#koukeru

Takeru stared into the room as the doors opened.

Takeru wasn't surprised by the sight, he's seen it enough times to know it by heart.

Takeru walked into the room, hearing the doors closing automatically behind him. Takeru surveyed the room, a little annoyed with how much he would have to clean.

He wasn't even greeted when he came in. Well, not greeted by the human in the room.

"Takeru, welcome". Takeru looked away from the mess, looking at the bug Digimon that floated in front of him. "Hey, Tentomon", Takeru greeted. Takeru walked over to the couches, placing the bag of food he had brought down on what little table space there was.

The rest of the table was covered in trash.

Old bottles, bags of food and takeout containers, and a bunch of other trash. At least the couches were clean, and Takeru assumed that was the doing of the Digimon in the room. The table and floors however, had trash dotted everywhere.

Paper balls covered the floor, more bottles and bags of eaten food Takeru had to kick out of his way as he made his way to the desk.

Just as Takeru expected, Koushiro was completely asleep at his desk.

His head was against his keyboard, causing a bunch of non-sense to be writing on the screen. His arms were just laying on his desk, surrounded by empty bottles and bags of food. Koushiro was snoring slightly, drool escaping past his lips as he slept.

Takeru rolled his eyes, even after months Koushiro still acted like this.

There wasn't even any problems with the Digital World now. With Gennai no longer evil, Yggdrasill shut down, and Daisuke and the others safe with their partners back, the Digital World has been pretty calm.

Still, it seemed Koushiro overworked himself and lost himself in his work. Takeru knew Koushiro was trying to help his friend start up this company, but Takeru also knew that he was also probably still dealing with Digital World things on the side.

Leading to this sight before Takeru's eyes.

Koushiro overworked since he never takes a break, falling asleep at his desk and forgetting to take care of himself or his space.

Takeru walked back over to the bag, where Tentomon had taken out some snacks for themselves. Takeru was sure Tentomon skipped out on eating to make sure Koushiro did, so Takeru let them enjoy the food as he grabbed a bottle of oolong tea for Koushiro.

Takeru walked back over to the desk, standing behind it by Koushiro's side. "Ooohh, Koushiro", Takeru said, dragging out both of the words. "Look what I got for you", Takeru continued, pressing the bottle of tea against Koushiro's cheek. Koushiro just moaned in his sleep, turning his head so he was facing away from Takeru.

Takeru just continued to press the bottle against Koushiro's head. "Wakey wakey, earth to Koushiro". Takeru shook the bottle, and after a few more moments of pressing the bottle against Koushiro's head, he started to wake. Takeru pulled the bottle away, leaning on Koushiro's desk as the other boy slowly woke up.

Koushiro turned his head to the side, blinking his eyes open as he focused on the blonde boy next to him. "Takeru?" Koushiro's voice was rough from sleep, and probably from not speaking to anyone for who knows how long.

"Hey, I brought you something", Takeru said, shaking the bottle of tea. Koushiro's eyes widened with excitement, and he handed Koushiro the bottle. Koushiro immediately started drinking it, and Takeru used the opportunity to pick up the trash and clean off Koushiro's desk from all of the trash.

Koushiro finished the tea in seconds, and Takeru was kinda impressed by it. However, Koushiro just placed the empty bottle on the his desk, going back to whatever he was working on.

Takeru sighed, "you should take a break". Takeru took out the trash bag, closing it off and putting it in a corner to take it out later. Takeru grabbed a spare bag he had gotten from Ai Mart, using it to slowly pick up all the trash on the table and floor.

"I can't", Koushiro said, giving no reason for what or why he was working so hard. "You can", Takeru pointed out. Whatever it was Koushiro was working on, it wasn't so important that Koushiro had to do this to himself.

It wasn't healthy, forgetting to eat and drink, leaving trash everywhere, working every waking and non-waking hour of the day. The bags under Koushiro's eyes didn't go unnoticed by Takeru. As well as the pale skin and skinner build.

"Takeru is right, Koushiro, you have been working for a long time", Tentomon agreed. Takeru had kinda forgotten Tentomon was here, but he looked over at the bug Digimon to see them fly over to Koushiro and sit on his desk. "I can't, I have to finish this", Koushiro stood his ground.

Takeru placed the trash bag on the now clean table, watching Koushiro as he worked. His back hunched, eyes tired, fingers speedily moving over the keys. Koushiro needed a break.

If this kept going on he could hurt himself, or his work wouldn't be good and he'd just have to go through this all over again. It wasn't healthy, and Takeru didn't like seeing his friend basically work himself to death.

Takeru walked over to the desk again, standing behind the computer monitors.

Koushiro looked up at Takeru, but quickly went back to whatever he was doing.

