"Your heart will open minds"

[lostinshadows]

[It was over.

It was a long war, too long for Lavi to even appreciate to the fullest. Switching sides midway wasn't even surprising for his nature - Bookmen were never exactly loyal to any side but their own, after all - but what was surprising was how much Lavi began to enjoy their company, even if he and Shun didn't exactly see eye to eye. It was even longer until they managed to split everyone up again from Yuya and Yuzu, back into their respective counterparts.

With the dimensions still damaged from the war, it would take everyone's help to restore the proper balance again.

But now, it was a time of celebration. Everyone was enjoying themselves, partying as they celebrated having their friends back.

Lavi watched them for a bit longer from his place in the shadows, a hint of a smile on his face. However, it faded when he remembered that he still had a job to do - he needed to report back to his mentor - and sighed softly. Giving the party another look, he turns and walks out, fidgeting with the duel disk still attached to him.]

Comments

[lostinshadows]

As if you're any better.

[There's a hint of a smile on his face.

He shrugs a bit.]

It'll be better for them to forget about me. [Even if he knows it's not likely.] It's not likely I cross paths with anyone I've allied with in the past.

[darkduelist]

[He'll pretend he didn't hear the first part, but there is a hint of embarrassment on his face.

Yuto frowns.]

Why?

[He closes his eyes.]

You can't just make them forget about you... You helped us, too, so you're just as important as everybody else.

[lostinshadows]

[Lavi laughs softly.]

No, they won't forget about me, but maybe it'd be better if they did.

[A glance back at the party.]

My line of work is dangerous. Even if one war ends, there will always be others and I'll be thrown into the middle of it.

[darkduelist]

[Yuto wants to ask him about the details, but instead he lets a small sigh.]

So why won't you enjoy peace for as long as you can?

[Why won't you enjoy it with them? Would it hurt to do that?]

[lostinshadows]

...Not sure if my mentor would completely appreciate that.

[How long has the party been going on now?

Lavi doesn't want to overstay his welcome, even if the main reason why he'd stay is in front of him.]

Besides, shouldn't you be joining the party, too? Get reacquainted with Ruri again. [He adopts a more teasing tone this time.]

[darkduelist]

[Who knows how long? It's night already, but it's okay to celebrate for as long as they can. After all, they have all the reasons to be happy about.

Yuto immediately blushes at that remark.]

She... [He looks away.] She is with Shun now. They need time to catch up and I can always talk to Ruri later.

[Family is important, you know?]

...Besides, I spent a lot of time with them earlier.

[lostinshadows]

....You can never spend too much time with the people that you love, you know.

[Aren't you part of that family?

Lavi chuckles softly, a smile on his face.]

[darkduelist]

[He is, but...

Yuto glances at Lavi.]

...What about you? Do you get to spend time with the people you love?

[lostinshadows]

[Lavi's quiet for a moment, thinking.

Then his smile dims.]

No, but that's because I don't have anyone like that anymore. The only person I ever remember loving so much is my mentor and he's the one who found me.

[darkduelist]

[Yuto doesn't say anything at first, only looks at Lavi. Then, a moment passes and he extends his hand towards him, as if asking him to take it.]

Then why not spend more time with... us? [Me. That's what he wanted to say at first, but that would've been so stupid. He doesn't know Lavi well at all. But the other helped them, helped Yuto, too, and he just wants to know more about him.]

They all care about you already, you're important to them.

[lostinshadows]

You don’t need someone like me spoiling the party.

[But he looks at his hand, a sort of yearning expressed in his eye.

Can he allow himself this brief moment to be happy? It’s so easy to slip away and let memories be memories. He’s never gotten attached to anyone before, so why is this different?

No, he knows exactly why.

It isn’t that he got attached to them. He got attached to Yuto.

He reaches out, fingers curling around Yuto’s.]

[darkduelist]

If I didn't spoil the party, you won't either.

[A soft smile appears on his face. He's happy that it's all over and he's happy when Lavi reaches out to take his hand. But the moment he feels Lavi's touch he blushes slightly and his heart skips a beat.

It's weird and for a second he's confused with himself, so he turns around and just attempts to lead Lavi towards the party.]

[lostinshadows]

Right.

[He’ll hold back the fact that he's possibly more of a pessimist than Yuto.

The blush has Lavi giving him an inquisitive look, though he decides not to comment on it. He simply allows Yuto to lead him back to the party, though he does adjust their hands so it’s being held comfortably.]

[darkduelist]

[There's a strange feeling pooling in his chest as they walk like this while holding hands.

And suddenly Yuto stops in his tracks.]

I've always wanted to ask you something...

[He pauses.]

Why did you decide to help us?

[lostinshadows]

....

[Lavi looks bemused.

He could be honest, it's worked so well for him so far, but...]

I could give you a million of reasons why, but not a single one of them would be right. [Because it could have easily been a whim of his, to want to bring back the smiles of people that was taken away, or maybe even for this person beside him right now.]

There's a lot of reasons why I helped you out.

[darkduelist]

[Yuto squeezes Lavi's hand into his own and slowly turns around to face him.]

Then what where you doing on Academia's side anyway?

[He sounds mostly curious. He doesn't want to blame Lavi for anything... he just wants to understand him better.]

[lostinshadows]

It was a side I was assigned to.

[Lavi tilts his head and meets Yuto's gaze evenly.]

I've told you, haven't I? My job is to record wars and since Academia was the one causing it, I was to be on their side and record what happens. So, it wasn't as if I had much of a choice in the beginning.

[darkduelist]

[He looks at Lavi for another moment before he drops his gaze.]

It doesn't sound right.

[lostinshadows]

What doesn’t?

[He genuinely sounds confused.]

[darkduelist]

That you have to be thrown into a war to "do your job".

[He really hates wars. Can't you tell?]

[lostinshadows]

[He can tell.

It's why Lavi doesn't want Yuto to get more deeply involved in his life. With his job, enemies can be easy to make.]

I'm used to it. It's been my life ever since I was a child. [And he can't quite quit that for several reasons.]

[darkduelist]

[Yuto keeps frowning, but this time his face twists more into something akin to anger.

And he squeezes Lavi's hand again.]

That's not something you should get used to.

[lostinshadows]

[Ah.

The anger is a new emotion to him. Something that has Lavi studying Yuto for a moment.]

It's not something that can be changed. Even if I do want to leave that life, leaving it behind entirely is impossible. [He will always be a soldier at heart.]

[darkduelist]

[His expression becomes softer.]

It's it the same with me?

[He'll always remember the war, the fear, the anger he felt, the loss. They all engraved scars deep into his heart.]

[lostinshadows]

.....

[Lavi's own expression softens.]

Hopefully not. You being caught in one war is bad enough. I'd hate it if you get caught in another.