A/N: Final part of the Joe Demon-Eyes set. I'm hoping to upload something large next week, so here's hoping... *crosses fingers*
And gasp! This is drabble 200! It feels a bit momentous... yet I have nothing particularly momentous for the occasion XD
"I'm kind of surprised that you didn't wake me up last night," Kari commented, peering up to examine his eyes. Joe had taken off his glasses to make it easier for her. "I wouldn't have minded, you didn't have to wait until I got up."
He shrugged. "It's not like this was life threatening."
"You just had to deal with the demon-eyes joke going around all morning."
Joe released a long sigh, wondering why he did allow himself to be messed with in such a manner. "Considering both Tai and Nicole, it probably wouldn't have been much of a difference."
"It would've lost the impact though," Kari replied with a small tilt of her head.
"Yeah, not nearly as funny if people can't see if for themselves," Tai chimed in from the corner.
Joe wasn't really sure why Tai was still there so many hours later. Nicole had already showered and was probably checking in on her team. Tai had elected to go jump in the lake with Agumon and still had yet to take a real shower. Maybe their leader was slightly more concerned than he let on.
"I dunno," Matt shrugged, poking at the piece of bacon on his plate as Kari continued to inspect Joe's eyes. "It's a little more worrisome than funny."
Matt was probably a little concerned too.
"Come on though, you gotta admit they're sorta demon eyes," Tai waved a hand at him.
Matt leaned in, and his eyes briefly gave off a light blue glow. "Technically, Nicole and I should be the 'demon eyes' people since this actually happens to us when we're exerting a lot of power."
Tai snorted. "But that's not demon eyes. That's psychic eyes," he argued back.
"Okay, I can do this," Kari announced as she straightened. "Joe, open your eyes wide for me."
"Finally," Joe sighed in relief. He did as she asked, hoping that all the red was visible to her. Never again, never again will I mess up like that again while diving, what with all the other dangers that come with, though this is pretty harmless compared to the bends or something.
Kari let a warm pink light surround her left hand. Even with his severely blurred vision, Joe could see Tai and Matt watching with amused interest as the light pulsed - her way of checking to make sure her control was stable. She took a breath, held up the hand with a focused look on her face…
And then she suddenly held up her camera.
Click!
Joe blinked in surprise and stared at her.
"You did not."
The two boys behind her were both grinning. She giggled as she pocketed the camera. "I had to before I healed you. Now…"
"Kari!" he protested as her light flowed into him. There was a gentle warmth in his eyes, his vision was blinded by white for a moment, and then it faded back to the view of the kitchen.
"All done," she said cheerfully. Joe put his glasses back on and sighed.
"Thanks," he replied, unsure if he should sound grateful for the healing or annoyed that she now had blackmail material. "My eyes are really okay now, right?"
"Yes," all three answered.
He still didn't quite trust them. With a turn of his hand, he grabbed a black pan off the counter, summoned a pool of water into it, and willed it to become as still as possible. Then opened his eyes wide and gazed at his reflection.
"Really Joe?" Matt asked, sounding amused. "You don't trust us?"
"After all the 'Demon Eyes' comments? No," he stated bluntly. He felt relief at the definite white circling his irises. "Phew, they're normal again. Thanks Kari."
"No problem!" she chirped.
"And please delete that photo."
"No way! We have to remember this somehow!" Tai exclaimed, holding both arms out to the side in an awed pose. "Joe Kido, Demon-Eyes, Lord of the Ocean Underworld…"
Joe gave up. Some battles simply could not be won.