Author's Notes: (whispers: egao)


Saturday.

Though Crow always wakes with the sun, somehow, the light filtering through the windows isn't enough to convince him to get out of bed today. Not having to make any deliveries over the weekend isn't exactly motivating him to get up, either. Turning over, Crow pulls the covers around him, intending to return to sleep, before his gaze lands on the calendar on his bedside table.

A date - today's - is circled in red.

"It's that time already?" All desire to laze around instantly evaporates. Stretching, Crow hauls himself out of bed, reluctantly getting changed out of his sleep clothes and brushing his teeth. Splashing water on his face is enough to wake him up, and he ambles downstairs to find Jack already seated at the communal table, drinking instant coffee out of his teacup.

"You're late!" Jack says by way of greeting. "I've been waiting for breakfast."

Oh come on. "Why do I have to make you breakfast? Can't you make it yourself?" A memory wafts to the front of his mind. Waking up to a burning smell. Putting out a kitchen fire. Scraping lumps of charcoal off one of their better pans. Crow cringes. "Actually, never mind. I'll do it." He vaults the stairs' railing and meanders over to the kitchen, putting on the apron with a sigh. "You're so demanding, you know that?"

Crow tunes out Jack's haughty reply with practised ease, rifling through their fridge. What do they even have anyway? The egg carton's looking a bit empty, and it looks like they're running short on fresh vegetables. Crow's brow creases when he comes across an unfamiliar package. Pulling it out, Crow reads the label. "Buten pork sausage? When did we get this?" Isn't this one of the pricy brands?

"It was a gift," Jacks voice cuts in from the other room. "Only the best in return for my aid."

Huh. I guess Jack can be useful sometimes.

Crow doesn't bother checking the expiry; when you've eaten anything and everything in the old Satellite, you grow an iron stomach. Pork's kind of extra expensive, so Crow's not about to let it go to waste. Besides, Jack'll want his contribution to be noticed, so ignoring it isn't an option unless he wants to put up with a bunch of hint dropping all day.

So... sausages. Hm. If he uses the rest of the eggs, he can make some rolled scrambled eggs. Maybe he can use the last of the carrots in miso? And if he makes toast to go with that, that should be enough to last the morning. Yeah, he's definitely gonna need to do a food run later or they won't have anything for dinner.

Breakfast planned, Crow sets about cooking, humming tunelessly as he moves about their kitchen. It doesn't take him long to finish, setting aside a portion for Yusei and covering it with a lid so flies don't get in it. Bringing his and Jack's share to the table, Crow doesn't miss Jack's appreciative sniff after he's turned away to hang the apron back where it belongs.

Thankfully, breakfast is good enough to keep even the King quiet. In fact, Crow's the first one to speak after he's finished devouring all the food on his plate. "Whatever you did to get those sausages, could you do it again?" Crow looks forlornly at his empty plate, wishing it wasn't. "Those were amazing."

"I refuse! They were given by a little old lady." Jack turns up his nose at the prospect. "A king does not take advantage of the generosity of the elderly!"

Says the freeloader! "Do you even know how much Buten pork costs normally!?" Crow groans, and hopes these sausages don't get added to the growing list of food Jack is addicted to. He can't afford to keep feeding Jack what he wants on the money he makes! "You're right, though." Crow rocks on the back two legs of his chair, slurping the rest of his soup. "It wouldn't feel right bumming food off some grandma."

Since he's finished his breakfast first, Crow leaves the table to dump his dishes in the sink, splashing some water on his greasy plate and in his empty bowl before leaving them there alongside his cutlery; he'll wash up later. Instead, he rinses his hands, wipes them on his pants and strides out of the kitchen to pull the cover off Blackbird.

Jack looks up from his coffee. "Hm? You're going somewhere?"

"Yeah." He crouches and lifts the garage door, pushing it up all the way. "It's the first Saturday of the month, you know?"

Jack might be a real jerk sometimes, but Jack knows exactly what that means. "I suppose even you're free to do what you want with your time," Jack concedes, taking another sip from his teacup as Crow hops onto Blackbird's seat.

"If Yusei's not up by the time you're done, put his share in the fridge, yeah?"

Jack just grunts, which Crow takes as agreement.

