Work Text:
The aggressive beeping of the alarm clock was what snapped Aki out of her restless sleep. She'd been drifting in and out of sleep to the point it had been difficult to distinguish dream from reality, but realizing that this was, indeed, the latter, was hardly welcome news at this point. Disgruntled, she began going through her morning routine before heading to the kitchen, hardly aware if Yusei'd been stirred awake. Aki's mind was too preoccupied with the day she knew lay ahead.
Sighing as she poured rice into the boiler, Aki was self-aware enough to know that she should develop a tolerance for this sooner or later. She doubted she could make it as a doctor, the long and arduous days, if she couldn't learn to leave her work when her shift ended. But she couldn't help it – the ails of the children under her care would follow her home no matter how she tried not to think about them. Even now, she was paying less attention to the eggs she was frying on the skillet, her mind squarely focused on the work day waiting for her. Today was the day of little Miki's surgery, and Aki had to make sure to be there to reassure her before she went in the OR. It had been a sensible decision, all things considered, but there was always a risk involved with surgery, and Aki wondered if she shouldn't have tried to come with at least a few more things to try before making the call to book a surgeon. And then there was Abel, whose condition had showed a slight decline compared to earlier. Aki knew it could just be a natural dip before his body would begin responding to the new medication, but she couldn't help wondering if this was a sign that she'd made the wrong call, if maybe she should have continued on the old medication for a bit longer to see if it would begin helping, if only, but what if, but maybe if she'd just---
She was interrupted when a warm hand landed on her shoulder, and with a slight twitch, Aki turned to look at Yusei behind her.
- You're really tense today, Yusei smiled as he put his other hand on Aki's other shoulder. - Here, try relaxing your shoulders a little.
It wasn't until Yusei began massaging her that Aki realized just how right he was – she must've unconsciously been tensing up during the night. Even with how gentle Yusei was trying to be, every touch had her hissing in pain, until bit by bit, Yusei's efforts began to pay off, and Aki felt her body relax. The touch was getting so comfortable, in fact, that her eyes began to droop, until Yusei spoke again.
- Are you worried about work again?
Aki tensed a little, but with Yusei's hands still massaging her shoulders, this quickly faded. Still, it was difficult to put her racing thoughts into words, and so Aki only nodded.
- It's the operation, isn't it? It's going to be fine, Yusei said. - Miki's strong, you've said so yourself. And the surgeon is the same who's operated on Ushio and Kazama, right? Then you don't have to be afraid. Everyone involved will be doing their best.
Some insecure instinct compelled her to protest, but the way Yusei drew comforting circles along her spine kept her grounded. Instead, all that came out was a hum that sounded to agree with Yusei more than not.
- And that boy... Abel, right? You know it's not your burden alone, right? If this new medication doesn't end up working, you can just consult the other doctors to find another solution. But you already did that when making this decision in the first place, didn't you? Do you think your colleagues would have let you do this if they didn't agree with your judgement?
Logically, Aki knew Yusei was right. But the anxious feeling in her stomach wasn't so easy to get rid of, and Yusei must have noticed that she wasn't yet convinced. Stopping the massage, he moved one of his hands to the stove, and put the skillet Aki'd been working with to the side.
- Hey. Look at me.
Turning around, Aki saw Yusei smiling at her, like he always did in times like these, bright and comforting like the sun.
- You're going to do great. But regardless of how the day goes, I'll be here, ready to listen to you, hold you, or just pamper you for the fun of it. So don't think you have to struggle on your own, okay?
His hands were gently on her shoulders, and looking Yusei in the eye, Aki couldn't stop herself from smiling as well, and with a light chuckle, she shook her head. Yusei knew she never could stay brooding when he looked and held her like that, and he never hesitated to use this knowledge to both of their advantages.
- … You're right, Aki said. - I shouldn't worry...
- Well, some worry is fine. Seems to come with the trade, Yusei said, before pressing his forehead against Aki's. - Just don't overdo it. And remember to take a break when you can. Even if it's just letting your eyes rest or not having to force yourself to smile for a few minutes.
- Mmm... Yes, I'll try and keep that in mind, Aki sighed. Having Yusei close like this always made her so inexplicably happy. Made her feel like it was alright to let her walls down. - Actually, either way, I think I'll need some rest and relaxation when I come home. I did not have a good night's sleep...
