A/N:... So apparently I still haven't gotten back into my writing mood, and while the words are in my head it's just very hard to get motivated. BUT HERE'S MY NEXT TRY-
I've also finally started drafting more chapters for season 2 of "Tomorrow" so... yeah. That'll happen... whenever I manage to force myself to write. I blame all the essays.
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The Miwa family was, not to his surprise, very welcoming.
Taishi - as he'd been pushed to start calling the older boy - was as cheerful as he seemed at first glance. He talked the entire trip to his home, even when Leon didn't feel the need to answer him. Well, he was used to having people talk around him.
His mother was every bit as happy as her son when she saw Leon, squealing something about him fitting right in like a second son. He was unable to do anything but glance dumbly at Taishi, who shrugged and whispered a "It's normal" when the woman wasn't looking. She immediately showed him to his room - a small room, probably originally a guest room, judging by the lack of furniture - and helped him unpack while Taishi went to prepare dinner.
When his father arrived home sometime around seven, he was a little more reserved, greeting Leon formally before joining them at the table. It was a little awkward, eating with other people - back home, you ate where you pleased, though he spent that time with the twins wherever they felt like eating - but soon he was pulled into conversation as quickly as he'd left the island.
It was almost too much to process.
They'd also insisted he join them in the living room for a movie, which was apparently a tradition for their family on that specific day of the week. His image of them as a happy, normal family was quickly shattered when Taishi immediately broke out the slasher films, which Leon was just barely able to sit through. He probably wouldn't be sleeping tonight.
His opinion of the other boy also changed quite a bit later that night.
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"So how are you handling things?" Taishi asked from his seat on the bed.
Leon had been seated on the floor, looking through the Neo Nectar deck Takuto provided him. He thought it'd be best to familiarize himself with their skills before the Circuit began, although he knew that by then he'd be asked to use Aqua Force. But there were going to be smaller tournaments and events they'd be using to get his name out, of which he'll be known for using Neo Nectar...
"As well as I am everything else." He said absently, picking through the cards. He'd refrained from scattering them across the carpet like he wanted to, deciding to take better care of what would soon be his main deck. Takuto had mentioned possible alterations after a few matches, but those won't be happening for a while... "I can't seem to think straight, but something like this should clear up with time, right?"
"Depends on what you mean by 'something like this'." Taishi replied, then hummed. Leon could feel his gaze, but he didn't turn around. If the older boy wanted to know something, he could ask, and Leon would answer him.
It wasn't like he didn't want to be friends, at least. He was willing to open up a little.
"So," There was shifting, and he imagined it was Taishi leaning forward. "I heard a bit from Tatsunagi, but what are you really here for?"
Maybe not too open, if he was going to start conversations like that.
"... Define 'really here for'." His reply was a short laugh, and when he finally turned around he saw that Taishi had switched to leaning back, using his arms as support. "Is something wrong?" The blond waved it off.
"Nothing, you just sounded like someone I know." He opened his eyes - they'd closed while he was laughing - and gave Leon a smile. "I mean, what's the reason you're here? Tatsunagi said something about the Circuit and how you've lived pretty isolated, but that just means you have another reason for suddenly rejoining the world, right?"
He wasn't sure if it made sense or not, but Taishi might have been on to something.
"Does it count as 'rejoining' if I was never part of it in the first place?" He said. He didn't intend for it to sound as pathetic as it did, but Taishi winced, apparently understanding what he meant.
"No, I guess not." He sighed heavily. "But really; what's up?"
"..."
He weighed his options silently, while keeping eye contact. On one hand, he could tell Taishi everything. He had a feeling the blond wouldn't tell anyone else if he asked him not to, but at the same time he wasn't sure how it would affect their future relationship.
On the other hand, Taishi probably wouldn't mind if he decided to stay quiet. He gave off the air of someone who knew when to give you space, but that only made Leon want to tell him more.
His choice was obvious. Might as well be honest.
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A/N: I found something on my hand that could be a splinte- oh, nope, that's a smudge. Oh well.
So I have no idea how long this chapter is but... I need to finish that other chapter and get to sleep. Because I have not been getting enough of it.
