Warnings: possible OoC, Not Beta Read
A/N:
This story will go along with the canon plot up to a certain point (i'm not 100% sure yet to what point exactly), so if you don't like those kind of stories, don't read!
Also, since I'm working on multiple projects and started a new full-time internship, updates will be reeeeeaaaaaallllyyyyyy slow.
Rating may go up as story progresses.
Prologue – The Boy With The Same Face
Yūya finally managed to extract himself from Gongenzaka's hug and put away his Duel Disk stifling a yawn. His friend was still going on about him finally pulling off a Pendulum Summon flawlessly after two hundred seventy failed attempts.
"Let's go home", Yūya muttered as they left the Duelling Room. Glancing at the clock, he groaned. Nearly midnight. He felt like he had been up for days instead of roughly eighteen hours.
"This man, Gongenzaka, will accompany you home to make up for forcing you to train this hard", Gongenzaka responded still slightly emotional.
"Not necessary. I don't live that far way and we both have school tomorrow", Yūya said waving him off. He did feel tired, but he didn't feel like he would collapse any moment.
"Are you sure?" his friend asked sobering up completely.
"Yeah, I'll be fine", Yūya replied as he stretched his sore muscles. Gongenzaka regarded him for a moment before wishing him a good night and left. Yūya locked the door behind him and then walked off as well.
CE
Yūya trudged along the street feeling dead on his feet. He briefly wondered if it was really such a good idea to be walking home alone after midnight, but he really didn't live that far away and this area was a pretty safe one. A yawn tore itself from his mouth. He was only half way home, but he was sure he would make it.
Just when Yūya passed an alleyway, something reacted inside him causing him to stop abruptly. Confused, he turned around looking into all directions. The streets were empty. He was the only one out and about at this ungodly hour. It must have been his imagination. Shaking his head and attributing the occurrence to his tiredness, he turned back into the direction of his home and started to walk.
Or tried to. Yūya's feet didn't move. He tried again. No movement. Again. Still nothing. Frowning he tried to slide his feet along the pavement instead of lifting. He feet were still rooted to the spot refusing to move even a millimetre. He groaned. Why did the weird things always happen to him?
Yūya had barely finished that thought, when his feet finally started to move. Except they didn't move in the direction he wanted them to. Instead they moved towards the alleyway. For minutes he could do nothing more than let his feet take him wherever it was they were going. Whatever had reacted inside him earlier got stronger the more time passed. It felt like he was being pulled towards something. He stopped struggling entirely when the pull became so strong that he felt he might black out from it. It wasn't the same feeling as when he used Pendulum Summon for the first time, but it felt similar.
By now, his surroundings were completely dark and his eyes needed a moment to adjust. He could only make out shapes and shades, but no actual colours. There were no street lights. Suddenly, his feet stopped moving and at first he was confused. There was nothing out of the ordinary here, but the strange feeling, while not a pull anymore, was still there. It felt like there was something really important right in this spot. Then Yūya's eyes fell onto a figure, barely visible due to the dark clothing they seemed to be wearing. Without thinking he rushed to their side.
"Oi, are you all right?" Yūya asked worriedly. No answer. He tried again, shaking the person lightly. Still no reaction. Dread started to fill him.
"Please, don't be dead", Yūya whispered as he put his hands onto the person's shoulders. From there he felt his way to their neck. His hands brushed over some fabric and then he felt metal and hair. It seemed they were wearing a scarf. He tried to remove it, but he couldn't find a knot or something similar. Instead of wasting more time, he lowered his hands to find their chest. When he found it, he pushed the scarf away and absently noted that the person was male judging by the chest's flatness.
Yūya sighed loudly in relief, when he could feel steady and slow movement beneath his hand. It seemed that he was just asleep, but Yūya wondered why he was sleeping in such place. While he couldn't make out the other's exact appearance, he could make out his position and it didn't seem like one anyone would willingly sleep in. Not even in the streets. Yūya started to have the suspicion that he might have collapsed.
Another sigh left Yūya. What was he supposed to do? The normal thing to do would be to call the police. They would probably be able to identify this person. However, for some reason Yūya felt like that would be a very bad idea in this case. He wasn't sure why, but everything within him was against the idea. But he couldn't just leave him here either. The only other option remaining was to take him home.