"You'd be able to work better if you took a rest", Takeru pointed out. Koushiro didn't do anything, not making a peep. "Can't work if you keep passing out", Takeru pushed, laying his arms over the monitors.

"Looks like your about to pass out again right now".

Koushiro looked up at Takeru, and from the way Koushiro's eyes were unfocused and his body slumped forward, Takeru was right.

Koushiro looked down at the keyboard, saying nothing to fight Takeru's words. "Koushiro", Tentomon said, voice full of concern for their partner. Koushiro looked over at Tentomon, meeting his partners large green eyes. "You should rest, it is the smart choice", Tentomon said, trying to convince their partner to rest like Takeru was.

Koushiro hummed, before pushing his seat away and getting up.

"Ah, so you agree", Takeru said, taking his arms off the monitors and cheering at his victory in his head. Koushiro walked around the desk, "Yes, and I have decided it is best not argue with the two of you", Koushiro explained.

"I just want what is best for you, Koushiro", Tentomon said, flying over to join Koushiro as he sat down on one of the couches.

"Me too", Takeru agreed, turning around to face Koushiro.

Of course Takeru cared about Koushiro, they were friends and Koushiro often helped Takeru with his school work because of how smart he was. Koushiro was also a nice person to talk to.

He listened well, and despite what the others said, he was a good person to talk to as he often just listened. Koushiro was also one of the few people that didn't treat Takeru like a kid, even when they first met.

Takeru didn't want something bad to happen to Koushiro, it was why he was one of the people that volunteered to even come here and check up on Koushiro.

Takeru really looked up to Koushiro, not that he'd ever admit to the other boy, but he did. Takeru couldn't let these bad habits continue, so he needed to help Koushiro get over them.

Takeru didn't exactly know why Koushiro was like this, but he didn't care because that wouldn't change the fact Takeru was going to help him.

Koushiro looked up at Takeru, "I know you only want what is best for me", Koushiro responded to Takeru's statement.

"But Hikari has informed me that you can be quite stubborn at times".

"What?"

Takeru would have to talk to Hikari about this, he was not stubborn, no way no how.

Takeru saw Koushiro start to lean to the side, and he walked over to him and placed his hand on Koushiro's shoulder. "Take a nap, I'll wake ya before I leave", Takeru told him. "You are staying?" Koushiro asked. Takeru nodded, taking his hand off Koushiro's shoulders and spreading his arms out to gesture to the entire room.

"Who do you think will clean this place?" Takeru asked.

Koushiro looked around, before looking back at Takeru. "Thank you". "No problem, now rest". Takeru watched as Koushiro moved to lay down, resting his head on the pillow and falling asleep within seconds, his snores being the only noise.

Takeru shook his head, a soft smile on his face.

Just what he expected.

"Thank you, Takeru". Takeru looked over at Tentomon, who was getting comfortable on the arm rest closest to Koushiro's head. "Koushiro has been working for days, I have not been able to get him to rest", Tentomon explained.

Takeru just waved his hand at the Digimon, moving to sit down on the couch. "It's nothing", he said. It really was nothing, Koushiro was Takeru's friend and he looked up to the older boy, so of course he was going to help him.

It was the least Takeru could do to repay the other bot after all he's done for him, for believing in him and having hope even when he didn't.

Takeru really valued Koushiro as a friend, as a mentor, so of course he was going to help him whenever and however he could.

Takeru took a snack from the bag, taking a bite out of it. Tentomon settled down fully and seemed to fall asleep near their partner, filling the office space with their snores.

Like partner, like Digimon.

Takeru looked around, it was still dirty, and Takeru was kinda annoyed he was going to clean this place just for to get dirty again.

Well, someone else would come and clean it in a few days, but soon Takeru would be back and clean it himself. Finding Koushiro half dead behind his computer refusing to rest as he worked on who knows what.

This was a really bad habit of Koushiro's, but Takeru would help.

Takeru valued his friendship with him, the way Koushiro helped and guided him. The best way to repay that, was helping him get rid of these bad habits. Even if it meant spending who knows how many hours cleaning and cleaning.

Takeru groaned, getting up from the couch and throwing his trash in the bag with the rest.

Takeru's done this before, and he didn't entirely mind doing it again if it meant Koushiro would finally take care of himself.

Yet, something told Takeru this wouldn't stop anytime soon anyway.

The trash everywhere, the forgetting to eat and drink, wasting away from not moving or caring for yourself, the dead eyes and zombie like state, he's seen it before and Takeru knew he was doing to see it again.

It was what Takeru had to do to help Koushiro, to help him as he's helped Takeru, but that didn't mean Takeru had to like it. Well, it didn't matter if he liked it, because Takeru had an idea he would be doing this for years to come.