- Then I'll spend the day thinking of ways to make your evening as comfortable as possible, Yusei said. - That's the good thing about downtime between tournaments. I get to spend all my energy on making you happy instead.
The way he said it, like it was more a favour towards himself than Aki and how he didn't even seem realize how that was odd, was the last push for Aki, and the last of her stress disappeared with an amused giggle. Yusei looked a little confused, but didn't question it when Aki leaned in to briefly kiss him.
- Thank you, dear. You always know just what to say, Aki said as she pulled away. - I think with this, getting through today will be much easier.
- Glad to be of service, Yusei said as Aki turned her attention to finishing their breakfast. - If I could, I'd come to your job and support you... But seeing as that isn't an option, I'll do what I can.
- But you ARE still coming to the charity event next week, aren't you?
- Oh, absolutely! If me being there will help cheer the children up, I won't miss it for a thing.
- You have no idea, Aki said. - It's all they've been able to talk about for weeks. How the legendary Yusei Fudo is coming to see them... Some of the kids discharged last week were disappointed, even. Didn't want to miss their chance to meet you.
Then, Aki came to think of something, and suddenly it was all she could to keep herself from laughing. Yusei frowned confused.
- What?
- Oh, it's just... I remembered something one of my colleagues said after I'd told them you'd be coming to the event, Aki said, barely able to get a word out in between her giggles. - They told me, “I can't believe you managed to book THE Yusei Fudo! I don't know what tricks you used, but you must be amazing at networking!”
At first, all Yusei did was blink baffled, but by the time Aki's words had truly processed in his head, a few confused snorts had turned to full-blown laughter. With no reason to hold back herself, Aki joined him, and together, they laughed for a while, with Yusei leaning against her back, head nuzzled in the crook of Aki's neck and his laughter bubbling warmly on her skin.
- Ahaha... Well, networking is important and all... Yusei sputtered in between laughing fits. - But I hope... Hehe... I hope you won't use the same tricks you used on me to expand your network... Ahaha! I think our apartment would get crowded quickly!
Aki had to move her right right hand over her mouth to try and contain herself at least a little, lest she become hard of breath. As she was slowly regaining her composure, she felt Yusei's left hand move over hers, with a slight clink as the ring on his ring finger touched hers.
Most days, this was what loving Yusei was like. Comforting touches and joyful laughter, and the warm smiles that allowed Aki to face every new day without fear.
* * *
On the anniversary of the descend of the Ark Cradle and Yusei's victory over Z-ONE, the entire city was alight with celebration. It may have felt tactless, considering how horrid that night had been for many, but the corporate overlords of Neo Domino City would take any excuse to push sales, so party it was. Performances and events were held all over the city, and street vendors had capitalized on the opportunity, coming out in troves, and the laughter and cheers of the people made the entire city feel like a carnival. As the memories of that night were slowly fading, this day was becoming just another day to feel merry and alive.
For all but one.
Near the ocean, on a rocky beach so far away from the lively lights of the city, Yusei and Aki were approaching the water's edge. Out here, the only sounds you could hear were the crash of the waves and their footsteps. Once close enough to the water to be able to look at the vast ocean spreading before the city, Yusei plopped down to sit on the sand. Aki followed in suit, sitting next to him, watching Yusei with worried eyes. The darkness may have been enough to conceal it for some, but Aki could tell Yusei was acting different from every subtle movement, the uncertainty in his posture and dejectedness of his gait, so different from the man Neo Domino City was celebrating as their noble, unfaltering hero. Instead, when Yusei dug his hand in the sand, letting the grains fall along his hand before grabbing more, compulsively almost, he had the air of an lost child about him. But even so, Aki said nothing. She knew Yusei would have to be the one to speak first, or he would just shut down for the entire night.
It was several minutes, probably closer to an half hour as Aki just listened to the waves, before Yusei's voice, frail, choked, broke through the air.
- I know it's silly... Logically, I know the sand here isn't the same as back then, Yusei lifted his hand, watching as the sand fell down between his fingers. - The ocean's changed it long ago. And yet... When I come here, and hold the sand in my hand... It's crazy, but you know? I almost feel like I can still feel him here next to me.
