Chapter Text
Fubuki sighed, lost in thought, as he leaned against the fence of the Beigoma Academy rooftop, looking down over the schoolyard. The sun was setting over the school, coloring the world in a mix of orange, yellow, and red. He could see that everyone else had gone home - no one would stay at school for this long, except Aiga, who had pretty much made the little animal farm his home.
“You’re pathetic when you pretend to act like a captain.”
“Abandon your pride.”
Fubuki’s fists clenched, Suoh’s voice had been playing through his mind like a broken record all day long. He just...didn’t want to believe it. He didn’t want to believe that he was losing one of his only friends. Fubuki also didn’t want to accept that Suoh was...right about him.
Suoh was right about everything.
Fubuki was weak, that’s all there was to it.
He was a fake, his serious front as a captain was just a facade, Suoh knew that better than anyone. Suoh had seen Fubuki at his worst, he had listened to Fubuki venting about the pressure, he had watched Fubuki lose and lose and lose...and now Suoh had surpassed him. Suoh had wiped the floor with Fubuki, spat on his pride, and left him.
It hurt. Suoh had told Fubuki that he was going to lose, he basically said that Fubuki was nothing to him anymore...after everything they’d been through together, Suoh decided to abandon him. This betrayal hurt even more than the loss. Fubuki...wanted his friend back. Even after everything Suoh had said to him, after defeating him, after rejecting his offers to keep being friends...Fubuki still wanted to connect with Suoh.
Or, is that just an excuse, because deep down? You really, really, REALLY hate him right now.
Fubuki flinched at his thoughts. His hands clenched into fists, and he had to exercise an extreme amount of self restraint to keep from hitting the chain-link fence. The anger boiled and bubbled in his chest. I don’t hate him. I could never hate Suoh, he…
He used you, he abandoned you. You do hate him, just admit it!
“Shut up!” Fubuki snapped, bringing his hands to the sides of his head. He pulled at his hair, just wanting his dumb, stupid, irrational thoughts to shut up and leave him alone. He stood there, his hands and shoulders trembling, and Fubuki felt his eyes begin to sting. He was just...so tired. Fubuki fell against the bench, head in his hands. It was starting to ache. The lump in his throat was getting harder to swallow. Fubuki didn’t want to cry. He shouldn’t be crying over a loss! Everyone lost sometimes, that was just part of blading! So why…?!
You don’t care that you lost, you’re hurt because of him.
“Damn it…” Fubuki whispered, refusing to let the first tears fall. He jumped when a sudden vibration came from his pocket, and Fubuki took out his phone, startled. He read the caller ID.
Shu...isn’t it late in America? Why is he calling me now?
His thumb pressed the ‘accept call’ button, and Fubuki held the device to his ear.
“Hello…?” He asked, wincing at how torn up his voice sounded.
“Fubuki.” Shu’s calm, mature voice came from the other end of the line. “Sorry about your Longinus Cup match.”
Ah...so that’s what he’s calling about. Of course he was watching.
“I don’t even know why I lost…” Fubuki said. Maybe, if he hadn’t, then...Suoh would still want to train with him.
“Fubuki.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t lose hope. There’s nothing to worry about. Don’t stop. Keep moving forward.”
“Shu-san, I-”
“Hold on.” Shu cut him off, and Fubuki abruptly stopped talking. “Leave Japan, Fubuki.”
“What are you saying? Shu-san...why?” Fubuki asked, lifting his head in surprise.
“Come live with me, in America. It’s been a while since we’ve met up. I want to show you something.” Shu explained, and Fubuki could almost envision the soft smile on Shu’s face.
“I...I’m going to have to decline.” Fubuki said. He couldn’t just…leave! What about his studies, and the club? Who would be their captain? Plus, there was no way his aunt and uncle would ever let him leave the country! “There’s just no way that’s possible! I still have the BeyClub, and my studies-”
“I know.” Shu said. Fubuki fell silent. “That’s partially why I’m asking you.”
“Huh?!”
Shu was...an amazing guy. He had become like family to Fubuki. Showing him strength, care, teaching him how to blade. But sometimes? The things Shu said and did just straight up confused Fubuki. Like right now. How could Shu expect him to just leave Japan in the middle of the semester?