So he might as well get used to it.

- - - - - - -

Takeru's seen this before.

Deja vu is normally a feeling where something completely new suddenly feels familiar, despite the very very high chance it has never happened before.

Takeru was getting that feeling, but he was very very sure that he's seen this before.

A dirty room, trash on everything it could be on.

Empty bottles, empty bags of food, balls of paper, and take out containers everywhere Takeru looked. It wasn't as messy as Takeru's seen before, at least all of the trash were around the two trash cans in the room. There wasn't even that much of a mess, but enough for Takeru to know that someone has been working way too long.

Takeru entered the room, and he was long used to no greeting from the human that was in it.

"Takeru!" Takeru looked down at the ground, smiling down at Armadimon as they smiled up at Takeru. "Hey, Armadimon", Takeru greeted. "How's Iori?" Takeru asked, even though he knew the answer to that question.

"Iori hasn't done anything for sooooo long, and I'm worried", Armadimon answered. Armadimon turned away from Takeru, and Takeru followed the Digimon's eyes. Iori was sitting at his desk, a small table that was off in a corner of his room.

He was hunched over his desk, fingers hastily moving across the keys as his eyes were locked onto the screen. Takeru saw many papers thrown on the desk, some had even falling on the floor.

There was no mess on the desk besides the papers, and Takeru was quite impressed that Iori had managed to keep everything clean when he seemed so engrossed in his work.

Takeru placed the bag he was holding down on the floor, allowing the Digimon to ravage it as they quickly found some food. Takeru took the opportunity to walk over to the desk, bending down so he could get a good look at Iori's face.

Takeru saw just what he expected too.

Noticeable bags under his eyes, which were also unfocused and droopy. Back was hunched over and skin was noticeable pale. At least Iori didn't look that much skinner than he did last time Takeru saw him.

However, Iori didn't even noticed Takeru was standing next to him.

"Iori", Takeru said in a sing-song voice, slowly waving his hand in front of Iori. Iori blinked, shaking his head as he leaned up. "Takeru?" He said, not even having to look over to know it was his partner.

"So you can acknowledge me", Takeru joked.

Takeru turned back around, leaning down to pick up a bottle of green tea from the bag Armadimon currently had half of their body in. Takeru silently handed the bottle to Iori, and he thanked Takeru before drinking it.

Takeru went to clean up Iori's room, pushing the trash down the can so he could put the trash that was around it into the can. Takeru might have to grab another trash bag, but there wasn't that much of a mess so this shouldn't take him that long.

"Sooo, whatcha doing?" Takeru asked. Iori placed the bottle down, "some homework, and there was something I need to research for my internship", he answered.

Takeru nodded, Iori has been pretty busy with studying, and work, and his internship. All a part of the process of Iori becoming a lawyer, but Takeru would be lying if he said he wasn't concerned for his partner.

This wasn't the first time Takeru's come here to Iori's apartment to see him working away for what looked like hours at a time.

This wasn't the first time Takeru's dealt with something like this, he has experience.

"You know, you'd be able to work better if you took a break", Takeru said. Takeru surveyed the room, there no more trash on the floor, just a couple bottles on the desk and the papers on the floor that Iori did not seem to notice. Takeru walked over to the desk, carefully removing the empty bottles as Iori's fingers kept moving across the key bored.

Iori shook his head, "I have to finish this by end of day tomorrow". "So, finished it tomorrow and take a break now", Takeru threw the bottles into the trash, cheering himself as he made the basket. "Yeah, Iori", Armadimon ran over to their partner, standing up on their hind legs to place their front claws on Iori's leg.

"You've been working since morning".

"Morning?" Takeru yelled.

It was the evening for crying out loud, Takeru came here right after his classes ended. How long has Iori working without a break?

Takeru sighed, putting his hands on his hips as he stared disappointedly down at Iori.

"You need to take a break", Takeru told Iori. Iori just shook his head again, "I am fine, I can still work", Iori stood his ground. Takeru leaned down, taking another notice of Iori's unfocused eyes and slow body movements.

Takeru didn't even need that to tell that Iori was clearly tired, he could feel it in his heart.

"I thought you didn't like lying?" Takeru asked. Iori stopped his typing, slowly moving his head over to look at Takeru. Takeru could see the tiredness in Iori's eyes. "Plus, you know you can't lie to me", Takeru added, leaning back up. Iori said nothing, knowing he couldn't argue with what Takeru was saying.

Takeru moved his hand to place it on Iori's shoulder. "You know taking a break will help you in the long run", Takeru said. "You're smart, Iori, everything will be fine and I know you'll be able to achieve your dream", Takeru told Iori. "Yeah! You can do it, Iori!" Armadimon agreed. "But only if you rest", Takeru finished.