Crow slips on his helmet and releases Blackbird's stand, her engine roaring to life once his Duel Disk is slotted in. Revving unnecessarily - prompting an indignant shout from Zora - Crow grins and shoots out the garage like a bullet from a gun, wheels screeching on the pavement.

There's nothing like riding to put him in a good mood.

After zipping down three streets, Crow mentally plots a route from Neo Domino City to Satellite. Though it would be faster if he shopped in the City, Satellite businesses need the money more. There's still a bunch of places that are still kinda run down, and despite all the hardship that came with living in Satellite, Crow's proud to have lived through it, and he'll do what he can to support his home.

One run of the highways later, Crow pulls up a block away from the street markets and parks in one of the side alleys, engaging her stun module. Crow hasn't had to worry about Blackbird getting stolen for a long time, but he'd rather not make her an obvious target; people can still damage her frame once they figure out stealing her isn't a smart idea.

Crow makes an immediate beeline for a flower stall, lifting his arm in a lazy wave when he spots the shopkeeper. "Yo, Daisy!"

She immediately turns her head and shoots him a bright smile. "Hello! Ummm..." Daisy taps her cheek with a finger. "Crow, was it?"

Crow grins, sauntering over. "Finally, you've got my name right. No more Ravens or Robins or some other bird." He shoots her an exasperated look. "Sheesh, it's only taken you a year!"

The girl blushes, looking down at the flowers she'd been arranging for her shop. "Um, well... My friends are big Duelling fans. They're still talking about how Team 5D's won the WRGP." She mumbles, "I, um. Didn't realise you were part of the team until now."

"Wow, so a guy's gotta win a major Duelling tournament before you'll remember his name?" Crow puts his hands on his hips. "Setting the bar kinda high, aren't you?"

Her expression immediately pinches as she protests. "No! I just..."

Crow laughs, waving a hand. "I'm just teasing, Daisy." He nods at the flowers on display. "Could I get a bunch?"

"Oh, yes! Just a moment." Daisy slips her flowers into a vase before she turns and disappears through the door leading to the shop's back room. Crow raises an eyebrow. He doesn't have to wait long before she returns with a bouquet wrapped in purple. He can't say he knows enough to name the pink, orange and yellow flowers, but they look good. "Here," she says with a smile, holding it out. "I knew you were coming, so I had one ready."

"Hey, thanks." Accepting the bouquet, Crow tucks it in the crook of one arm while he fishes out his roll of notes from his pockets. One day, he'll get a wallet. Pulling the appropriate amount of cash from the roll, he presses the notes into Daisy's waiting hand. "Keep the change."

She doesn't protest, nodding before curling her hand around the notes. "So, um, Crow?"

"Hm? What is it?"

"I've always wondered... Who are the flowers for?"

"These?" Crow glances down at the bouquet in his arm, a small smile crossing his face. Memories flicker to the front of his mind. The smiles and cheers of children when their electronics light up after hours of toil. Being allowed to ride Blackbird for the first time. Fragile hope that had slowly bloomed in place of the depression he'd harboured ever since he'd left Team Satisfaction. "They're for someone important."

"Huh?" Daisy tilts her head and taps a finger to her chin. "A sweetheart?"

Crow shakes his head, chuckling. "Oh no. Nothing like that. He gave my life meaning and direction when I was lost and confused. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for him. I owe him a lot." His gaze dips to the flowers clasped in his arm. "I think he would've been happy if could see Satellite now."

"Ah... I see. All this time, I thought..." She smiles, a soft expression that reaches all the way to her eyes. "I'm glad I can help, even a little bit." Daisy laughs, a quiet thing. "But now that you've said that, my friends are going to pester me so much for your number now."

Crow lets out a short bark of laughter. "Tell your friends I'm not interested unless they can handle my rowdy kids."

Daisy's mouth forms an 'o' of surprise. "Do you really have kids?"

Raising an eyebrow, he says, "What, you never read the articles on Team 5D's? They were all over the papers and magazines when the WRGP was going!" When she shakes her head, he continues with a wry grin, "You should ask your friends to give you a copy some time. Anyway," Crow raises his free hand in a lazy wave, "Thanks again for picking these out. I'll see you next time, Poppy."

Daisy's cheeks puff up. "That's not my name!"