“Fubuki...you must be stressed. Am I wrong?”
Fubuki didn’t answer. Shu was right. Fubuki had been stressed out of his mind, and Suoh’s recent admissions had nearly pushed him to his breaking point. He held his breath, unsure how to respond.
“I thought so.” Shu continued, “I have my reasons why I want you to leave Japan, Fubuki, but I can’t show them to you yet. You can come stay in my apartment, with me.”
“...What will my aunt and uncle say? I can’t just leave without their permission…” Fubuki said, having a feeling that his excuse was pretty weak.
“I’ve talked to them, already. I may have said that this was an educational thing more than a vacation for you.”
“YOU WHAT?!” Fubuki jumped to his feet with a loud gasp. “You just- you LIED to them?! And how did you even-?! Oh my god…you can’t just...no! No!”
“That reaction is exactly why I’m doing this.” Fubuki’s eyes widened, and he stopped. Shu sounded...worried now. “You’re so tense lately, Fubuki. I’m worried about you.”
Fubuki fell back down against the bench, shaking his head.
“There’s no need for worry...I’m alright. I mean, thank you, but...still. You shouldn’t be concerned for me.”
“Shouldn’t I?” Shu responded. Fubuki said nothing. “You’re repressing, Fubuki, and that’s not a good thing. Holding back how you feel...it’s only a matter of time before it explodes. Let me ask you this, and answer me honestly. Do you want to come to America, and stay with me for a while?”
Fubuki took a few minutes to answer, as he considered what Shu said. Shu was asking Fubuki what he wanted, and only that...Fubuki’s heart jumped as he realized that, yes, he did want to go. He really, really wanted this. He sighed, nodded his head, and responded, “I would like that.”
“Then, it’s settled. Don’t worry about the costs - I’ll send you your plane ticket soon. You’ll fly out after the finals of the Longinus Cup. I know you’d want to see it out until the end.” Fubuki could hear the smile on Shu’s face, and he immediately began wondering if he made the right choice. There was no turning back now, though, and Fubuki just had to go along with it.
“Thanks, Shu-san...I’ll see you soon.”
“Goodbye, Fubuki.”
The call ended, and Fubuki stared down at his phone, breathing out a heavy sigh. How was he going to tell the others? And he had to choose a replacement captain while he was away...though, Fubuki already had someone in mind for that position. He looked up at the sunset that bathed the rooftop in a golden light. It was about time he got home, anyways.
-
The plane ride was painfully long. Thirteen hours from Japan to America in one sitting was no joke. Fubuki stared out the window with his head resting in his palm - the sun was almost fully set, and Fubuki was awfully tired, but he was also too wrapped up to get any proper rest. The plane’s staff had been incredibly kind to him, seeing as he was flying alone. Thank goodness his aunt and uncle had bought Shu’s excuse of this being for education.
“Passengers, the plane is about to descend to the New York International Airport. Please return to your seats and make sure your seatbelt is securely fastened. Thank you for flying with us.”
Fubuki sat upright, watching the plane descend onto the runway. He had finally arrived - Shu said that he’d be waiting at the terminal, Fubuki just had to grab his stuff and meet with his mentor. He was completely exhausted from his traveling, and Fubuki was just ready to go to bed. He wondered what America was like - he’d seen New York from the sky, but Fubuki had no idea what it was like up close. He pulled his bag from the cabinets above the seats, moving with the crowd to get off the plane and into the airport. After getting the rest of his luggage, Fubuki began looking for the familiar sight of Shu. The airport was so busy, Fubuki finding it a little confusing to navigate. Airports sort of stressed him out. This was all so nerve wracking, being in a new country that just seemed so big. Beigoma was a small town, and Fubuki had never left Japan in his life.
“Fubuki, over here.” Fubuki’s head turned when he heard a familiar voice. He caught sight of white hair and a black coat - Shu! He ran towards the older blader, a soft smile forming on his face. “I’m glad you arrived safely.”
“Yeah, I made it.” Fubuki said, dragging his bags behind him. “I’m happy to see you, Shu-san.”
Shu smiled, laying a hand on Fubuki’s shoulder. “Would you like help with your stuff? The bus stop isn’t far, but we’ll still have to walk a bit to make it to my apartment.”
