Chapter Text
Judai had first observed the unique practice after he dueled Johan in class one time.
The Gem Beast duelist had won the round, and the teal-haired boy smiled brightly after his victory. Even though Judai lost this time, Johan’s smile was infectious and he couldn’t help finding himself smiling in return. However, Judai’s expression turned into one of bewilderment when Johan discreetly brought his duel disk up and he gave a small, quick kiss to his Gem Beast deck, after which he seemed to murmur something that Judai couldn’t hear. The action had been so fleeting that it would be easy to miss, and right afterwards, Johan sprinted across the arena to shake Judai’s hand.
Since then, Judai couldn’t help but notice that Johan did this occasionally and the adoration in his expression each time made Judai’s chest feel tight for some reason.
During lunch break one day, Judai found himself pondering the action as he lounged at a table, procrastinating on doing his homework. The transfer students had all been called to the headmaster’s office to go over some particulars regarding their stay, so Judai was surrounded by his usual friend group. Everyone was used to Judai daydreaming, so they didn’t pay him much mind.
Eventually though, Judai called out to get their attention as he chewed absently on the end of his pencil, “Hey, guys, can I ask you something?”
Sho regarded his friend right away.
“Yeah, of course, Aniki!” The smaller duelist piped up, “Is it about the calculations on the fourth question? I figured that one might stump you a bit.”
“No, I don’t care about that.” Judai waved his hand and continued to stare upwards. “I was just wondering…when someone gives a kiss, what does that mean?”
Manjoume nearly spit out some of the water that he had been sipping. “W-What?”
“Ah, has our dear Judai had his first kiss taken from him?” Fubuki chimed in, looking terribly interested.
“Uhm, no?” Judai grinned awkwardly. “But lately, I’ve been thinking that the gesture seems kind of nice.”
The table was silent as everyone processed that unexpected statement. Eventually, Manjoume brought a hand up to his nose and pinched at the bridge.
“Hold on, don’t tell me you’re wanting to kiss somebody?” The duelist couldn’t help but ask. His dark grey eyes looked mildly shocked, but his expression also betrayed a genuine interest. “I didn’t think you were even capable of being curious about things like that.”
Judai pondered seriously, oblivious to how everyone at the table was holding their breath waiting to hear what he’d say.
“Well, right now I mostly just want to figure out what people are trying to express when they do that.” Judai rubbed at the back of his neck. “I never really thought about it before.”
The majority of the table still appeared to be stunned, but Fubuki crossed his arms and nodded, smiling.
“Kisses can mean all kinds of things to different people.” He began, “But I’d say it’s typically a type of affection you’d only share with someone you care deeply about.”
Judai mulled over that answer, “Well, I care about my deck a whole lot, and I don’t ever feel like kissing it…”
“Yeah, because that would be really weird!” Kenzan laughed.
Asuka tried to explain better, “I know you can see spirits so maybe it’s a bit different, but kisses are usually something done between people.” She flushed a light pink, “If I ever saw someone actually kissing their deck, I’d be a little embarrassed for them. It’d be pretty unusual.”
Judai thought of Johan’s face and the warm expression the other had whenever he did that. Judai clenched his fists.
“It’s not weird!” Judai began before raising his voice slightly, sounding defensive, “And I don’t really think it’s anything to be embarrassed of either!”
Asuka looked mildly shaken, startled by the rather passionate response.
“Hey, why are you so upset?” Manjoume quickly accused, eyebrows furrowing. “Like you just said, you don’t ever feel like kissing your deck anyway so why are you being so testy about it?”
“I-I just…” Judai didn’t look annoyed anymore, only confused and then nervous, “Actually, you know what, never mind!” He tried to laugh as he stood, “Sorry about that. You can forget I asked...Umm, I have to go grab something before lunch is over so I'll see you guys later!”
Without waiting for a response from anyone else, Judai hurriedly sprinted off.
“What was that about…?” Asuka asked worriedly and everyone just shrugged or shook their heads, also unsure what to make of the surprising outburst.
--
Were Johan’s lips always so pink?
Judai assumed that they must have been, but he couldn’t be sure because he only started noticing this somewhat distracting detail over the past few days. As the two of them sat side by side, going over deck builds on the balcony at the Osiris Red dorm, his brown eyes couldn’t help but keep stealing glances.
Johan seemed to notice the other was preoccupied and he put down his cards, “Is there something on your mind, Judai?”
“Oh, uh…”
Judai scratched at his nose lightly as he looked away and stared out instead at the ocean in front of them. The sun was shining brightly, and it caused the water to glimmer in a captivating way. The soothing sight centered him as Judai tried to organize his thoughts. Ultimately, he always felt like he could talk to Johan about anything, and Judai figured maybe that’s the approach he should have just taken in the first place.
He turned back to face questioning green eyes. “Well, I guess I’ve been wondering why you give a kiss to your deck after a duel sometimes?”
