"So, the hands I can almost understand, but how do you magically make a pair of underpants? Like, that's not just part of your body, that's a separate piece of clothing that you can take... uh... you can take them off, right?
Ren made to grab the waistband of his new trunks.
"Of course. Do you need a demonstration?"
"NO!... uh... no thanks. I'll take your word for it."
"Very well. Whilst it may seem strange to you, it is really no different than manifesting attacks. If I have any excess data beyond my base code, I can reformat it to some extent."
"So you can just pull clothes out of thin air?"
"Not exactly. As I said, it relies on having enough excess data, and even then only simple objects. More powerful digimon can create more elaborate designs. You would have seen many other digimon with items of clothing or weapons as part of their appearance. This is the same concept."
"Ok, so you came up with the design for these yourself?"
"I took some inspiration from the pages you had viewed, and my gloves. But yes, I prepared the overall design."
"Huh. They're pretty neat. Just one question if I may?"
"Of course."
"Why'd you put the Yin Yang symbol on your butt?"
"Hmm? This symbol?"
Ren turned around, pointing at the symbol on his left buttock.
"...I thought it would match my gloves. Do you not like it?"
"Yeah, I get why you chose it, but... why there of all places?"
"It seemed appropriate. I saw several pairs on Target that had a similar placement."
"But now everyone's gonna be staring at your butt."
"You are welcome to stare, Tamer. I do not mind."
"REN! Don't be so... promiscuous."
"Well, I-"
The tamer interrupted as he had a sudden realisation.
"Wait... are you actually trying to make me stare?"
"Not specifically. But... I do enjoy your attention."
A perplexed look crossed the tamer's face at Ren's admission.
"Um... really?"
"Yes. I never received much attention until I met you. But you always make the effort to acknowledge me and look after me. It... feels nice to have that."
"Jeez Ren, you didn't have to change your whole appearance just for that. If you want something, you just gotta ask, ok?"
"I know, Tamer. I just..."
Ren seemed to have difficulty finding the words to explain how he felt, so the tamer stepped in.
"You still struggle with asking for stuff you want."
"Yes."
"Look, your appearance is up to you. If you want me to stare, well... mission accomplished. If it doesn't bother you, then I guess that's your choice. Just try not to go around... flaunting yourself to everyone."
"I will keep that in mind."
"Good. I don't need everyone thinking I'm some sort of pervert who forces his digimon to parade himself around like some floozy."
Ren just tilted his head in confusion.
"...although I guess you're more of a himbo."
Ren's head tilted the other way.
"...never mind. Anyway, the reason I called you is I want to move this desk over there. You reckon you can give me a hand?"
"Of course, Tamer. What do you need me to do?"
He pointed to one end of the desk.
"Well, if you can grab that end..."
He then mimed rotating it towards the other wall.
"...then we can swing it around to face the other way."
"I see."
Ren moved towards the end of the desk. As he did, the tamer had an evil thought.
*Thwack*
"AIEE!"
Ren let out a startled yelp, caught completely off guard by the slap on his butt. He turned to stare at his tamer, his expression a mixture of confusion and disbelief.
The tamer was standing there trying to hold in a smirk, acting like nothing had happened and whistling innocently.
"...Tamer?!"
"What? You said you wanted attention."
"Well... yes. But I did not think you would be so... physical about it."
"Uh... sorry. That was a bit..."
The tamer cringed at himself, as the reality of what he'd just done to his digimon set in.
"...damn, that was really perverted, wasn't it? Shit, Ren, I'm sorry. I won't do that again, ok?"
"Well, it was certainly surprising, but somehow... also sort of exciting."
A surprised look crossed the tamer's face, before slowly changing to reluctant
realisation.
"Oh, please don't tell me you actually enjoyed that."
Ren had a sheepish look on his face as he replied.
"I... would not object to more attention."
The tamer covered his face with both hands and groaned.
"Oh great, I've turned my digimon into a masochist."
—
After the incident, there was a bit of awkwardness between the pair. The tamer was still embarrassed with what he had done, and Ren was trying to figure out if he actually enjoyed it or was just really attention-deprived.
Eventually the digimon had gone back to his room, leaving the tamer to reassemble his computer setup on the now-repositioned desk.
It took a while to get it the way he liked, keeping the cables organised and hidden. Eventually he got it to his liking and settled down to play.
—
The tamer was engrossed in a game of Fallout, when he noticed Ren enter from the corner of his eye.
"Hey, Ren."
No response.
He glanced over and noticed Ren was staring at the floor.
"...Rennn?"
It took the digimon a moment to respond.
"Do you... have a moment, Tamer?"
"Yeah... why so shy all of a sudden?"
"You know how you said I should be more open about asking for your attention?"
"Yeah?"
"I was hoping you could... assist me with something."
"Ok... whatcha need?"
"Would you..."
The digimon hesitated.
"What, Ren?"