“It’s alright.” Fubuki said - he didn’t want to bother Shu with anything unnecessary. “Thank you, though.”
Shu nodded, then motioned for Fubuki to follow him. “Come on, this way.” He guided Fubuki towards the exit of the airport, and when they stepped outside, Fubuki couldn’t help but gasp at how huge everything was.
“It’s...it’s so big!” Fubuki looked around them, taking in all the sights. Skyscrapers that seemed to reach into space, lights from all over reflecting against the windows of each building. Even the sky was tinted golden. The streets were still so busy, even though it had started to get dark, people were still walking about seemingly without a care in the world. It was absolutely crazy, and stunningly beautiful. You would never see anything like this back in Beigoma. Fubuki was mesmerized by the city. “And you’ve lived here for so long…”
Shu was watching Fubuki with a fond smile on his face. His apprentice’s amazement made Shu extremely glad he decided to go through with this - maybe he could start to help Fubuki heal a little.
“It’s beautiful at night, isn’t it? The bus is waiting. Let’s go.” Shu said. Fubuki nodded, trailing after Shu. They finally left the airport, taking the bus towards the outskirts of the city. Shu’s apartment was along the outer edges of Manhattan. Fubuki stared out the window, watching the other cars and lights pass them by. He was starting to feel the effects of jet lag and exhaustion hitting hard. The bus ride took around a half hour - the streets were extremely loud. People were aggressive drivers in New York, damn. It hadn’t even been five seconds before Fubuki heard honking and tires screeching.
“We have to walk a little to make it there. Are you up for this?” Shu asked. Fubuki was having a hard time holding his eyes open.
“Yes, Shu-san…” Fubuki yawned - it was impossible to hide how tired he was.
“No need to be so formal.” Shu smiled, shaking his head. “It’s not too far.” Shu still put an arm around Fubuki’s shoulders, just so he didn’t completely fall over. Fubuki was barely comprehending the world around him when they arrived at Shu’s apartment - Fubuki had never been this tired in his life. Shu unlocked the door, allowing them both inside. He took Fubuki’s bags from him, leading the young blonde to a separate bedroom.
“This is your room. Mine is right down the hall, so you can come wake me if you need something.” Shu said, nodding towards the door on the left. “The bathroom is over there.” He then pointed to another door, across the hallway from their bedrooms. “I’m leaving your stuff here. You must be tired, Fubuki.”
“I’m ex…” Fubuki began, cut off by a large yawn. “Exhausted…”
Shu smiled at him fondly, patting him gently on the back. “Go ahead and get some rest, then. I’ll see you in the morning - you’ve had a long day.”
“Good night, Shu-san…” Fubuki would yawn again, not bothering to change from his normal clothes. He at least took his shoes off, leaving them by the bed. Fubuki pulled back the blankets and laid down. As soon as Fubuki’s head hit the pillows, he was out. Shu would watch him sleep for a few moments, making sure he was alright before turning out the lights in the room.
“Night, Fubuki.” Shu said, softly closing the door behind him. He retreated to his own room, already planning what they’d do while Fubuki was staying with him in America. Shu sat down on his bed, throwing his coat over the desk chair, and changing into his night clothes. First, there was the matter of helping Fubuki manage his stress. Shu had been suspecting something was going on with Fubuki due to their recent texts, and the call a few days ago before Fubuki arrived confirmed most of his suspicions. Second, there was the matter of getting Fubuki to actually speak to Shu about what was going on. Despite training together for a while, Shu rarely heard about Fubuki’s problems. He cared about his apprentice, and he wanted Fubuki to trust him with things...but how would he get Fubuki relaxed enough in order to say something? Fubuki was bottling his feelings up, and it could not be good. Shu sensed that the poor boy was already close enough to a meltdown. More stress on his shoulders would not be ideal. That was the main reason Shu brought Fubuki here - to spend time with him, and let Fubuki just be a kid. It was what he deserved...Fubuki had so much to handle already, and it wasn’t good that Shu could only sit by and watch him get crushed. That was why Shu had to take action. He would make Fubuki feel as welcome and happy as possible...it was all for his sake.
Shu loved Fubuki like his family. Family wouldn’t be left behind.