It's dark here.
Lonely. Cold…exhausting.
I don't want to be tired anymore.
But at least I'm numb.
Even in this emptiness,
I don't feel so bad.
It beats suffrage any day.
And I sure do prefer it over rage…
Although it's frigid and secluded,
I will accept this isolation with welcoming arms of embrace,
Because something tells me it will be worth it…
If I simply hold on.
"Mana! Soak a rag in hot salt water and place it in his mouth!"
"Yes, Master!"
"Shada, tighten the leather straps around his body!"
"Yes, Priest Mahad!
"Seto, use your rod to control his ka!"
"At your will."
Screams blistered through the sorcery suite like death hanging in the wind. Bakura's body jerked uncontrollably amongst the stone tablet where he was strapped. He screeched until his throat cracked and his lips bled. The priests and members of the councils couldn't do much except attempt to ease his body, which was reacting to his inner ripping of souls.
"He's in so much pain…" Yugi whimpered at the sight.
"He is at the gods disposal now," Atem stated dryly, worry in his eyes.
"He's going to be okay, right?" Yugi looked up at Atem, frightened as could be.
Atem looked at Yugi's soft eyes, unable to react with a supportive smile or nod. Instead, he looked out to the chaos of the council running around in attempt to ease a thwarting body.
"Of course, the gods know what they are doing," he explained.
As long as they don't kill his body in the process.
"I never told anyone that story," Kaiba muttered, not knowing if his attempt at suppressing his shivers was actually working. "I tried to report him to faculty, but there was nothing they would do."
"But he poisoned you!" Yugi called out.
"He did, but there was no proof of it. I woke up in my bed. No one heard or saw me that night. I even had doctors that I hired run a drug test on me…there was nothing."
"Oh my God…"
"Sometimes, I don't think it even happened."
Kaiba intertwined his fingers, looking down at the ground while attempting to piece things together. Here was this kid, Yugi, who looked uncannily like the beast that made Kaiba's life a living hell, and yet he cared more than anyone did. Despite the fact that Kaiba was kind of an asshole, Yugi still cared to listen.
Now he was involved. A target of Yami, just as Kaiba was.
Someone's gotta put a stop to this thing; we need to make an alliance.
"Yugi…"
"Hm?"
"I don't know what happened to you tonight," Kaiba stated, looking down at his hands. "But somehow, you came out alive, with memory of the situation, and now you have a witness."
"Yeah…"
Kaiba let out a sigh, cracking his knuckles out of habit. "You better watch out."
"Why do you say that?" Yugi asked.
Do I tell him? Is he worth sharing these details with?
If I don't, Yugi might underestimate who he's up against. There's no need for this kid to put himself in danger because of pure fascination.
Kaiba didn't admit it to himself, but part of him wanted to tell Yugi just to get the burden off his back. No one else knew what Kaiba was going through, and it was starting to eat him alive.
"Because… I've been seeing things ever since. Visions. Hallucinations. Nightmares. Sometimes I'll break into a coughing fit, as if I'm choking the same way I was that night…and it tends to happen more now that I live on the fifth floor of this dormitory."
Yugi cringed. "Are you serious?"
"It's the real reason why I was awake tonight."
Kaiba tensed up at the memory of what had happened. He had just fell asleep, and not even an hour later he woke up choking, grasping his neck until it turned red… praying for a breath of air to ease his pain. It was then he heard someone running down the hall, where he opened his door to catch a glimpse of Yugi running into the elevator in a hurry.
"I'm…I'm so sorry…", Yugi sympathized, concern smitten on his face.
I don't need your sympathy, Kaiba cringed inwardly. Hearing tiny little Yugi offer his worry made Kaiba irritated, though he wasn't sure why. Something about this kid pitying someone who was oh so powerful and strong…it was uncalled for, and yet somehow, made the CEO feel so so small.
Kaiba jumped to his feet, not being able to stand the aggravation he implanted in himself any longer. "Don't be…it is sure to happen to you too."
You gave your warning, now get out of here, Kaiba told himself, first clenched by his sides as he marched towards the dorm.
"Why don't you leave?" Yugi hollered, causing Kaiba to stop in his tracks. "Why don't you live somewhere else?"
Kaiba's face quivered as a brigade of negative emotions that Yami had evoked in him came to surface. He refused to look at Yugi, not sharing any weakness of his that night. "I can't," he stated, cold as stone.
