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Johan could tell once he met Judai that he had a drifter’s soul. As much as Johan loves travelling the world, he’s not the kind of person who wanders for very long. He’s happy to see what the world has to offer, and to run to the aid of any spirit and human who needs him. At the end of the day though, he craves his home, where he can make some food for his friends to enjoy, sit in his favourite chair reading the latest letters from his schoolmates and watch the rain fall while the fire is going. Being such a homebody isn’t so fun though without anyone to share that home with.
So he has something of a revolving door of guests.
Asuka will come over sometimes when she needs help with any Spirit related shenanigans in Duel Academy that she isn’t equipped to handle. Sho and Ryo visit if ever their Cyber League is being hosted in the area. Austin sometimes uses him as a safe house, which Johan lets him do, so long as he never keeps anything overly dangerous into his house. Once a blue moon, he’ll see Jim and Karen, up from Australia, for a catch up or some conservation trip. Not to mention his friends from North Academy and the neighbours. All the local homebodies love doing cookouts or bake sales or just hanging out together.
His most frequent guest though is Yuki Judai.
When he’s not busy with dimension hopping, he tends to come back for a few days or hours sometimes. Whether it’s to eat some human food after being stuck eating suspicious roots from a dangerous dimension, or if Yubel emergency teleported him after he got a bad injury and Johan has had to stitch him back together. Judai visits the most, but stays the least.
So a morning being greeted to the sight of his peacefully sleeping face is a rare treat.
They’ve shared beds often enough since Duel Academy, when they used to squeeze into Judai’s bunk for sleepovers, or when they were cuddling in bed together after the fight with Fujiwara. Just to remember they’re still alive. To know the other person is safe.
Johan sighs softly, smiling as the 4am dawn begins to shine on Judai.
5 years on and he loves him just as much as he did so long ago. If only there was a good time to say it.
Judai snuggles in closer to his chest, looking especially peaceful.
There have been no major catastrophes in the human or Spirit worlds recently. Judai is here, enjoying some of the rare peace and quiet, free of the usual ridiculousness of life.
Hane Kuriboh and Ruby Carbuncle are sleeping at their feet, Ruby with her tail curved around Kuriboh like a pillow, Kuriboh with his wings over Ruby like a blanket. Their partners have missed each other just as much as they have.
Johan sighs softly, staring at the ceiling. His hand reaches up to absentmindedly stroke Judai’s hair. How it’s so soft when Judai doesn’t shower very often is a mystery. Touching his hair like this and snuggling in bed together…
“If I don’t wear gloves, how bad will this stain my hands?”
“Pretty bad, it’ll take a couple days to come out completely. You’ll be part duelist, part blueberry.”
…it reminds him of simpler days. When they only had to worry about being teenagers who love Duelling and see spirits and have their whole lives ahead of them.
Sometimes he wishes he could go back to that. But he’ll take the maturity and knowledge and difficult experiences he’s endured to be who he is now over his idealised younger self. And he’ll take Judai as he has become as well. This is the Judai who is here with him now. This is the Judai he loves most.
Johan looks down, smiling helplessly.
Judai is still drooling his sleep away.
Johan leans closer, kissing Judai’s forehead.
Judai hums.
Johan leans back slowly, trying to stay calm.
But it’s too late.
Judai’s eyes flutter open.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.” Johan laughs, trying to play it cool.
Judai yawns, then smiles. “You missed.”
Johan blinks. “Eh?”
Judai sits up, shuffling closer.
Johan’s eyes widen.
Judai lays on top of him, resting his elbows by Johan’s head, looking at him too close. Their breaths intermingle, their eyes locked tight. Ever since their return from Dark World, Judai has always looked different, especially his eyes. He knows it’s because of Yubel and Judai’s time as the Supreme King.
But there’s always been something else, something special there whenever they lock eyes.
“Do you think I’d sleep with someone else like I do with you?” Judai hums.
Johan blinks in confusion. “What?”
Where is that question coming from?
“I’ve slept on rocks, in hammocks, on beds, in trees, even on the backs of Duel Monsters, Johan.” Judai smiles. “I could fall asleep literally anywhere.”
“I wouldn’t put that past you, Judai.” Johan smiles playfully.
Judai smiles wider. “So if I didn’t want to sleep with you, I could sleep anywhere else.”
That is worth remembering.
“So you wanted my comfy bed?” Johan looks away at his pillow. “Must be really comfy if you’d choose it almost every time you come over.”
Johan can feel Judai staring holes into his head.
Then a sigh.
“Johan.”
Then there’s a press to his forehead.
Light and soft. A little moist. As if wet fingers were touching his temple.
“I love you, Johan.” Judai whispers.
Johan turns to look up at him, eyes wide.
Their noses brush.
Johan murmurs softly, almost too softly. “What about Yubel?”
“They’re okay now. And my heart is big enough for more than one.” Judai grins. “I’ve been waiting for you to be okay with it, with us too, so I could give you my first kiss.”
“You mean you haven’t…” Johan stares at Judai’s lips.
Judai shakes his head. “Didn’t see the point in it in high school, until I met you. Then I was too busy saving the world, healing with Yubel and growing up to have time to think about it.”
Johan almost can’t believe it. He’s already had his first kiss, but does it really count if you did it with a kid you don’t remember the name of when you were both 3? He hasn’t really kissed anyone since then.
“Can I kiss you, Judai?” Johan asks.
Judai smiles. “Only if you’ll be my boyfriend.”
Johan smiles and nods.
It’s a light press, nothing fancy or wet or sexy.
It’s just them, as they are. As they were meant to be.