He runs away from the stall, laughing, before she can chase him with a broomstick.

Crow only slows to a leisurely trot once he reaches the side alley where he'd left Blackbird. He's about to stash the flowers in Blackbird's storage compartment when a familiar red D-Wheel pulls up on front of him. "Yusei!" he exclaims when his friend takes off his helmet and shakes out his hair into its usual spiky shape. What's he doing here? "Jack didn't eat your breakfast, did he?"

Yusei shakes his head. "I wasn't hungry. I'll eat later."

After he went to the effort of making him some? This guy. Crow sighs. He supposes a few more hours won't change anything if it's already cold. Anyway, "What's up?"

"You're going to see Pearson, right?" Crow looks up from bundling himself onto Blackbird - his arms full of flowers - straight into Yusei's earnest face. Crow's been doing this every month ever since Daedalus Bridge had been completed, but Yusei had never said anything until now. Yusei's expression is hard to read, even after Crow raises his eyebrow. "I'm coming with you."

Crow shrugs, grins, and says, "Only if you can keep up!" and doesn't ask Yusei why.

Together, they dodge traffic along the coastline and miraculously don't get picked up for it, slowing once they pass through the gates of Neo Domino's memorial site. Crow leads the way to Pearson's grave, the route memorised to the point he could probably navigate the memorial with his eyes shut. Once they pull up, Crow takes off his helmet and takes the bouquet of flowers from Blackbird's storage compartment. Yusei keeps his distance as Crow strides forwards.

It's a little weird doing this with an audience again, but he knows Yusei won't judge him for it.

Crow kneels by Pearson's grave, placing his bouquet of flowers on the marker. His fingers trace the engraved letters of Pearson's name, as if the action somehow makes Pearson's memory more real. There's no body under the headstone; what died in the old Satellite stayed in Satellite. The existence of the grave marker only exists because of Bolger, even though he'd been the one to kill their dear friend in the first place. As much as Crow wants to be angry at Bolger, the regret he'd seen in Bolger's eyes after their duel just makes him feel sorry for the guy instead. It's hard to look Bolger in the eye, knowing what he did, but Crow makes time to visit Bolger anyway; he's already had one friend die alone in prison.

"Hey," he begins, pressing his palm firmly against the warm stone. Can you hear me, Pearson? "A whole lot's happened since the last time we talked. I don't know where to start." The whole deal with Yliaster and Ark Cradle and Z-one just exhausts him thinking about it. In the end, he supposes they're not things Pearson would want to hear about. "The kids are safe and smiling every day. You don't have to worry." Crow smiles, warmth curling in his chest. "They're doing well in school," ain't that a hoot? School had always seemed out of their reach, barely two years ago, "and they're having fun. It's hard, but they're doing their best." He rubs at the corner of his eye. "They have so much to look forward to, now. I wish you could see their happy smiles."

He rocks back onto his heels, lifting his hand from Pearson's gravestone. "Anyway, today I brought a friend. His name's Yusei. You remember last time he was here along with Jack, don't you?" When they'd first met, Crow hadn't heard of Pearson, but Pearson had heard of Team Satisfaction. Pearson had been a patient listener, and surprisingly non-judgemental for an adult. He'd accepted Crow's help, no questions asked. Pearson had really understood what it was like for a kid to grow up in Satellite. "You would've liked to meet Yusei. He ended up being the first to make a D-Wheel completely out of materials from Satellite, all on his own."

"I had friends helping me." Crow nearly jumps in surprise when he finds Yusei crouched beside him. When had he moved!? He hadn't heard his friend's approach at all.

"Sorry for not being able to meet you," Yusei says quietly, placing his hand on the gravestone. "From the way Crow spoke about you, I know he thought the world of you. Thank you for looking after him for us."

The heat instantly rises to Crow's cheeks. "Yusei..." he sputters.

Yusei either doesn't see his reaction, or pays it no attention, as he continues, "He's been trying hard. He must have been lost without you." Crow straightens, brow pinched at the odd addition from Yusei, openly peering at his friend. Yusei smiles, a muted sadness furrowing his brow. "But he'll be okay. You've been helping him move forward all this time, haven't you?"

Crow doesn't say anything about the pair of cracked, dark glasses gripped rightly in Yusei's right hand.

