Author's Notes: Sorry it took so long to update this! Been rather busy... *sigh*

This theme brought to you by waking up at 5:00 in the morning and not being able to fall back asleep. (I do a lot of thinking that early in the morning when I can't sleep, haha.)

WARNING: Spoilers for the real end of the show! To those who have only seen the dub, parts of this may not make sense to you. (Not that I'm knockin' the dub... I watched it too, but stupid 4kids didn't finish dubbing it -.-)

Bit of an angst-y one with implied Faithshipping=) Enjoy!

Theme #40 - Standing Still

Yusei's POV

Everything changes in time, whether or not we want it to. It passes seemingly without us knowing it, yet with us being extremely conscious of it the whole way. If time didn't pass - if it just stood still, then nothing would ever change for the better - or for the worse.

And sometimes I wish it would stop altogether. Yes, even I wish for such things on occasion. Doesn't everyone, after all?

The past. I wish I could go back to when I was younger, innocent, and freeze time there. Sure, that was back when the City and the Satellite were still separate, but, back then, at least I didn't yet know so many of the world's harsh ways.

Back then I didn't know that being a Satellite made me less than human.

Back then I didn't know one friend would betray me and another would falsely call me a traitor.

Back then I didn't know I'd almost give my life - twice - for the very people who despised me.

Back then... Back then.

Half of my heart believes that if I was able, I would go back to the good ol' age of ten - and stay there permanently.

But the other half of me knows I wouldn't be able to allow myself to do so. The other half of me knows what good comes with time.

Back then I didn't know I would help to connect the two halves of the City for the better.

Back then I didn't know I would bring a scared girl out of the dark and help transform her into a beautiful young woman.

Back then I didn't know what friendships I would forge - or repair.

Back then... Back then.

And yet...

And yet there are still moments when I wish time would stand still forever, for I know the pain that comes with the passing of time as well. Moments of fear when I didn't wish to know the outcome of an event. When Kalin's Earthbound Immortal attacked and I knew I was done for. When I went up against Goodwin with a single Life Point left. When I faced Teams Ragnarok and New World in the final rounds of the WRGP. When I faced Z-ONE.

Moments of pain, and those I wish I could do over. When Kalin thought I betrayed him. When Martha was sacrificed to an Earthbound Immortal. When I lost Sherry, and when Bruno sacrificed himself for me.

But moments of great happiness as well do I wish could have lasted even just a moment longer. The celebration of the Daedalus Bridge being completed. The celebration of defeating Aporia in the WRGP finals. The relief of Arc Cradle having been destroyed.

This final moment in the garage with Akiza before she left to study abroad.

That moment I wish could have lasted for all eternity.

Oh, for that moment to have stood still! But time allows no one that luxury. It passes us by with no intention of ever stopping or even slowing for a moment. It passes us by, and there is nothing we can do but watch it go and wish we could have it back again.

Author's Notes: There you have it; a very short, very delayed one-shot.

Reviews=Happy Writer=Motivation=More One-Shots=)