"It... it is embarrassing."
"Really? More embarrassing than getting a slap on the butt?"
"Well... maybe not quite."
The digimon took a breath.
"...could you... pet my ears?"
The tamer struggled to stifle a laugh, which ended up escaping more as a snort. The digimon gave him an accusing look. He quickly got himself under control.
"Sorry... but did my digital monster partner just ask for an ear rub?"
Ren's gaze quickly returned to the ground in embarrassment, before he mumbled a response.
"Yes."
The tamer was caught off guard when he realised Ren was serious.
"Oh... uh... I didn't know digimon liked that sort of thing."
"Most digimon would not think to ask for something like this. In the digital world, the only physical contact we would experience would be violent..."
"Too busy beating each other up, I guess."
"...I only heard about the idea from another digimon I met whilst exploring once. It is supposed to be... quite enjoyable. Up until recently, I did not have anyone I could ask."
"Well... if you really want to."
"Please?"
"Alright then."
"Petting digimon, who would've thought?"
The tamer stood out of his chair and reached for Ren's left ear. The digimon was still a bit hesitant, but leaned his head down for his tamer.
The tamer gently ran his fingers along the unusually-shaped appendage. Rather than the typical flap of skin, it was more tubular. The short fur was quite soft, almost like velvet.
The ear twitched at the unfamiliar feeling, but settled as the tamer continued stroking.
"...wow, your ear's really soft Ren. Kinda like petting a puppy."
Ren gave a questioning look. The tamer hesitantly withdrew his hand, thinking he might've offended the digimon.
"...uh... sorry. I didn't mean you're like an animal."
"No, I understand. I admit I was almost too proud to ask because of that implication, hence my embarrassment. But I recognise there are... similarities between myself and some of your animals. I imagine many digimons' forms have been influenced by this world over time."
"Uh, I guess so."
"Is it common for humans to pet animals?"
"Oh yeah, most people find it hard to resist anything soft and fluffy. And it can be quite... uh... therapeutic, I guess. Running your fingers through a dog's fur or something like that. It's relaxing."
"Interesting."
"So... how did it feel?"
The digimon took a moment to think about the feeling before responding.
"It... is not unpleasant. But it is not what the other digimon described."
"Hmm..."
The tamer pondered.
"If digimon have taken inspiration from our animals...maybe the ear rubs is part of that. So, what do dogs really enjoy? Maybe..."
"...why don't you come through to the living room and we'll try something a bit different."
"What do you have in mind?"
"Just an idea, you'll see."
"...probably best not to mention I'm gonna treat you like a dog."
He wandered through to the living room, with the digimon following behind.
He took a seat on the couch and gestured for Ren to sit on the floor in front of him.
"Sit yourself down here, Ren, and lean back against the couch."
The digimon came and sat himself on the floor, leaning his back on the couch between his tamer's legs.
"Will this be suitable?"
"Yep, that's fine. Alright, let's try this..."
He placed his hands at the base of Ren's ears and began firmly massaging with his fingertips.
This time Ren had a visible reaction, giving an involuntary shudder and a low groan.
"Ohhh..."
"Heh... I think we hit the spot this time."
It took Ren a moment to realise his tamer had spoken.
"What did you say, Tamer?"
"My point exactly."
"I said I think we found the right spot this time."
"Ye... yes, I think you did."
The tamer kept messaging, adding a bit more pressure. He kept one hand massaging under Ren's right ear, while working the fingertips on the other across Ren's scalp.
"Mmmmm..."
The digimon started leaning his head to the right, pushing into the tamer's hand. It got to the point Ren was about to fall over, if not for the hand holding his head up.
They sat like that for a good few minutes, the tamer just letting his digimon enjoy the feeling as he continued massaging.
It eventually came to an end, with the tamer needing to give his fingers a break. He slowly withdrew his hands, leaving Ren sitting there lopsided and dazed.
"Oh man, sore fingers. I take it that was worth the embarrassment of asking, Ren?"
Ren was in such a stupor he didn't pay any attention to the tamer's question.
"...uh, Ren? Hello in there, is anybody home?"
He gave the digimon's shoulder a nudge.
Given Ren's dazed state, the force was enough to send him toppling over. He fell sideways onto the carpeted floor, finally snapping back to reality.
"Wuh?"
The tamer couldn't help but laugh at his digimon's befuddled state.
"Ha ha ha... oh man, look at you Ren."
The digimon slowly leaned his head up to regard his tamer.
"Tamer... that... I have never felt anything like that."
"Yeah, you certainly seemed to enjoy yourself. You were totally zoned out there."
"Yes, I did lose myself for a moment. Thank you for helping me experience that."
"No worries, I'm glad to find something you enjoy."
"Very much so..."
The digimon gave his tamer a sheepish look.
"...more?"
The tamer rolled his eyes and gave a sigh.
"Alright, you big softie."
The digimon was sitting back upright in a flash.