"Gah!" Yūya exclaimed as he violently ruffled his own hair. Why did the weird things always happen to him. He eyes the unconscious boy for a moment. Well, he assumed it was boy since he seemed to be around the same height as he himself was.
Heaving another sigh, Yūya got down to work. It took him a while, since the boy seemed to be wearing a cloak, but eventually he managed to get him onto his back. Once he was sure the boy wouldn't fall off, he turned into the direction he had come from. He only hoped he would be able to find his way back, since he hadn't paid that much attention to his surroundings while his feet had had their own will. He had been more worried about what was going on.
CE
An hour later, Yūya sunk into the desk chair having changed into a comfortable track suit by now and exhaled a strong breath in exhaustion. His mother had thankfully been already asleep and he had somehow managed to get into his room without making too much noise. His eyes strayed to the boy lying on his bed.
Yūya had removed the red scarf and black cloak, which were now lying on his desk neatly folded, while the shoes were beneath his desk. His remaining outfit consisted of a green formal shirt, a dark blue tie and black trousers. His neck and wrists were adorned with wristbands and a choker respectively, all black with silver studs, and a red cloth was tied around his right upper arm hiding the lower part of the shirt's sleeve underneath it. He had mostly black hair with amethyst bangs. The most striking features, however, were the mask and military-style goggles, which were hiding the boys face.
Yūya had debated for quite some time whatever he should remove them. In the end he didn't want to intrude into the boys privacy and there was probably a good reason he was concealing his face. The thought of the boy being dangerous had passed his mind for a moment, but he had quickly dismissed the thought. He couldn't explain why, but he was completely sure that this boy was no threat to him.
Slumping in his chair, Yūya ran a hand through his hair removing his own goggles in the process. He also refused to take of the other boy's goggles because he felt like he wanted the other to trust him. This weird intuition was driving him up the wall, but he couldn't help but listen to it. Up until now, his intuition had always lead him to the right choices. He had to admit, though, that it had never been accompanied by such strange feelings, which was what made it weird.
The Entertainment Duellist heaved another sigh, something he had been doing a lot recently, and let his eyes trace the boy's still form. It was then that he noticed a small red stain on the blanket beneath the boy's left arm. He leant forward and gently pulled the blanked down to the boys abdomen. With a sniff he identified it as blood. It wasn't much, so the wound couldn't be too big.
Rolling up the sleeve, Yūya discovered a long gash that was still slightly bleeding. It wasn't deep enough to be life threatening, even if it wasn't bandaged or stitched. He knew from experience. However, the wound was dirty, which could become life threatening if an infection was allowed to spread. With one hand he held the boy's arm above the mattress, while he used the other to feel the boy's forehead. A fever had already developed.
A few minutes later, Yūya sat on the chair with a bowl of cold water and ice cubes, a folded cloth, bandages, swabs, antiseptic and and antibiotic ointment. He soaked the swabs with the antiseptic and dabbed them along the gash. The boy didn't even stir. It was probably the fever in combination with exhaustion. Once he was done with disinfecting and cleaning the wound he gently rubbed in some of the ointment and bandaged it. Then he soaked the cloth in the cold water, wrung it and placed it onto the boy's forehead.
From the looks of it, he would remain up for the rest of the night. He also entertained the thought of skipping school, if his guest didn't regain consciousness until morning or if he couldn't be left alone for other reasons. He gave his clock a side glance. Five hours until he had to decide.
CE
Yūya was sitting at his desk and working in his Deck in an attempt to keep himself awake, when his guest moved for the first time. Immediately, he put down his cards and switched to sitting on his bed. He was barely seated, when a groan, muffled by the mask, escaped the boy. He seemed to be waking up.
He reached for the boy's shoulder, but before he could make contact the boy's uninjured arm shot up and wrapped around his wrist. A moment later, Yūya could feel the boy's piercing stare, even though he couldn't see his eyes through the tinted glasses of his goggles.
Sitting completely still, Yūya kept his eyes on the boy letting his concern show freely knowing that he had to be careful about actions and words from here on lest the boy might attack him or make a run for it. The latter was something he did not want to occur. He was still injured and while the fever had gone down, it was still there. To Yūya it felt like hours passed, but in actually only a few minutes had passed when the boy loosened his hold on Yūya's wrist. He didn't let go, though, nor did he avert his gaze.