"Why not?"
Why? Why am I so mad? Kaiba shut his eyes tight, a montage of awful memories playing in his mind playing without permission. "Because…he won't let me."
Oh Yugi…look what he's done to me. Turned a man like me into a mouse…and you're already so small. I promise to look out for you.
For if I don't, nobody will.
()()()()()()()()()
For if I don't, nobody will.
I guess I was wrong.
I would have been the last to guess that the host body of Zorc would be the one to look after you, Yugi. I couldn't have seen that one coming if I tried.
And yet here he is, strapped to a tablet, thwarting like a mad man as his soul is being ripped from his body.
That darkness within him caused me so much pain. And it manifested because of the sins my father committed. Divine punishment, isn't it? I guess it's well deserved.
There is no one left to blame.
And even though there is still hatred in my heart, toning for my other identity…aimed at both Pharaoh and the Thief King….I will conceal it forever. Because no one deserves the rage that still lies within me.
I will take that anger to the grave.
And pray that your presence, Yugi, will expose my own darkness.
"Psst, hey!"
Bakura took his index finger and jabbed it into his peer's skin.
"Wha…Whoa!" The student gasped.
Bakura chuckled inwardly at the reaction that the student gave him. It was cute, almost.
"Who are you? You look just like—"
Bakura's eyes widened as the kid tried to question him, nope, me first! "-I think the real question is, who the hell are you?!"
"Excuse me?"
"You look just like that Yami freak." Too much like him. It's nauseating, really.
"I don't know him, okay? Look, I really don't want to go through this ag—"
"-Don't mistake my shock for me actually caring, because I don't." Bakura shrugged, deciding to leave the kid intrigued rather than give him what he really wants.
"Excuse me?"
"Yeah, if yah say you don't know him, I don't give a fuck. Just wanted to see if the weirdo had a little brother or something. Weird shit. But yeah, that's the extent of my care."
That wasn't true. Bakura instantly felt gravitated towards this pure little being that looked like a replica of Satan himself. He was tiny, or fun sized, as his cousin would say in defense to being teased about his height. His eyes were suited for a puppy dog, all big and glimmer like. A soft face and adorable pout that struck Bakura right in the heart. Cute, and yet somehow mysterious. His resemblance to Yami was reason enough to not trust the little ray of sunshine.
"Wait….you're related to Ryou, you have to be," the student ushered the words carefully.
"What's it to yah?" Bakura sniggered, raising his feet on the desk to recline.
"Bakura!" Mitsuru-Sensei spat from across the room. "We all know that you're here, so quit the act and sit respectfully in my class room!"
Bakura snorted in spite, obeying the request with hesitance.
"Are you his brother?" the kid questioned sincerely.
"Hell no!" Bakura snared. "Though…I guess you could say I'm related to the shrimp…We're cousins."
The kid pondered the thought. "He never mentioned having a cousin."
"Ryou doesn't mention people he's not proud of, okay?" Bakura snarled in annoyance. "I "taint his reputation", or so he says," he instructed with air quotes.
"That means you have one of your own."
"Maybe," he shrugged. "But take a look kid." Bakura gestured to the room. "Each brat in this class has a reputation. They each have a vision of themselves they want to protect. Whether it's for their own wet fantasy or for their shitty goals they'll never achieve…each one sees themselves a certain way…."
The student gulped, slightly intimidated by Bakura's words.
"What's so wrong about that?" he stirred the up courage to ask.
"It's a lot of bullshit to maintain for no fucking reason, that's what!" Bakura growled. "It takes a lot of fucking effort to put up the façade that these brats try so hard to protect. That's where I'm different. I stopped caring a long time ago. And still, guess what?"
He gulped nervously. "What?"
"I still got one," Bakura wagged his finger with a sly grin. "I got a reputation just like all of them idiots, but I don't have to do any work. In the end, isn't that all that matters?"
"Uhh….Uhhh…."
"Mutou Yugi?" Mitsuru-Sensei called out.
"Here!"
Yugi…that's a name I haven't heard before. I…I like it. But what does it say about you?
"What's your reputation gunna be, kid?"
()()()()()()()()()
"What's your reputation gunna be?"
I knew I liked you from the start…
To think if we never started talking that day…
To think if I just ignored your demonic resemblance…
Who would I be if I had?
Would we still be in that world?
