A/N: This was born of the internal thought processes of a particular character during the writing of Disconnect Chapter 15. Let's just say that I've had the images of this floating around for a while, so that plus the writing finally brought this into being. Takes place either late in Crystal War or any time after. Sorato. And serious.
Every time she went on an especially dangerous mission, he was afraid.
The future was normally clear when he wished, but for this he could never see it. He knew his fear clouded the vision, but he could never fully banish it and was left with the pure anxiety and terror that she might never come back. She was his everything, and he couldn't bear to think about what the world would be like without her presence in it.
He worried about everyone, really; they were his family, and the idea of having his family broken again was something he never wanted to experience. But it was her – she had always been strong, but she showed him her weakness, and in return, he did the same with her. No matter what obstacles came their way, they had always managed to pull through them, their bond stronger than before.
He was still afraid for her.
"You're going?"
Sora nodded, her flight helmet and goggles tucked under her arm, sword strapped to her back, her outfit saying she was ready for battle.
"I don't know when we'll be back… a few weeks at least, and I have to be off the grid on this one, I wish I could keep you updated on everything, but - "
He placed a finger on her lips, smiling sadly. "I know. We've talked about this… it'll be fine. We're connected, remember?"
She looked down for a moment and closed her eyes.
"I know."
He pulled her into an embrace, holding her close. She returned it, and for a few moments, she was all that existed, just her presence, her warmth, her scent, her breath, just her. He had her, no matter how far away or how many worlds apart they might be.
He could feel her arms wrapped around his shoulders, and almost instinctively, he started running his hand through her hair. He never wanted to let her go, because to let her go would mean to let her go away on this mission, where she would be fighting and be constantly in danger. It didn't matter that was a capable warrior and a teammate he would trust his life with in battle; right now they were two people about to part, with the despairing potential that they might never meet again…
As if to mock him, his fingers touched a smooth, taut groove on her neck.
Sora stiffened, but otherwise said nothing. He was only filled with the guilt of that day and the unimaginable terror of those moments. It had been too close.
And he was still letting her go.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered, his head falling forward as he pulled her even closer.
"Don't be," she whispered back, and she held her hand on his to the scar.
It didn't matter how many times this happened. The scar was the reminder of reality and what they faced, and every time Sora left on a mission like this one, he would be left with that memory and what could have happened. He never knew if he wanted this future to appear to him – the confirmation of her death or survival. He was afraid to know.
But this wasn't the future. This was the now, and she was what existed.
They shared one, deep kiss before parting, and he stepped away, gazing over her and telling himself that he had faith in her. She was a teammate, a warrior, a leader. A Digidestined.
"Stay safe. I love you."
"I love you too Matt. Take care… and good luck."
Biyomon was waiting. He would believe in their strength and return, while he dealt with his own missions. He would keep fighting and living, knowing that somewhere in the world, Sora was doing the same for him. She will come back, he told himself as he watched her go. She will.
It still never stopped the fear.