"My name is Sakaki Yūya. I found you unconscious in an alleyway and took you home with me", Yūya told him keeping his voice gentle and friendly. At first there was no reaction, but after a few seconds his wrist was released. The eyes still remained on him. He couldn't blame the boy. He would be just as careful if he was in the same situation. And probably panic unlike the boy, who gave off an air of calmness. It made the Entertainment Duellist curious. Just who was this boy?
Yūya was brought out of his musings by the boy trying to sit up. Without hesitation he shifted his position in order to help him sit up being mindful of the injured arm. The boy hissed when he moved it.
"Don't move it too much. There's a slash on your upper arm. I cleaned and bandaged it, but it'll probably still hurt for a few days", Yūya gently scolded him. The boy shifted slightly in discomfort. Or at least Yūya assumed it was discomfort.
"Do you want something to drink?" he asked. The boy stayed silent and at first he thought he wouldn't get and answer, but then the boy nodded. Yūya rearranged the pillow to allow his guest to sit without his assistance. Then he reached for the bottle and one of the beakers on his desk. He filled the beaker and turned back to his guest.
To Yūya's surprise, the boy was in the middle of detaching the strap of his mask on his left side. A moment later, he pulled the mask of and put it onto the bed. Yūya hadn't expected the boy to allow him to see more of his face just like that.
Getting over his surprise, Yūya handed the beaker to the boy, who took it with his good arm. He watched with curiosity as the boy sipped the water. He got the feeling that the boy was trying to hold back from chucking the whole content down in one go and concluded that the boy had at least already experienced a similar situation. Yūya took his own beaker. The next few minutes were spent in silence and both of them sipping on their water.
When the boy was done with his drink, he handed the beaker back to Yūya, who put it on the table and took the bottle to refill it.
"Yūto."
Yūya's head whipped around so fast he thought it was a miracle it didn't break. He stared at the boy in shock not noticed that the water was overflowing.
"My name. It's Yūto", the boy explained fixing his gaze on the other. Yūya's mouth dropped open as he continued to stare at the boy, no, Yūto. Yūya wasn't sure what shocked him more. Yūto speaking or telling him his name. When his brain finally caught up with the situation, he realised that he was staring rather rudely. Instantly, he closed his mouth averting his eyes. He could practically feel his face turning red.
Yūto chuckled, apparently finding his reaction amusing, causing Yūya's blush to deepen. Despite the embarrassment, Yūya had to admit to himself that he liked the sound of Yūto's voice and chuckle. It suited him.
"Thank you", Yūto stated, making Yūya look up in surprise, and after a slight moment added, "for helping me, even though I'm a complete stranger to you."
"Well, I couldn't just leave you there", Yūya responded still blushing lightly. Yūto's lips curved into the beginnings of a smile. Then he reached up and removed his goggles. Once again, Yūya could only stare in shock.
"That... how... ?" Yūya tried to articulate himself, but his thoughts were in disarray. How was this possible?
"Surprised?" Yūto asked gentle. Yūya could only nod.
"I was, too, when I woke up earlier. It's not everyday you meet a stranger who shares the same face", Yūto told him with a gentle smile. Before anymore conversation could take place, Yūto's stomach rumbled. This time it was Yūya who chuckled and Yūto's cheeks that were dusted in a light pink. Yūya reached into one of his desk drawers and pulled out two apples and a bag of rice crackers. He handed them to Yūto.
"It's not much, but it should get you through until breakfast", Yūya said with a sheepish smile. Yūto opened the bag of rice crackers and sniffed it. Yūya's curiosity sparked again. It wasn't really a case of extreme paranoia. Hell, he would be careful, too, if he woke in a stranger's bed after collapsing on the streets. But there was something about his look-alike that made him suspect that there was a lot more to his behaviour.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you", Yūto stated pulling Yūya out of his musings. The Entertainment Duellist blinked in surprise before he understood what the other meant. Apparently his curiosity and confusion must have shown on his face.
"You didn't offend me. I'm just curious. I understand that it is natural to be cautious when waking up in a stranger's house, but I, well, get the feeling that there is more to it", Yūya explained carefully hoping he didn't say anything wrong. Apparently, he did. He immediately felt guilty when he watched Yūto's hands clench and a frown making it's way onto his face.