A world that had no meaning until we met, anyways.
Would I be controlled by darkness?
I don't know, but it's beyond me now.
And I'm thankful for that.
I'm thankful that my reputation as an asshole, degenerate student…
Gave me the confidence to talk to you,
The one with a temporary reputation of seeking evil,
And an eternal reputation of being my savior.
Yugi cringed at the sight of Bakura spazzing out on the tablet. He lowered his head to avoid the awful scene before him. You'll be okay, Bakura. You'll be okay, he told himself.
He shut his eyes and hung his head low, praying that everything would be okay after the ritual.
I just want everything to go back to normal….
At that very second, a flash of familiar faces crossed Yugi's train of thought.
Two guys, a blonde and a brunette, had their arms around each other's shoulders with bright smiles and their thumbs up. Besides them was a tanned man with bleached hair and a soft smirk. Next to him was a man with the brightest green eyes Yugi had ever seen, with jagged black hair and a headband. Two beautiful young ladies stood beside him, a blonde and brunette as well, with unforgettable smiles and such happy personas. They all remained still, as if it were truly a photo in Yugi's mind…
And although they were all familiar, Yugi couldn't recall their names.
"Hey Yug, why do you look so down?" The blonde man asked.
Yugi pointed at himself in complete confusion. "Me?"
"Yeah you, who else here is named Yugi?" he laughed.
"I…I'm not down…I'm just confused."
"You don't mean to tell us you forget who we are, do you?" The brunette man asked.
Yugi looked over at him, melting at everyone's warm hearts that shined through their expressions.
"I…I can't quite remember your names," Yugi admitted, lowering his head in guilt. "But I can tell you are all very important to me. And…I'm so sorry. I don't want to forget you. I really don't."
A soft finger traced along Yugi's cheek, causing him to quickly look up at who was before him.
"My name is Anzu," the brunette girl introduced, a smile so warm it made Yugi shed a tear at his inability to remember such a beautiful woman.
"And I'm Mai!" The blonde girl introduced with a confident grin.
"Otogi."
"Malik!"
"Honda."
"Jonouchi, your best bud."
They all introduced their selves, and inched their way closer to Yugi.
Suddenly, all of Yugi's memories with these people came flying back at full force.
"My friends!" Tears started streaming down his face in utter joy. "I'm so sorry! I can't believe I would ever forget!"
They all moved up and embraced Yugi in a loving hug. They shared tears together as they remained in their embrace.
"It's not your fault, Yugi," Honda assured, being the first to step back so they could engage in conversation. "We know you don't want to forget, but it's out of your hands."
Yugi began shivering at those words. "What do you mean? Are you saying I'll forget you again?"
"Yugi, none of us are real," Malik revealed with a sympathetic, forced smile. "We never were."
This thought sent chills up Yugi's spine. He began shivering uncontrollably, tears continuing to flow. He looked around his group of friends and caught sight of an important extra guest.
"Ji-chan?!"
"Yugi!" The elder ran up to his grandson, embracing him tightly. "You've made me proud. I'm so glad we've got to spend this time together. Short as it may have been, it was worth the world to me."
"Ji…chan…." Yugi sobbed. "Thank you…for everything."
The elder backed up, a weak smile on his face to hide his inner pain.
"Yugi. Take good care of everyone for us," Otogi mentioned.
"I will…but, where are you going?"
"Yug," Jonouchi wrapped an arm around Yugi's shoulder. "We love you, man. It's weird to think that we've been friends for so long, and yet it ends here. But may your time with Atem be fulfilling. Take care for us, okay?"
"Jo..nouchi…" Yugi grew frail, weaker than ever before at the words his best friend said. He never got the chance to say goodbye to him in the other world. In fact, he never gave his friends the attention he deserved as he spent more time with Atem.
"I'm sorry everyone…I'm sorry for letting you all down. I should have spent more time with you…I should have-"
"No," Anzu interrupted. "Don't be sorry. You weren't meant to be with us. You were meant to be with Atem. We are only space fillers here…but even with that, I'm glad we formed a bond during our time together. Be glad that you and Atem figured out a way to get home. We sure are, right everyone?"
"Right," they all chimed in unison, smiles on their faces.
"Right…" Yugi trembled. "I love you all…"
"We love you too," Honda assured. "Oh…and by the way, take good care of this guy for us. You might not remember his connection to this world, and he might not either, but just know that in his heart there is a piece of us, okay?"
