stardustedxsynchro:
To Jaden’s question double checking if Yusei was sure of himself and his decision, the physicist nodded his head, his resolve clear in ocean blue eyes. His nod was soon answered with one of Jaden’s own, and Yusei didn’t at all falter as Jaden approached for an embrace; wrapping his arms around his husband in a comforting light touch of a hold as his arms stayed secure around him.
Yusei’s hold tightened as Jaden’s own did the same – holding onto him tightly against what time they had left before the change took place. And even as they parted, Yusei still soaked in Jaden’s warmth and presence – and didn’t hesitate to answer the warm affections in the small kiss in kind as much as he could.
He loved this man, after all.
.. The kiss was over as quick as it began, and as Jaden pulled away, Yusei resting his hands against his arms after pulling away from the embrace himself, his brows furrowed sadly as from the sigh and Jaden’s words, it was time to say goodbye for now.
It was… bittersweet. He knew Jaden would not be gone long… but he still would be going some place in which it wouldn’t be easy to reach him. He would be back, and it was a mutual decision, but…
… It was one wrought with risk. There was a chance that Haou could go rogue, make a move against Yusei again, or try his best to do any sort of damage in return of what had happened. These were real possibilities, but they could only be as far as possible from Yusei’s mind. He trusted Jaden’s judgement, and his insight into his other half. If they had a chance to redeem him, then they should take it. Especially if he had been sitting alone in his own darkness, craving someone else’s touch for so long…
And so, Yusei wanted to give him that second chance… even if it meant saying goodbye to his lover for the time being.
“I guess I’ll go swap places with him now.”
A hum left the Obelisk graduate as he nodded. “Stay safe.” He quickly asked of him before Jaden once again closed what space was left between them – yet another kiss stolen willfully by both parties as blue eyes closed and let a slight taste of his wish to not let Jaden go for even just a second pass between them. All before separating again, only to still desire contact as their foreheads touched, blue eyes daring to look at near amber before they closed again as Yusei drank in his husband’s confession. Holding it close, for he didn’t know when he would hear it again – although he knew he’d get that chance somewhere down the line.
“I love you, as well. Remember that, as you stay in the dark.” He spoke softly in return, answering Jaden’s affections all up until the very moment to where he pulled out from his arms, Yusei’s hands still touching his skin until he had distanced himself far away, some sorrow visible on the honor roll graduate’s face.
While within Jaden, it was a look deep into his soul, covered in Gentle Darkness, as he looked far, far and far and as deep as he possibly could to find Haou… Yusei was left to his own devices as he stared worriedly at a Jaden with his eyes closed.
He was left alone. Alone to sit there and wait with a small trickle of fear in his veins as he waited. He debated reaching out, and taking Jaden’s hand – and he tried; his left hand growing close to the still one at Jaden’s side–…
… But he stopped. Hesitating. Coming into control to find Yusei’s hand in his would perhaps make things too uncomfortable for the first meeting since Jaden and Yusei’s wedding day. With a puzzled look on his face, and a sigh as his eyes remained hooked on the wedding band on his finger that he had gotten used to the weight of… he pulled back, a sigh leaving him.
… He looked down at the floor, and… within seconds, it… felt like the atmosphere had changed. He felt as if he wasn’t alone. A feeling in his gut and his being as he looked up – sapphire locking onto striking bright topaz.
He was here.
A light gasp left Yusei’s lips as his own eyes widened shortly after Haou’s own. Despite that, he still didn’t dare look away from golden eyes that once struck fear deep into his soul. Perhaps… a tiny bit of it remained, but not for too long.
Did… Did he see sorrow across Haou’s face for a moment…?
Yusei opened his mouth to speak, but Haou did it first. He pursed his lips and held his ground waiting as he looked away, and silence filled the room again, until with a snarl of teeth, he reached out towards Jaden. Yusei’s shoulders slumped, and his expression fell slightly.
To honor his and Jaden’s agreement… Haou was going to go without being able to switch for some time. At least… until a decision about the problem at hand was made. Yet again, there was nothing but silence after Haou’s outburst… until finally he muttered under his breath and dodged Yusei’s gaze.
Another sigh left him. There was only silence for a moment more before Yusei took the initiative.
It was time to start trying to help this old soul get a new future.
“..Haou.” He began, taking a step forward. “Jaden spoke to me about your silence. About your feelings.”
“… We would like to help you. If you’d allow us.”
There was no way in hell that Haou would stand for this. How dare Jaden force him into such a position where he would have to face the one that unfortunately captured Haou’s eternal feelings. Did he not realise how much this hurt? How much this just rubbed salt into the already fatal wound that was his very own heart?
That bastard would pay for this.
“..Haou.”
The beautiful melody of Yusei gently saying his name brought the Supreme King out of his enraged thoughts, but it was a shame for the Obelisk graduate, as Haou wasn’t ready for him to be so close just yet and thus took a harsh step backwards the moment Yusei tried to edge closer. The last time Haou had been this close, he had almost taken the shooting star for himself, his faded stardust eyes looking into Haou’s glimmering specks of gold as vows were said, but never acted upon. Jaden never let him have that chance.
Well… It wasn’t like Yusei was aware of the words he said. It had all been under Haou’s own dark power. How could the ancient king be upset about losing those feelings when they were never his to begin with?
They were just… lies to fulfill his own satisfaction while Jaden had always had the real thing. Of course he did.
“Jaden spoke to me about your silence. About your feelings.”
“He had no right,” Haou growled, his golden eyes burning into Yusei’s as his hands clenched into fists with his nails digging into the skin. “That was my secret – my invaded privacy. He should just mind his own damn business.” There was no doubt about it – he was furious. Haou had stayed in the darkness of Jaden’s soul for a reason! He didn’t want to be disturbed! He didn’t want to talk about it!
… He wanted to be forgiven and put the past behind him.
He wanted to be left alone.
“… We would like to help you. If you’d allow us.”
Haou’s breath hitched at the gentle words, but he remained firm against his walls, desperately trying to hold them up. Why? Why were they doing this to him? He hadn’t earned this. He had tried to ruin their lives! Twice!!
Was this… some kind of sick joke?
“I don’t want your pity, nor will I ever need it. You both make me sick.” The Supreme King huffed, feigning annoyance to hide his own fear that this was just some lousy prank. “You should be terrified of me and I’d much prefer it that way, so just leave me alone.”
