Gathering
Ren slowly got used to the sight of more Digimon, though they couldn’t fight a fleeting sense of excitement. Along the way they rekindled the joy of hanging out with Maria. It was like growing up with her again, albeit as two grown adults. In this realm they had gone through trial and trauma together. More than simply ‘bonded’ by whatever means this reality dictated, they were truly siblings just like in other realms.
Wednesday came, and in the same hour patrol ended Maria and Ren drove to a local restaurant where their friends and former combat buddies were waiting. They were greeted gaily, especially by Ren’s fellow Digimon who acted more like children. There was Dave’s Guilmon, plus Terriermon, the squat little tike with black, beady eyes and ears that dragged the floor. They squealed like banshees upon seeing their old friend and swarmed Ren and Maria for some hugs which Ren returned, if reluctantly to maintain their stony persona. The younger looking Digimon were given a table of their own where their ravenous appetites would not interfere with the Ren and the tamers’ much more relaxed eating habits.
Maria’s parents showed up last. Maria stood up to give them a hug. Ren did so too out of habit. That garnered a hoot from their dad. “Oh! Getting up to hug us first, huh?”
It was just a friendly quip, exactly like Jared’s dad was known for, but it made Ren feel like a bastard. “I’ve been in a good mood recently.”
“Aw, I’m glad.” Then the pair that had once been father and son shared a bone-popping hug.
Their mother had to squeeze herself in. “Don’t hog them! Let me get some love.”
Written by TheGreatJaceyGee on 25 December 2025