Yugi tilted his head in confusion, not sure who they were talking about. Suddenly, a light glimmered in the distance, and a sweet white haired boy came into sight.
"Ryou!" Yugi grinned, running over to him.
"Yugi," he smiled.
"Are you coming home with me?"
"Yes, shall we go?"
And in that moment, Yugi and Ryou linked arms, waving to all their friends.
"Goodbye!"
"We love you!"
Yugi couldn't help but cry, but despite the tears, he was smiling. He knew from now on, things would be okay. "I'll never forget you!" He yelled out, even though he knew he would. His mind might, but his heart would not. "You'll be in my heart forever!"
And so Ryou and Yugi ventured into the light, finally entering a world where they belonged.
"Yugi! Yugi, are you alright?"
Yugi flashed open his eyes.
"You passed out for a second there, are you okay?" Atem asked, worry in his eyes.
"Yes," a warm feeling fluttered through Yugi's heart, drawing a smile on his face. "For once, I can say I am perfectly okay."
If my calculations are right, Yugi will be opening that door to look for me in approximately two minutes.
Ra…I'm so excited!
Atem couldn't believe how long it had been since he had seen Yugi. It had felt like a thousand years since he was damned to this world. Although he knew he wasn't supposed to see Yugi, their souls were one, and so of course they were drawn to one another.
There was no way he could deny himself of this pleasure.
But I should. I should avoid him at all costs. In fact, I should transfer out of this school right away.
Because he knew that with Yugi living there, he would be infatuated with him. He'd grow closer and closer to him, and despite the darkness that he was chained to, he knew he could get Yugi to fall in love with him. I can't put us in that position.
But Atem had already moved himself away from Yugi one too many times. He moved to the United States once he realized that being in the same country as him was too much to handle. He figured living on the other side of the world would be enough distance between them.
But Yugi was interested in studying English and history. So while Atem was in high school, Yugi showed up with his grandfather on vacation near the very place Atem was living. In fact, Yugi even debated attending university there all together.
Atem couldn't bare the possibility, so he went back to Japan that very day, enrolling himself in an academy that was far from where Yugi and his grandfather lived and settled there.
But of course, being connected to one another, Yugi in years to come would transfer to that very university. But this time…Atem couldn't stay away.
I shouldn't go see him, but maybe together, we can find a way out of here.
Atem knew he shouldn't have thought that way. He was bound by darkness and had no right to think with hope.
But he couldn't help himself. He really couldn't. And so instead of running away, Atem walked over to Yugi's dorm room, standing right outside of the door.
The darkness within him grew excited by the lights presence, undoubtedly taking over his persona for that moment in time.
And then Yugi opened the door….
Oh Yugi…you precious, precious soul…
Are you happy to see me?
()()()()()()()()
"Are you happy to see me?" Atem asked not long after Yugi woke up. His passing out had scared Atem for a moment, and evoked an unforgettable memory in his head.
"Of course I am," Yugi smiled.
"Good, because I am incredibly happy to see you."
You don't know how long I've waited to hear those words from your lips.
The two remained there, smiling at each other, finding comfort in each other's presence.
Yugi, we've been through so much for each other. Together we have beat the odds and can now begin a new life in peace.
This is all I could have ever wanted for us.
"Wait…"
"What's wrong?" Atem asked.
"It's quiet. It's finally…quiet," Yugi crinkled his nose in thought, slowly peering over to the stone tablet where Bakura lied. His body spread out across the surface, looking lifeless.
"Bakura?!" Yugi hollered, running over to him in panic.
Atem watched with concern, not sure what just happened.
"Is he okay?!" Yugi called out, not sure how to react.
No one responded to his calls. A ritual such as this was new for even a sorcerer. No one knew how it would result.
Atem shivered in place, praying that everything would turn out okay. He knew that the success of this performance was vital to Yugi's life.
"Yugi, I'm sure he's fine. His physical body is exhausted. This must mean the ritual is complete," Atem suggested, walking towards his light.
"So where is he? Where's Ryou?" Yugi quickly turned his attention to Atem, tears flowing from his eyes. "He said he was coming home with me…so where is he?"
When did he say that? Atem thought, scratching the side of his head.