After a suitably long moment of silence, Crow straightens and shoots a two finger salute to the grave. "Later, Pearson. I'll visit again."

As he hops onto Blackbird, Crow watches Yusei dust off his knees and stand. "Hey, Yusei," he calls, leaning against one of Blackbird's arms, a hand resting on his helmet. "Want me to give you a yell next time I come 'round here?"

A pause, before Yusei slowly nods. "Yeah. Thanks." He tucks the glasses away into his jacket. "...That would be great."

"Cool, no problem." Crow slips on his helmet, activating the visor. "I'm gonna go for a food run. We're almost out of stuff that isn't cup ramen. You wanna tag along?"

"Sure."

They make it back to Satellite and the street markets without much incident, fitting in a quick duel along the way. Crow still can't beat Yusei, of course. But it doesn't stop him from grinning and bumping Yusei's fist afterwards.

Now that the morning's in full swing, the street markets are much livelier, with vendors calling their wares. Crow navigates the markets with practiced ease, mentally plotting a winding, but efficient route through the stores that'll get them everything they need until the next shopping run. It doesn't take long for the number of bags Crow's carrying to build up, and given the presence of an additional pair of hands, Crow wastes no time in turning Yusei into his obliging pack mule.

Hm. They probably have enough cup ramen to last another week, so he can wait for a possible sale later. He does have a little extra money this week, so maybe he can get something that's usually a little too pricy to have regularly. Ah, but he needs to save up for the kids' books for the next school year...

Crow catches Yusei's discomfited expression as he trails behind Crow, looking out of place. Both Jack and Yusei only buy instant junk they can get from street vendors, so he's not entirely surprised Yusei's a bit lost when it comes to stuff that's not wrapped in plastic and labelled. Still, it's not like him to be so fidgety. Eventually, Crow can't take it anymore and turns to flick Yusei in the forehead - "ow!" - before asking him, an eyebrow raised, "Do you have ants in your pants or something? What's gotten into you?"

"Ah. It's..." Yusei looks down. "I've been talking with Jeager."

"Huh? That clown? What for?"

He raises his head and looks Crow in the eyes, focused. "He's arranging for me to join M.I.D.S. so I can develop something to stop Momentum from going out of control like it did in Z-one's future."

"Oh, that's all?" Crow thumps Yusei heavily on the back with his free hand, sending Yusei stumbling forward a step. "Good for you, man!" He grins, pointing out a cut of beef for the butcher to weigh and wrap. "You'll finally be a respectable member of society."

"What we're already doing is respectable..." Yusei mumbles, before saying, more audibly, "I was a bit sceptical of the job offer..." Crow holds up a hand in a say no more gesture; Jeager's not a bad guy, but he can be such a weasel sometimes. Yusei looks a bit relieved at not having to explain and barrels on, a small smile spreading across his face. "Anyway, I had a good read of the contract. It looks solid. There's some flexibility in the working hours, but," Yusei's expression falls and he hunches, "It means I'm not going to be around as much. I hope that's okay."

Knowing Yusei's working habits, Crow won't be surprised if Yusei ends up unintentionally sleeping at the research lab.

Crow fishes in his pockets for his rolled up wad of cash as the butcher calculates his total. "You're gonna do it, right?"

"Yeah. I'm hopeful." There's a slow smile spreading across Yusei's face. "I have a few ideas."

More like a lot. Crow can't quite keep the exasperated smile from his face. Somehow, the amount of paper in the garage has multiplied to the point Crow's wondering if they're breeding somehow. Aren't computers supposed to cut down on this sort of stuff?

He gives the butcher a smile and a wave as she bows - 'Thank you! Please come again!' - before he loops the additional plastic bag over his elbow. "I'm happy for you. Seriously." Crow looks over his shoulder at his friend. "I feel a lot better about the whole deal with Momentum, knowing you'll be at the wheel."

Yusei's smile is like the sun. "...Thanks, Crow."


Author's notes: Next chapter: Offers. Changes that feel like separation, and doors to new pathways are opened.

I just really wanted to write a character who's a regular acquaintance, but doesn't know a thing about the main characters because they're not interested in duelling at all. But for reals, cop stuff starts next update. Thanks for reading!