“You noticed?” Johan seemed a bit embarrassed, but he still smiled. “It’s probably kinda weird, huh?”
“No, I don’t think it’s weird!” Judai said quickly and truthfully, “But I’ve never seen anyone else do it, so I was just curious why you do.”
Ruby Carbuncle jumped up on Johan’s shoulder and despite not being able to actually feel her, Johan leaned in.
“Hmm, I suppose I just want to express my appreciation.” He answered.
“Appreciation?”
“Yeah! My family is always there for me, whether that’s through dueling or just in general.” Johan looked fondly at Ruby. “I care about them a lot - they make me so happy!”
Judai was deep in thought as he turned that around in his mind. He remembered Fubuki saying that kisses were reserved for people you cared deeply about. He looked at Johan’s lips once more.
“So, when someone makes you really happy and you appreciate what they do for you…then the best way to let them know you care about them is with a kiss?”
“I guess that’s how I interpret it!” Johan grinned sheepishly. “But it’s more complicated than that too and there are definitely other ways to show –
Johan didn’t get to finish his sentence before a pair of lips were suddenly on his own. Judai had leaned over, closing the short distance between them. He realized then that Johan’s lips weren’t just pink but also terribly soft. The sensation felt better than Judai ever imagined it would and a comforting warmth bloomed in his chest. The kiss had been rather quick, but his lips still tingled as he pulled away.
“Judai…” Johan whispered afterwards, and a deep blush spread over his cheeks. He looked shyly to the side.
Taking in Johan’s nervous expression, all the dizzying warmth Judai had felt managed to rapidly evaporate as he realized that he had maybe done something wrong. His heart started to beat really fast in his chest, and he backed away a little further to make some space.
“I’m sorry!” Judai sputtered, promptly feeling a blush spreading over his own face as he attempted to explain himself, “I, uh, wanted to kiss you, so I did, but I should have probably thought about it more and asked you about how you felt first.”
“No, it’s okay. I liked it.” Johan quickly assured, finally glancing back up. He looked genuine and even gave a small laugh, “But that was my first kiss. I’m just a little surprised!”
Johan’s laugh was airy and light. The sound instantly had a calming effect and Judai felt relieved. He let out a breath he had been holding and somewhat teasingly, pointed out, “You kiss your deck though, so it’s not really your first.”
Johan grinned and began pulling at the longer strands of hair near his neck. Judai had been around the other enough to know that this was something Johan did when he was thinking deeply.
“It’s not the same. Umm…how do I explain this?” Johan's dark blush remained as he continued, “The Gem Beasts are my family and love them in that kind of way but how I feel about you is different than that type of love.”
Ever blunt, Judai asked, “You love me though?”
“I’m not sure yet, but I do like you. It’s still a special feeling.” Johan answered honestly, “Are you saying that you love me? Is that why you wanted to kiss?”
“How I feel about you is nothing like I’ve ever experienced, it is special.” Judai agreed, “I’ve never been in love before though…I think.” The brunet felt his cheeks burning hot once more as well, “But you make me happy, and I appreciate you a lot, so I wanted to express that at least.”
“Well, you make me happy, and I appreciate you too, Judai!”
Judai couldn’t help it when a goofy smile graced his face. He reached out and placed his hand on top of Johan’s because it felt right, “So, how do we find out if we love each other?”
“I’ve never been in love before either so I guess we can figure it out together!” Johan entwined their fingers, “We have all year, I’m sure we’ll know by then! I’m okay with that if you are.”
Judai looked into earnest green eyes and beamed, feeling really good. Talking with Johan was so easy, it didn’t matter what the topic was. Judai could just express himself as he usually did and be understood almost effortlessly. He and Johan were on the same wavelength more often than they weren’t and the fact they both felt similarly about their relationship, however it ended up being defined, shouldn’t have been a surprise but was comforting, nonetheless.
“If that’s the case…” Judai looked at the other boy with a glimmer in his eye, “Could I kiss you again?”
Instead of responding with words, Johan leaned in this time. He cupped the side of Judai’s face and brought their lips back together. He lingered longer than their first kiss but when he made to move apart, Judai gently placed his own hands on either side of Johan’s face and kept him there. When they eventually pulled away Johan laughed, his face still red.
Judai laughed as well, feeling a little lightheaded and giddy. He tried to ignore the butterflies that seemed to be dancing around in his stomach and focus instead on how happy he felt.
“Kissing you feels really good, and I like it.” He admitted shamelessly, “I want to keep doing it!”
“We can keep kissing. I like it too.” Johan replied easily, grinning, “But it doesn't have to be all now or nothing. We have lots of time.”
Judai’s heart swelled as he thought about that. Johan was right, they had all year and if this is how things were going to be, then he couldn’t wait…
And maybe, during that time, he would come to understand what being in love was like.