Yusei looked at the spot where the sand had fallen from his hand, hanging his head. Of course, Aki knew what this was about, always had. Yusei was good at pretending, but Aki wasn't oblivious enough not to know what Yusei was thinking whenever she'd catch him staring emptily towards the ocean from their apartment window. But if she'd ask him then, he'd just smile and say it was nothing. This night was the only time Aki was allowed to admit that she knew.
- I wasn't here myself, of course, but Ushio told me... This is where they found him. And so it felt like the only place uniquely him, right? Everywhere else... We were always there as Team 5Ds. There never was a place where it was just him and I. Just here. This is the only place I could go to, to... to remember.
He lifted his head, eyes fixated on the ocean and the dark sky above it. This was one of the few places near the city where the light pollution wasn't enough to smother the stars, and Aki didn't need Yusei saying it to know whose face he saw among the stars.
- Bruno...
Just the way he said it, like a year's worth of suppressed tears were loaded into a single word, had Aki's heart aching like it was about to split into two. She would have done anything to ease Yusei's pain, but she knew by now that doing so was a pipe dream. All she could do was listen.
- It didn't have to end up like this. I'm sure it didn't! If I'd had more time, I'm sure I could have... I mean, there had to be some way to save him...!
- You know as well as I do that there wasn't, Yusei, Aki said, softly, like even too sharp of a word would be enough to break him. - Bruno did what he did because it was the only way to save everyone.
- That's... That can't be! If I just hadn't accepted the duel, Bruno would never have---!
- And how then would we have stopped the Planetary Gear? Bruno knew you couldn't do that unless he fulfilled his mission for Z-ONE. Yusei, there is nothing you could have done differently. Bruno knew it too. That's why accepted the duel, even knowing how it would end, so you could gain the strength you needed to face Z-ONE.
Unable to counter her words, Yusei fell quiet, and Aki waited patiently for him to speak again. It was more of a ritual at this point, the same lines repeated every year, but maybe that was just as well. Anything that helped Yusei live with what could never be.
- It's messed up, isn't it? Yusei suddenly said. - Before the Grand Prix, he was always there with me. We were so close, I had so many opportunities to say something. But I never realized... It wasn't until it was too late that I realized...!
Aki wondered if this would be the year Yusei would finally say it. She knew he'd already admitted it to himself a long ago. She'd never tried to deny it, either. But the way Yusei gestured, helpless, mouthing the words that refused to come out, Aki saw that he was still holding back. Was it out of some respect for her, she wondered. But something about the way Yusei looked at her, that begging look in his eyes, was different. Like he knew that she knew, and was begging her to set him free.
And so, Aki looked up at the sky, like she was hoping the stars Yusei'd been looking at would whisper her the words he needed to hear, before finally speaking:
- Even after a lifetime of pain, Bruno chose you over his mission. Until the very end, he thought of nothing but protecting you, Yusei. I'm sure that he loved you, too.
There was a moment of silence, until it was broken by a loud sob. When Aki looked at Yusei, she found him with his hands wrapped around his legs, tears pouring out of his eyes.
- I... I couldn't even smile at him as he died, Aki! Even when he knew he was going to die, he still smiled at me, but... He gave everything for me, and I can't... On the one day to remember him, I still can't smile back at him...!
Aki had never seen Yusei cry like this, so hopeless, so broken. But at the same time, she knew this was what Yusei had needed for the longest time.
- Yusei... Bruno died so you could live. With every breath that you take, every smile, every laughter, you're already paying back his sacrifice a thousandfold. That's why he was able to smile back then... Because he knew all the smiles you would have so long as you lived, Aki said, before inching closer and reaching out her hand. - And living means sometimes being sad, too. So cry, Yusei. Cry as long as you need to, until you feel like you've shown Bruno just how much he meant to you.
Yusei tried to speak, but all that came out was a choked snivel. But he gripped Aki's hand tight, and leaned his head against her shoulder before finally allowing himself to no longer hold anything back. And all Aki could do was hold Yusei's hand as he cried, return the grip tight, make sure he was not alone. And as Yusei's tears were dropping on her shoulder, Aki came to notice the grains of sand between their hands, and for a moment, it felt like there was someone there with them. That beyond the stars, Bruno was watching over them.
This was the other side of loving Yusei. To be there for him as he cried his heart out and mourned a lost love. To hope and pray that as long as they were together, hand in hand, they could get through their darkest days.