"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]

I already said it's because it's cute.

[And he does enjoy teasing people.]

[darkduelist]

But I don't understand. Why do you think that?

[lostinshadows]

...

[Lavi doesn't say anything, just smiles at him for a moment.

Then he pats him on the head.]

No reason.

[darkduelist]

[Still embarrassed, Yuto gives him an unhappy look, then he seems to be hesitating. He's not sure what he's feeling or why he's feeling that. It's not like they became good friends... or even just friends at all. And yet Yuto doesn't want him to go.

He sighs a bit and grabs Lavi's hand. It's warm against his own and Yuto blushes even more.]

[lostinshadows]

Yuto?

[A lone emerald eye gazes at the other in surprise.]

[darkduelist]

Is there... really no way I can convince you to stay... with me?

[He's a little surprised with himself that he's said that last part.]

[lostinshadows]

[That just stuns Lavi more.

He blinks at him a few times.]

....You....want me to stay with you?

[darkduelist]

[He nods, then sighs and lets go of Lavi's hand.]

I guess it's stupid for me to say something like that, right?

[lostinshadows]

It's not stupid.

[He's just confused.]

But I mean, it's a bit weird, isn't it? Why do you want me to stay with you?

[darkduelist]

Because... [He glances at Lavi, then turns away.]

...I think I... like you... [He says that last part very quietly.

It's stupid.]

[lostinshadows]

.....

[Expression softening, he steps close to wrap his arms around Yuto tightly.]

Is it enough for you to really want me to stay?

[darkduelist]

[Yuto freezes when he feels Lavi's arms around him, but he soon relaxes into the embrace and puts his hands on Lavi's arms.]

It's more than enough.

[lostinshadows]

Then I'll stay. Only for as long as you want me to.

[darkduelist]

You... will?

[He can barely believe in that. Is it really so simple? Is this really all he needs to do to make Lavi stay?]

[lostinshadows]

Yup.

[He's very simple in this way.

But he peers down at him seriously.]

But only for as long as you want me to stay, Yuto. [He doesn't give his heart out so easily to just anyone. And he doesn't want to give his heart and have it returned to him in pieces if Yuto ends up not wanting him anymore.]

[darkduelist]

[Yuto blinks and suddenly looks at him with seriousness and worry.]

Is... is it going to sound strange if I say that I don't want you to leave... at all?

[His heart just doesn't want to let go of Lavi, like him being here is too important and if Lavi ever left it would hurt.]

[lostinshadows]

[Lavi thinks for a moment before his own gaze turns serious. He gently cups Yuto's chin, looking at him in the eyes.]

If that's what you want, but do you really want me to stick with you? We still don't know enough about each other, after all.

[darkduelist]

[Yuto looks up at him with cheeks heated from embarrassment.]

I...

[He hesitates then gives Lavi a soft smile.]

I can't help it. This is how I feel about you now. And I want to know more about you.

[It's not like he's asking Lavi to date him or anything like that. They can take their time to get to know each other properly... And they can do this now, when the world is no longer endangered by war.]

[lostinshadows]

[Lavi studies him for a moment longer before he relaxes.

Letting him go, he smiles back.]

Alright then. I'll stay.

[darkduelist]

[Yuto gives him another small smile, then reaches out to take his hand.]

Then let's go back? Everyone is waiting.

[lostinshadows]

Alright.

[He takes Yuto's hand. He's sure that if his mentor learns about this, he'll get an earful for it. However, there will always be that one little nagging in the back of his mind. Lavi hasn't been lying earlier, after all.

If Yuto changes his mind about him wanting to be there, then Lavi will leave.]

I'm not going to get punched by Shun if he sees me holding hands with you, am I?

[darkduelist]

[Yuto gives him an embarrassed smile.]

Don't worry about him.

[And then a serious look.]

I won't let Shun do anything to you.

[Or at least he'll try his best to stop his reckless and overprotective best friend.]

[lostinshadows]

I believe you.

[He laughs.]

Except that I do know Shun and he's going to try to punch me, anyway. [That's what he kept doing to Lavi, after all, until his change of heart when they kept dimension hopping with each other.]

[darkduelist]

[Yuto frowns, but nods.]

He'll try... but I will stop him.

[So don't worry, Lavi!]

[lostinshadows]

My life is in your hands then.

[He guesses. He still doesn't have that much faith.]