Iori looked at both of his partners, before looking back at the computer screen, his fingers flexing as if wanted to start typing again. Takeru wasn't surprised, Iori has become a lot like Koushiro in recent years.

Ever since he decided to become a defense attorney, starting his studying and even getting an internship at a nearby law firm, he's had a lot of work to do.

Takeru was proud of Iori, so proud.

He's changed so much, grown so much since they first met, and he was only going to grow more. Takeru was happy to be by Iori's side to see it, but he was also concerned that Iori was working himself too much.

Just like Koushiro used to be, he overworked himself and forgot to care for himself, forgoing sleep and not cleaning his room or himself.

Koushiro was better now, at least more than he was years ago, but it seems Iori has picked up his bad habits.

Takeru was concerned about Iori. Seeing his partner like this made his heart hurt. Iori was clearly tired, but Takeru knew that he was determined to do this. Determined to get a good reputation, to help people, to live up to the name of his father.

Takeru knew Iori could do it, he could do anything, but Iori was trying to prove it to himself.

Takeru wanted to help, he cared about Iori more than anyone he knew. Iori had the other half of his heart, they were partners, and Iori has helped Takeru so much and in so many ways.

Iori's helped Takeru get over all his pain, open up more to his friends, and has been by Takeru's side for years and will always be by his side. Iori was the first one to see through Takeru's mask, and he gave Takeru a safe space to open up about his fears and pain. Iori knew Takeru better than anyone, and he's helped Takeru heal more than anyone he knew.

Iori was Takeru's partner, and he's helped Takeru oh so much over the years.

So Takeru would help him with his problems as well. Takeru helped Koushiro, and while he and Iori were different when it came to their bad habits, Takeru knew what to do to snap both of them out of it.

"Everything will be fine, but you should take a break so you can work even better!" Takeru pushed, trying to get Iori to agree. Iori looked back over at Takeru, and Takeru moved his hand to lay it on Iori's cheek for a moment.. Iori sighed, and Takeru praised himself internally as Iori got up from his seat.

"You are right, I shall rest", Iori agreed.

"Yeah!" Takeru and Armadimon cheered.

Iori showed them a small smile, before he walked over to his bed and sat down. Iori was already in house clothes, so all he needed to do was remove his slippers before laying down. Armadimon jumped on the bed, curling themselves close to Iori's chest as Iori wrapped his arms around his partner.

Takeru grabbed a spare blanket and laid it over Iori, making sure he was comfortable. Iori yawned, closing his eyes as he slowly fell asleep. Takeru got ready to move away, but Iori's hand moved towards his, which was still holding part of the blanket.

Takeru moved his hand so it was laying on top of Iori's, holding it there for a few moments to silently tell Iori he wasn't leaving just yet.

Takeru pulled his hand away soon, looking around the room once again. Takeru thought he had escaped cleaning a room just for it to get dirty again. At least Iori never let his room get as dirty as Koushiro's, he has more discipline when it comes to that, but they both got caught up in their work way to much.

Takeru wasn't surprised, Iori and Koushiro were a lot alike in that regard. Always wanting to prove themselves, getting caught up in work to help others anyway they could. Neglecting their own health to help others.

Years ago, Takeru had said Iori was like Koushiro because they were both curious, and while Takeru still stood by those words, it seemed like they were even more similar.

For different reasons, for bad reasons. It was admirable, how much effort they put towards their crafts, but that didn't mean Takeru liked the fact that they did it.

They were both important to Takeru, so he would help them.

Takeru sighed as he moved to sit at Iori's desk, picking up the papers that had fallen off it and placing them back on it. Takeru than sat down on the chair, closing Iori's laptop so it could have a break too.

After saving the work he was doing, Takeru didn't want Iori to do this again to redo the work. There wasn't anything else Takeru had to clean, so Takeru just looked over at Iori, watching him as he slept.

Takeru had thought he had finished with this, but it seemed he wasn't going to be able to escape this.

Koushiro had gotten better, and Takeru knew Iori would as well, but than he would become a defense attorney and have even more work and Takeru, as his partner, would be in his life forever and he would take care of him.

Not that Takeru cared, he would do anything for his partner.

Takeru cared Iori more than anyone in his life, and Iori helped Takeru so much that Takeru had to return the favor anyway he could. He would help Iori just like he helped Koushiro.

Because he cared about him just as much as he did Koushiro, cared about them in different ways, but still cared.

So Takeru would help Iori, even if it meant having to deal with the dirty room, dead eyes, slumped body, tiredness and forgetting to care for themselves, and stubbornness when it came to working.