Welcome to 'Gone Crazy: GX Style.' I figured I'd give the GX series a shot. Haven't seen a whole awful lot, so they'll probably be OOC but hey, I learn by writing...& the occasional review. Also, don't really know any names except the dubs, so...

Because I can't help but apply at least a little teeny bit of Seto's overprotective "older-brotherness" to Zane.

Old Habits Die Hard

"Zane?"

The elder twitched slightly.

"What is it Syrus?"

It was seldom the Truesdale brothers spent any time together. Syrus liked a little time with his big brother now and then, even if all it was was the two sitting near each other at the top of a cliff while Zane read and he either read or flipped through his deck or just got lost in thought. At least he wasn't so intimidated by the other at times like this. Which probably had something to do with why he was bringing this up now.

As much as Sy hated to break the moment, there were a couple of things he felt he just had to ask his older brother.

"Why don't you call me 'Sy' anymore?"

That wasn't the important one.

"And why don't we ever spend any time together anymore except like this?"

That wasn't either.

Well, actually, Sy supposed both questions were important to him, they just weren't the critical issue at the time being.

Zane sighed, "because Syrus, things are different here."

"And I ruin you reputation?"

Zane didn't answer.

"So Zane, um... If--if I told you I liked someone, uh..."

The book snapped shut.

"What do you mean 'like'?"

Zane's voice had taken on a more menacing tone, but it didn't seem directed at Syrus, so the younger continued.

"Um, well, I g-guess you c-could call it a crush."

Much as he hated to admit it, Zane's 'older brother instinct' was going into overdrive. His little brother, his Sy, had a crush. One question sprang forward in his mind:

"On?"

Sy fidgeted, and wouldn't meet his gaze. Never a good sign.

"Well?" Zane prompted.

"Um, well, o-on J-Jaden."

Zane deflated. Jaden? Jaden Yuki! The kid was nothing but trouble! How could his sweet, innocent little brother do this to him?

"Um, Zane?"

"What?"

Shit. He hadn't meant to snap like that. Syrus looked a little upset, but kept going anyway.

"A-are you mad?"

He thought about that a minute. Well, no, he reasoned to himself. He wasn't really mad. After all, getting mad at Sy for this would be unfair and hypocritical. You like who you like, whether you want to or not. Zane knew that all too well. Damned gorgeous, frustratingly beautiful, magnificent troublemaker.

Simply, Sy liked Jaden, and Jaden was trouble. At least he knew that the brunette was a hooligan. Zane didn't feel like worrying about 'ifs.' Besides, Zane also didn't feel like being a complete and utter hypocrite. After all, who he liked looked like an angel and acted fairly demonic.

"No Syrus, I'm not mad."

The younger sighed in relief. He didn't want to make his older brother angry.

"Jaden."

"Huh? Oh. Yes."

Sy was suddenly worried Zane might change his mind.

"I guess I can deal with that. For now at least."

That was the widest he'd seen his little brother smile in a long time.

"Thanks Zane."

"Whatever."

'You're welcome Sy.'

Damn, some habits died hard.

owari

Have had this one written for a while now...just never bothered to post it...