"Um... I don't think... yeah, I really didn't think this through."
"Is there a problem, Tamer?"
Tamer and digimon were standing in the spare room, planning how to make a suitable bed for Ren.
"Well... you see, I thought I was being a good tamer and setting you up with something to sleep on, but..."
Ren just stared at him expectantly, awaiting his explanation.
"...well... I can't just magic a bed out of thin air."
Ren gave him a questioning look.
"So what were you planning to do?"
"I... dunno. I guess I hadn't really gotten to that part."
He gave the digimon an apologetic look.
"...um, we can still try to improvise something for you. Or otherwise we could try to see if maybe IKEA has something suitable."
"What is IKEA, Tamer?"
"It's... heh... it's a maze that also sells furniture."
Ren gave a confused look at the tamer's explanation.
"That is a strange combination."
"Yeah, easy to get lost."
"I would make sure not to lose you, Tamer."
"Uh, that's... very nice of you. But it's not that bad. You just gotta follow the path. Anyway, we could take a look online and see if they have anything that you like the look of. But I'd probably have to hire a van to get it home. My little Honda doesn't fit much... like your tail for instance."
The digimon's expression turned downcast at the memory of what happened in the car.
Internally, the tamer kicked himself for bringing it up.
"...you're still a bit mopey about that, huh?"
Ren's gaze was fixed on the floor.
"I... I hit you in the face,Tamer. I cannot forgive myself for that."
"Oh, get over it, Ren. It's fine. Your tail's nice and soft."
"It is?"
"Uh, yeah. I mean, it's covered in all that floof. You're not gonna be doing any damage with that thing. I forgive you for it, so you should forgive yourself for it."
Ren kept staring moodily at the ground.
"...look, just forget it, ok?"
The digimon gave a small nod.
"...good, now let's see what we can come up with for you to sleep on."
"Tamer, I do not wish for you to have spend your money on-"
Ren stopped mid sentence as he realised his tamer was giving a grumpy look.
"...is something bothering you, Tamer?"
"You said you would let me set up something for you to sleep on."
"I... did. But I thought you may already have something that I could use."
"Yeah, well now that I think about it, I'm not sure what we could use. The only thing I have is the old daybed on the deck, but that's not in great condition. And the mattress that's meant to go on it is basically just foam."
"May I see it?"
"Well, if you want."
He led Ren back to his bedroom and opened the door out onto the deck. Sitting on the deck was a worn timber daybed.
"...see, it's a bit old and rickety. I don't think this is gonna work... and I really don't want it inside, given how long it's been sitting out here gathering dirt and stuff."
"I understand. What about the mattress?"
"Oh, I keep that in the wardrobe in the other bedroom. Don't want it outside when it rains."
He led the digimon back through to the second bedroom and wrangled the mattress out of the wardrobe. It was a plain cream colour and was much smaller than a typical single mattress.
"...see, it's pretty small and the foam is really cheap. I don't think it's gonna be very comfy to sleep on."
The digimon ran his eyes over it and gave it a prod with his handpaw.
"I think this would be perfect, Tamer. May I try it?"
"Really? Well... I guess if you want to."
He let the mattress fall to the floor next to the desk.
"...go for it."
Ren went over and knelt down on the mattress, testing the foam's softness. Seemingly satisfied, he then laid down and curled himself up, much like he had done the previous night.
The tamer gave a little laugh at the digimon's behaviour.
"Heh... how do you curl yourself up into such a small ball, Ren?"
"I... did not think this was a particularly noteworthy feat. I have always slept like this."
"Hmm, ok. Anyway, is it comfortable?"
"Yes, this will suit me nicely."
"Well, if you're happy with it... great. We can put a clean sheet over it so you're not on the rough fabric. And I've got a spare blanket. Let me get some stuff and we can make it all nice for you."
The tamer left to get the linens.
When he returned, Ren was sitting on the mattress cross-legged and running his claws across the texture of the mattress.
He handed the sheet and blanket to Ren.
"Here you go, make yourself comfortable."
The digimon was a bit unsure how to accept the generosity of his tamer, not having received such treatment in the digital world.
"I... thank you, Tamer."
"No worries."
The tamer had expected Ren to step off the mattress so they could fit the sheet, but instead the digimon took both the sheet and blanket and laid them in a circle on the mattress. He then nestled himself inside, again curling into a ball.
The tamer stood watching in disbelief. He folded his arms across his chest.
"That's not really how I thought we'd do this, Ren. You know... normally you go under the blanket."
Ren uncurled himself, once again sitting up to look at his tamer.
"I have tried that once before, but I found it too hot. I prefer this way."
"Uh... hmm. I guess with all that fur... I hadn't really thought of that."
"Yes, my fur does well insulating me from the cold, although it can be slightly uncomfortable in the hottest climates."
"Well, good thing I've got aircon then."