that himself.

Wormmon turned to Ken with a brow furrowed in worry and gently rubbed the back of his partner's hand.

"Jun gets super cranky in the morning," Daisuke said as he turned back to his cooking. "And naturally that means taking it out on me, especially on days where she had to get up early for some club or some sale or whatever. I figured I'd use soccer practice as an excuse to not be here for that as much as possible, you know?"

"But she's been leaving you alone, right?" Ken asked as he looked over to Daisuke. "Ever since… well. That."

"Yeah, thank God," Daisuke sighed, tension easing from his face. "Still, I don't wanna push my luck, and I don't want to get my hopes up this'll last, ya know?" He dropped his voice to a mutter out the side of his mouth. "It never does."

"That's for the best," Ken said with a nod. "It's best to not give her a target, if it can be helped. Some people just enjoy spreading misery."

Daisuke let out another, deeper sigh, shoulders slumping. "You got that right."

Silence hung in the air between them as Ken silently stewed and Daisuke fumbled with a change in topic. Fortunately, it didn't take him too long.

"So, you planning on going pro with soccer too?" Daisuke asked cheerfully.

Ken paused at that and blinked before his expression grew thoughtful. "I… had considered it." He then gave the other boy a sheepish smile. "Though I've been strongly discouraged by all of my advisors."

"Huh?" Daisuke blinked. "Why's that?"

"Well," Ken said as he leaned back in his chair. "It's the same reason I've been discouraged from playing soccer at all - it's 'taking time away from more important things'." He gave a small shrug before he smiled at Daisuke. "So you're planning on going pro?"

Though Daisuke was troubled by Ken's answer, he still managed to be enthusiastic about his. "Hell yeah! I'm going to win the World Cup for Japan someday!"

Ken's smile widened. "Good for you. You've got a lot of talent, and I can definitely see you making it far."

"Of course!" Chibimon agreed as he hopped on the counter. "Daisuke'll make all the goals!"

Daisuke beamed, his smile radiant. "You really think so?"

Ken nodded, unable to help but match the goggle boy's grin. "I do."

A noise of glee eeked out of Daisuke before he covered it up with a cough and forced himself to regain his composure. "I'm glad you think so, Ken. That means a lot."

Ken did his best not to chuckle, even if he really wanted to. Daisuke's excitement was a bit adorable, even as he felt guilty for such undeserved idolization, and he didn't want to feel embarrassed by it. "I'm glad. You definitely deserve the encouragement."

"Thanks!" Daisuke practically chirped, cheeks pinking.

The atmosphere was notably lighter as Daisuke hurriedly finished cooking an impressive sized meal which, after the Digimon got their share, would leave the boys each with a modest portion.

Ken took his chopsticks and picked a piece of fish, grilled to perfection, before he placed it in his mouth. He chewed it before he was immediately hit with the flavor, and pleasure flushed across his face. "Daisuke, this is delicious!"

"Really?" Daisuke asked eagerly, eyes alight with enthusiasm. "You think so?"

"I do!" Ken said before he resumed eating, then gave the goggle boy a sly grin. "Perhaps you should consider a career in cooking as well."

Daisuke let out a snort of laughter, practically falling to his chair as he took a seat. "Yeah, right! A career pushing a ramen cart around maybe."

"I like Daisuke's ramen," Chibimon said innocently. "I like all the food Daisuke cooks."

"Thanks, Chibimon," Daisuke said, grinning as he rubbed Chibimon's head.

"Ramen's big business, you know!" Ken said as he snapped his chopsticks together. "You could become a billionaire ramen tycoon!"

Daisuke nearly spat out his drink. "A billionaire ramen tycoon? Really?"

Ken managed to maintain an innocent look on his face, even as he tried to hold back his laughter. "It can't be that hard, can it? Just put a bunch of noodle carts all over the place, and you'll soon be swimming in broth - I mean, money."

Daisuke tried to get his laughter under control, but only managed to turn it into snickers instead. "Oh yeah, and I'll go international and have my face on magazines, TV, and even on the moon!"

"Of course!" Ken chirped. "Aliens need ramen too!"

"Especially Daisuke's ramen!" Chibimon said, matter-of-factly, before he took a big bite out of his fish as he held it with both paws.

Wormmon laughed along with the boys, his heart lighter than it was most days. There was not a doubt in his mind that Daisuke was good for Ken. The time the two boys spent together shone a light in the darkest part of Ken's life, which his partner desperately needed.

As much as Wormmon hoped his love and devotion would be enough, he knew he couldn't save Ken alone. For these moments when Ken's smile was genuine and laughter came easily, Wormmon was eternally indebted to Daisuke.

Daisuke and Ken's friendship gave Wormmon true hope that everything would get better, and Ken would be saved from the call of the Dark Ocean.