"I'm sorry", Yūya mumbled averting his eyes in shame. Why couldn't he just have kept his mouth shut? He heard Yūto sigh. He couldn't really tell if it was a annoyed sigh or something else.
"It's fine", Yūto said, voice heavy. Yūya carefully lifted his eyes and was met with an expression he didn't really like. Sadness didn't suit him.
"You couldn't have known. Life just hasn't been easy for me lately", Yūto continued. Yūya could easily tell that it wasn't a comfortable topic for the other and decided to not enquire anymore despite his curiosity. Perhaps Yūto would tell him one day, when he's more comfortable with him and Yūya proves that he can be trusted. They spent the next half hour in an awkward silence as Yūto munched on the food he had received and Yūya looking everywhere but his guest.
"You know", Yūya spoke finally breaking the silence, "if you don't have a place to stay, you could stay here. I'm sure mom won't have any problems with it."
Yūto looked at him perplexed, not having expected this offer. It also took him a moment to make sure he had heard right. Yūya, on the other hand, was slightly embarrassed, but also hoped his look-alike would take him up on the offer. He was really curious and wanted to know more about him.
"I don't th – " Knocking on the door interrupted whatever Yūto was about to say.
"Yūya, it's time for school. If you don't get up you'll definitively be late!" a female voice called from the other side of the door. Yūto assumed that it belonged to Yūya's mother. Yūya's eyes widened in alarm. His head whipped around to look at his clock. He had exactly ten minutes to get changed and eat something.
"I'll be right down, Kā-san! Just let me get changed!" Yūya called back confirming Yūto's assumption. He ran over to his closet and pulled out his usual outfit.
"Is everything all right? You usually don't lock the door", Yōko asked, her voice slightly muffled through the door.
"Yeah, I just didn't want the pets accidentally waking me up last night!" Yūya answered loudly as he pulled off his clothes scattering them on the floor and mentally cursed himself for not paying attention to the time. Yuzu was going to kill him if he was late.
"I'll put your bento on the table. I'm leaving now and meeting with a friend", his mother explained.
"Okay, Kā-san! Have fun and see you tonight!" Yūya yelled as he nearly tripped over his boxer shorts while pulling on his trousers. He threw on the rest of his clothes, put his Deck back into his Duel Disk, which ended up in its usual spot in his left trouser side pocket, and grabbed his school bag. Then he unlocked his bedroom door, dashed downstairs and outside before back-pedalling and snatching his lunch. On the way back out, he jumped over Core, slammed the door shut, locked it and took off towards school at the fastest speed possible.
CE
Back in Yūya's room, Yūto was still staring the door with a mix of amusement and bewilderment. The amusement was winning out by a tiny amount, though. He allowed himself to rest for a few more minutes listening to the sounds of the house. When he was sure that no other humans remained within the house, he threw off the blanket and sat on the edge of the bed.
Yūto took a deep breath and stood up. No dizziness. That was a good sign in his opinion. He bent down, slowly to avoid any dizziness, and slipped on his shoes. Then he proceeded to gather his other clothes and redress. By the time his mask and goggles were in place, he was moving at normal speed. He still felt slightly tired and exhausted, but otherwise he felt fine.
With a last glance around the room to make sure he had everything, Yūto made his way over to the window. It was unlocked, so all he had to do was slide it open. He climbed onto the windowsill and was ready to jump off, his good arm loosely holding onto the window pane. He bent his knees, his muscles tensing in preparation, and was about to make the leap. But suddenly he hesitated, his hand strengthening its hold on the window in a knee-jerk reaction to avoid loosing his balance and falling down.
Yūto sighed. Should he really leave like this? Without at least leaving something behind? From his look-alike's behaviour, he would worry himself to death if he just disappeared like that. On the other hand, he didn't want to get Yūya involved in his situation. It was too dangerous. He continued to debate with himself until he gave up trying to go against his intuition.
With a barely audible growl, to express his annoyance with himself, Yūto got off the windowsill and grabbed a piece of paper and a pencil from Yūya's desk. He jotted down a short message and made sure to place it in a way Yūya would see it as soon as he entered the room. Then he turned back to the window, leapt through the window and landed on the grassy ground with a thud. He took a last glance at the house before he made himself scarce wondering if he had made the right decision.
CE
I hope you enjoyed. Constructive criticism is always welcome and feel free to point out any spelling/grammar mistakes.
Yū