"We were never given a well painted picture of how this ritual would play out, therefore we have reason to believe this is part of the process and the light of Bakura will manifest naturally as the gods intended. There is no need for panic, Lord Mutou," Mahad bowed in respect.
Yugi gulped down his anxiety, wiped the tears from his face and inched closer to Atem for consolation.
Atem wrapped an arm around his waist, hugging him close and placing a warm kiss on Yugi's neck.
"It will be okay," he whispered in his ears.
Yugi took in a deep breath, "If you say so."
"Perhaps you should try getting some sleep," Atem encouraged softly. He was sitting on his bed while Yugi was fiddling with some pieces of senet at a table.
"Yeah, but it's kind of a wasted effort in the state of mind I'm in right now," Yugi mumbled, studying the game board.
He heard Atem sigh in response and instantly began feeling bad. "I'm sorry Atem. I haven't been very conscious of you ever since we have returned back here. I don't mean to be so distant."
"You can't be blamed for that, Yugi," Atem reconciled. "There has been a lot on your plate. Everything ties back to you and it must be difficult for you to cope with it all."
Yugi smirked at Atem's amazing patience. He placed down the game pieces and focused his attention to Atem.
The Pharaoh looked a little distracted, fiddling around with his rings and letting his eyes wander around the room. Yugi could tell he was just as anxious.
"I love you more than you know," Yugi softly revealed.
Atem stopped fidgeting instantly, quickly turning his eyes to Yugi. He arched an eyebrow in curiosity.
"You must think I have the biggest crush on Bakura right about now," Yugi chuckled, a bit embarrassed by raising the point.
Atem remained stoic, unsure of where Yugi was about to go with his words.
"But there is just one thing I absolutely need you to know, before I get distracted with whatever the results of the ritual are," Yugi continued.
Atem raised his hand, as if gesturing for Yugi to stop. "One thing you want me to know, implying that whatever you are about to tell me is something that I don't know, correct?"
Yugi lowered his head, "Yes."
"You are aware that I know a lot of things, right?"
Yugi chuckled, That's just like you. "Yes."
Atem shrugged nervously. "Then by all means, continue."
An uncomfortable silence filled the room. The flickering of the candle was the only light, giving off an unreliable illumination. One so wavering and unsteady that it perfectly matched the atmosphere in that moment of time.
"I will always choose you," Yugi mumbled under his breath.
Atem's eyes widened at the sound. "Did you say what I thought you did?"
Yugi raised his head yet again, gazing straight into Atem's eyes. "I will always choose you."
Atem blushed softly, playing it off with a light laughter. "I already know that, Yugi."
"You say you do, but I don't think you really understand," Yugi quickly followed. "I know you better than anyone else. I know you are patient, kind, and all-loving. And I know the look in your eyes when you worry that someone else has taken my heart."
In that moment, Atem's soft expression sharpened. He quickly recalled all the times where he was worried that the darkness of Zorc would seduce Yugi…the darkness that belonged to Bakura rather than himself.
"So you need to know that no matter what the stakes are, I will always choose the path that exalts you above the rest." Yugi got up from his chair and walked to Atem. "Of course I will also choose the path that considers the well-being of anyone involved, but just know…just know that you are the most important to me. And just as you sacrificed yourself for me, I am willing to sacrifice my own life too."
"Yu..Yugi," Atem softly mumbled in shock. He raised his hand to play with the bangs of Yugi's hair, cherishing its touch on his skin.
"You see," Yugi smiled, "The look on your face tells me that what I told you wasn't something you knew before. So…now you know."
Atem quickly embraced Yugi in a tight hug, grasping him as if he would fade away. "I love you, Yugi."
"I love you, Atem."
"Aww, well isn't this a pretty picture? I wish I had one of those cameras right about now. Someone step on it, we need that invented ASAP!"
Yugi and Atem dropped their hug immediately, both completely aware of who that voice belonged to.
"BAKURA?!" They cried out in unison.
"In the flesh," he smirked with a curtsey.
They jumped to their feet and ran over to him. "You're okay?!" Yugi called.
"Well duh."
"Why did no one inform us of your revival?" Atem interrogated.
"Well yah see, tan man, when I woke up, they were about to send yah one of those little pigeon guards to give you the hot scoop, but I insisted that they wait until I show up and surprise yah. But of course, that implied that you would have to wait until I take a pleasant bath."
"So, are you saying that you made Yugi and I wait for hours in complete worry while you were having a pleasant bath experience?"
