Rivalshippingmonth is finally here, so of course I have to participate in that \(^-^)/
I won't do all days, but I'll still be putting off my current fanfictions until September, just in case you were curious.
(Prompts from gx-rivalshippingmonth on tumblr)
Day 2: Smile!
Yikes... not satisfied with how this turned out at all, but hey, we gotta start somewhere! Also, I'm early, I know!
''I'm going to be in the Pro League?'', Chazz repeated, completely stunned about the sudden revelation.
He had expected everything upon being called into the Chancellor's office – a call from his brothers, expulsion from the Academy, world saving duty – but this was something he'd never thought about.
''But I haven't even graduated yet!''
''I am aware of that. However, there is an event being hosted in Domino and the organizer specifically asked us to send a student from our school to participate with Pro League duelists. Depending on how you score in the event, the organizer might offer you a place in the Pro League after graduation.''
To get a place in the Pro League as a Slifer Red -even if he didn't wear the uniform, that's still what he was- was nearly impossible, so being offered such a chance was incredible.
Most importantly, it would convince his brothers that he wasn't the useless scum they always believed him to be which would lead to them giving him a second chance to prove his worth.
They could still fulfill their plan of world domination if he was at the top of the dueling world again.
But... did he want that? Did that make him happy?
Was that his own goal or just something forced on him that had made him believe it was his own?
''You don't have to decide this right now, but please inform me of your decision until tomorrow morning.''
Chancellor Sheppard handed him a paper, but his mind was already somewhere else as he turned around and left the office, causing him to bump into the student who had been eavesdropping on his conversation from outside.
The impact made both of them stagger backwards and they let out a simultaneous 'Ouch' before Chazz snapped back to his senses and realized just who was standing there.
''Jaden, what the hell?''
Jaden scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, but then just beamed at him.
''Well, I wanted to be the first one to congratulate you! I'm so happy you get to see the Pro League! Take a lot of pictures for me, okay?''
''I'm not sure if I'm even going'', he admitted, watching Jaden's joy dissolve into confusion.
''Wha-? But Chazz, this is your chance! Why wouldn't you want to go?''
Chazz was about to reply when he suddenly felt the younger boy's arms around him, hugging him tightly.
It was a purely impulsive action that Jaden did a lot, yet it somehow felt good in this situation.
''You'll regret not going. You don't have to do it for your brothers, just do it for yourself. Show them that you can succeed without them. You don't need them.''
''I...'' Chazz wanted to disagree, but then stopped himself to think about Jaden's words.
He had always been told that he was useless on his own and could only succeed in life when he worked together with his brothers to control the worlds' biggest categories.
To have someone say he was talented on his own was rare, even rarer because Jaden had specifically said he didn't need his brothers, implying that they were holding him back to some extent.
Jaden was obviously thinking very highly of him and he didn't know how to cope with that.
He might always tell himself that he was the greatest at everything he attempted, but in truth, he was only putting up a false front to distract people from his own insecurities.
And the brunette saw that and actively tried to help him get over that.
The brunette believed in his abilities... but did he believe in them himself?
Did he believe in his self-worth?
''You're overthinking, stop'', Jaden suddenly said, his face taking on an unusual stern expression. ''Don't think too much about it and just go. You've earned it. Promise me you'll do it.''
''Okay'', Chazz agreed, a smile forming on his lips as he brought a hand up to ruffle through the brown hair.
It felt like Jaden knew what was best for him without him having that knowledge himself.
Why was this boy always looking out for him even when he had done nothing for him in return?
He should really work on showing his appreciation a little more.
Starting now.
''Promise.''
Chazz could immediately tell his presence was not well received when he entered the dueling arena where a photoshoot was scheduled for the duelists.
There were at least one dozen of them coming from all over Japan and its dueling schools.
Since everyone had been chosen by lot just like him, there was a wide variety of different students present, but the pro duelists stood out from the crowd because of their extremely fasionable and elegant clothing.
They stared everyone down who dared to even look at them for too long and scoffed at everyone they believed to be under their standard.
In other words, literally everyone.
It was like some childish clique of bullies that existed at every school and Chazz was reminded once again of how awful and snobbish he must have been back in Obelisk Blue.
One reason more to never go back to his old self. And to get his brothers out of his head for good.
Starting now.
He took a deep breath and decided to stand somewhere close to the entrance so that he wasn't in the pro duelists' direct field of vision.
He wasn't afraid of giving them a piece of his mind if they talked shit about him, but he didn't feel like getting close to them right now.
''Alright, thank you all for coming!'', the photographer said as he came into the arena, briefly greeting the crowd of duelists. ''Today's photos will appear in Domino's magazine Duelist, so I want everyone to do their very best, okay?''
Most of the students applauded, but Chazz saw that the pro duelists were just quietly laughing, raising their voices as the applause subsided.
''Well, we'll do our best, but these rookies will probably mess everything up.''
The way they spat the word was enough to make a few people flinch, yet somehow, this went over the photographer's head as he nodded towards a stage that had been set up solely for this photoshoot.
''Group A, let's go on there!''
The first group got on the stage and Chazz dully noted two of the pros who were purposely walking into a smaller duelist, making him stumble over his own feet as he attempted to climb the stairs.
Chazz was about to say something when the photographer got into position and gave his instructions.
''Your theme is 'smile!'. To get into it a bit, close your eyes for a second.''
Even though it was clearly directed at the others, the young Princeton ended up also closing his eyes.
''Now imagine something beautiful, something you look forward to.''
A picture of Jaden appeared in his mind and before he knew it, he was already smiling.
Yes, he was looking forward to seeing Jaden. He always was.
He just never admitted it.
''Yes, perfect, smile just like that! Keep on smiling, but look at me! Yes, that's it!''
It wasn't aimed at him, he could keep his eyes closed for a little longer.
The truth was, he just wanted to look at Jaden a little longer, even if it was only in his mind.
That smile of his... That smile that was brighter than the sun itself and warmed his heart...
He wanted to smile like that today.
And he would put all of his admiration and appreciation in it, so Jaden could finally see the effect he had on him when he saw the pictures.
This would be his way of showing his feelings.
And Jaden would understand them.
After all, what good were words when a smile said it all?