YGO PSL | ❝ i forget why i stay, and wonder if they'd notice if i slipped away. ❞

[inheritedpuzzle]

RAIN

( for once a post not continued from a meme!! we just continuing this hurt/comfort train down the way to hell. )

[ It was almost strange coming back home to Japan. It wasn't as if he had gotten used to being in America or their customs (or food - the size of the portions). More of it had to do with routine and getting back to normal day-to-day life. School work, tests, helping in the game shop. There were no tournaments, no life threatening situations. Strange is the word he guesses he'd put to it all if he had to find one. Somehow he had gotten used to the duels, the stakes, the adventure. Everything else is just... mundane.

That isn't the only issue, even though he'd like to point it to being the only one.

As the days go on and life returns to normal? The reality of time just becomes more apparent to him. Each day brings graduation closer. Graduation means the next step in their lives... and that means everyone will be going their separate ways. Usually Yugi can look past that. He can enjoy the time he has with everyone, but, it must be the combination of everything this particularly rainy autumn day. Graduation, what he'll do after school, and what he should do as the keeper of the Millennium Puzzle versus what he wants.

Autumn... graduation is in March. He'll be nineteen afterwards. It'll have been three years since he solved the Millennium Puzzle and woke the spirit that resides in it. Only three years. It feels like a lifetime, but, one he's glad to have had. A lifetime that he can't help but feel is going to be ending sooner rather than later despite what everyone around him says.

He knows everyone has noticed how quiet he has been the last few days. Atem still has been rather distant from everyone since they arrived back home. Yugi has decided not to bother his other self with what is going on in his head. Oh, he's sure Atem has sensed it and has even figured it out, but, he's still contending with his own issues left over from Dartz. Yugi doesn't plan to complicate that more with his own emotional battles. He'll have to rely on just himself if Atem ever leaves anyways...

Yugi steps into the entrance way of the school to grab his shoes. That is when he notices Anzu standing outside underneath the cover of the entryway. He looks down - making sure that she doesn't notice him - before trying to make the mental leaps on how to avoid her inevitable questions if he has been alright. He doesn't want to think about it. As far as he can tell, she has chosen which one of the two she likes, and he can't blame her for that. He knows she isn't going to take I'm fine as an answer too much longer. He doesn't want to think about how she'll be leaving shortly after graduation to study abroad - just like she has always wanted to.

Everyone has someplace and somewhere they plan to go but him. Even his other self has a destined path that moves him forward. Maybe all Yugi is meant to do is make sure each of them go where they're supposed to go. That might be his role in all of it. What is the point of all of it then? He finally makes the friends he wants and then has to see them all leave him behind?

He sighs and pushes down his frustration. It'll just bring more unwanted attention to himself. Especially from the spirit of the Pharaoh who is most likely worried but hasn't addressed it all.

Yugi closes the locker door and stares at the ground for a moment. With a sidelong glance at Anzu outside, he turns his back to the front doors. He supposes what he is about to ask is highly uncharacteristic, but, he's probably entitled to some alone time in his own soul room after everything.

'Other Me?' He gently calls out in their shared link. Part of him hates to ask this because it must seem spineless to a person that commanded armies and controlled a kingdom. 'Can you do me a favor?' ]

Comments

[ifthereiswill]

[ It is an interesting transition, that much is certain. Their days are quieter now, and Atem spends a lot more time inside his soul room with nothing but his thoughts and the endless staircases for company. But he always comes out when he feels as though Yugi needs a listening ear, and although they haven't had as many late night talks these days, he always tries to be there for his partner when he needs him. It's clear to him that both of them have a lot on their mind, and that just means that they both have to support each other as much as they can.

Atem can't quite grasp everything that's significant about the passage of time and the seemingly looming event known as graduation, but he can tell enough about the way Yugi feels to know that a separation is coming, and that it's one Yugi dreads very much.

It's been on Atem's mind lately to try and speak to Yugi again when a chance presents itself, but so far, it hasn't. Until today, that is. It doesn't really surprise him when Yugi suddenly reaches out, but he's quick to snap to attention. If Yugi's reaching out to him in a place that isn't his room, then there must be something important going on.

He materializes beside Yugi, a look of concern on his face. ] Of course I can, Yugi. What do you need?

the next evening ho ho ho

[inheritedpuzzle]

[ The morning went smoothly at least. He fussed little over what to wear, though he did make sure it wasn't exactly how he had dressed Atem for the date with Anzu. The weather has turned colder and he's not nearly as confident in himself to wear certain things out in public. Oh, he has unending support and encouragement from his other self, but, Yugi isn't sure he'll ever really be ready to show who he really is to the rest of the world.

Not like some people.

He says his goodbyes to his other self for now and notes that Umbra is still in the room. This time though, the black and white Shiba Inu is awake and barks goodbye to him as well. He would have thought Umbra would have left by now...

The date with Anzu was nice. He wouldn't call it a date because that would be getting his hopes up. Instead, he just sees it as a nice time spent with a friend. One who really hasn't had time alone with him in some time. Given the continual onslaught of rain continues as well as an alert of an incoming typhoon. Tis the season, after all. They decide they'll cut their outing only a little bit shorter -- just in case. The rain also forces them indoors at the mall.

They spend their time namely talking about what happened a few months ago under the eye of Dartz and the Orichalcos. Anzu parts with more details than he's managed to garner so far. At first he was hesitant to share the things he wishes he could tell his other self... but Anzu is relentless in knowing if he's alright. Then, he folds, and it all comes crashing out. She's more than understanding and steadfast in resolving of not letting something like that happen again. Nothing like the Orichalcos will split their friends up.

Yugi smiles, of course, but can't help but wonder if they all have forgotten that he's the one who chose to let the seal take him instead.

The night approaches and they have to say their good-byes. Yugi walks her to the nearest bus station and stays with her until she boards it to head home. At least he can offer her a genuine smile and thank her for her help. If anything, it's nice just to spend time with her alone... even if more won't come from it.

He walks back to the game shop, but doesn't reach out to Atem just yet. Not until he's home, done being pestered by his grandpa about the details, and up in his room. That's when he sees Umbra is still there, looking up from a dish of food. Grandpa knows that Umbra is there then and maybe he always knew. Umbra give shim a welcoming bark before turning back to his food.

Yugi settles into his night clothes and sits on the bed. After a moment he lays backwards and reaches over the edge to scratch the top of Umbra's head. Now, it's just waiting for his other self to realize he's home. ]