"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

[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.

[darkduelist]

Even so, the damage was still done...

[He turns towards the party again.]

The war has ended but... it'll take a lot of time to forget about it.

[And to return to their normal everyday life.]

[lostinshadows]

[There's something he could say, but it's all lies.

He simply squeezes Yuto's hand before he pulls it back.]

All that's left is to enjoy the future ahead. Don't think too much about it. The nightmares will stay, but it does get better so long as you don't continue to let it trap you.

[darkduelist]

[Yuto glances at him.]

Then why won't you do the same?

[lostinshadows]

I've thought about it before, but I have no reason to want to leave it.

[It's simple enough for him.]

There was never a reason for me to stray from a path that I've chosen, so I stuck with it.

[darkduelist]

There's... no reason?

[Sounding like he can't believe this, Yuto mutters those words and looks at Lavi.]

[lostinshadows]

You sound surprised.

[He raises an eyebrow.]

[darkduelist]

[He shakes his head, then closes his eyes.]

I just can't believe anybody would want to continue living like that...

[Being throw into wars one after another.]

[lostinshadows]

[Lavi hums softly, a hint of a smile on his face.]

I have my reasons.

[He's always been a child of war. This isn't too different.]

It's also why I can't stay for too long either.

[darkduelist]

[His brows furrow, but he sighs eventually.]

I won't try to convince you anymore...

[No matter what he says it just won't work anyway.]

[lostinshadows]

Thanks for trying, though.

[He grins.]

But like I said, you guys are better off just thinking of me in a good light than wonder where I’ll end up being in next time.

[darkduelist]

It doesn't work that way.

[It just doesn't. Yuto will now always wonder where Lavi is and what is happening to him.]