Bakura shrugged. "I wouldn't call it completely pleasant. My bones were a little sore, but yeah, I guess you could say that. Besides, how else would I smell so fruity fresh? And these clothes, Pharaoh! Very nice! This cloth feels wonderful on my bum," he gestured to himself.
Yugi laughed nervously. He did look rather fresh. His fluffy hair was pure white, rather than dirty with pieces of junk in it. He still had his scar above his eye, and a few bruises and scratches along his body, but his eyes looked fresh and relieved. It said a lot about how he must feel on the inside.
"Well, I'm glad you're okay…and less evil looking, but um…what about…"
"What about the shrimp?" Bakura winked.
"Um…I wasn't going to call him that, but if you mean-"
"Ta-dah!" Bakura grinned, stepping aside to reveal the one and only Ryou.
Yugi's jaw dropped open. He turned to look at Atem. "Is that him?"
Atem grinned, nodding in assent and gesturing for Yugi to walk closer to him.
Ryou stood still, wearing a shy smile on his face. "Hi Yugi, it's been quite a while, hasn't it?"
Yugi couldn't help but wrap his arms around him in a loving embrace. "I can't believe you're here right now."
"I'm sorry we didn't come to you sooner, but this one over here wanted a bath," Ryou informed.
Bakura ruffled his hand through Ryou's hair in response. "You're damn right I did. Don't you think I deserved one? Getting strapped to that tablet so they could rip you from my soul?" Bakura turned his ruffle into a noogie.
"Yes, yes you deserved one," Ryou humored him. "Now please stop!"
Bakura let go with a smirk, turning to look over at Yugi and Atem.
"Oh yeah, they also wanted me to tell you this-"
"There's a feast in the dining hall!" Ryou beamed, rubbing his tummy. "Shall we go?"
"Hey squirt, I was gunna tell them!" Bakura frowned.
"Let's go!" Yugi nodded, pushing Bakura jokingly towards the exit. He turned to look at Atem. "Ready?"
Atem looked at Yugi with loving eyes, taking in a deep breath…feeling peace for the first time in a long time.
"Let's do it."
()()()()()()()()()()()
And so the feast began. Atem sat at the far end of the table, Yugi at his right side and Bakura at his left. For once, there was laughter and peace in the palace.
"Tonight's celebration is in honor of Ryou and Bakura. Because of their self-sacrifice, our kingdom will finally know peace," Atem announced. "Eat fully and well."
"To our Pharaoh! May he reign for forever and ever on!"
And so the council ate with joy. For the first time, all members of the council were able to eat with no other worries in mind. Their Pharaoh was spared, and they gained new friends to add to their family
Mana and Mahad engaged in conversation about their excitement to have Pharaoh and Yugi home and safe.
Bakura, Seto and Atem discussed the optimistic future of the kingdom.
Yugi and Ryou rambled about all the things they could do together in the palace and in the city.
The other priests enjoyed their small talk while smiling down upon the mighty Pharaoh and his loved ones that were now saved.
And along the way, all foreign thoughts were forgotten.
()()()()()()()()()()
"It looks like they're enjoying their dinner," Osiris smiled, looking down upon the feast that the royal council took part in.
"They look so happy, but there is still a lot of pain in their hearts, isn't there?"
"Yes. With time, their memory of the other world will fade, but the anger in the hearts will never disappear unless all traces of that alternate world are forgotten," Ra answered.
"They have no reason to remember that other world any longer. Shall we erase their memories of it?" Osiris suggested.
"Pharaoh has done well, finding a way to save his light. The least we can do is clear his memory of all the suffering it caused him. We can free them all of their burdens and pain," Ra said.
"That's quite considerate of you. I never thought you would choose such a path."
"Well, in the words of the Pharaoh and his light…"
The gods came together, using their power to erase all of the memories relating to the existence of the other world, which effected many. At that moment, the air felt a little lighter for those eating at the feast. A genuine smile ran across Seto's face. Bakura and Atem laughed with sincerity as they shared jokes. Yugi and Ryou spoke as if they had known each other for years.
For once, they all looked like they belonged.
"…There's always an alternative."
THE END
A/N: Thank you all for reading this fic! I truly hope you enjoyed it. I would love to hear your feedback. Wishing you all the best! May 2018 bring you all joy and peace.
All my loving,
Jude Starkey McCartney
