A/N: Yeah, guess what, this one's almost finished too. I know, sad huh? That's two lovely long fic I've finished now. Kinda sad the end of this one but it may get better. You can never tell with me. And let's face it, better is relative and I'm not known for going they lived happily ever after. So, review guys.
"Crow," Kiryu said quietly. Crow glanced up from his deck. Kiryu frowned for a moment before shaking his head. "You know, it doesn't matter."
"You were going to ask about Jack," Crow said, returning his attention to his deck. Kiryu laughed and turned away to leave. "You want to know if he's said anything to me because you know he wouldn't say anything to Aki. You want to know why he was off with you all day yesterday, if I know anything. Right?"
"Do you know anything?"
Crow frowned and Kiryu folded his arms. "Come on, Kiryu, if Jack tells me anything you know I can't just tell you. He's like my brother; I can't just tell you what he's thinking."
"He did say something then." Crow frowned. "Crow, please, tell me something. Come on, I've got to make a decision between Jack and Yusei tonight and I have no idea what to do. Help me."
"Kiryu..."
"Please, Crow, I want to make the right choice."
Crow frowned and slid his deck into his holder and stood up. "Look, it's just, Jack sees you with Yusei and the way you'd been acting with him, he thinks you've already made your choice."
"But I..." He struggled to figure out what to say and Crow sighed. "Yesterday morning he dragged me out to my grave and explained how he willingly got into bed with my dad only weeks after I died. What was I supposed to do? Hug him and tell him it's all ok and I don't mind?"
"I don't know, Kiryu," Crow said. "I'm not going to tell you how you and Jack and Yusei should figure yourselves out. Whatever happens you have to break someone's hear, Kiryu. You got yourself into this mess, you figure it out."
"Crow, help me. I don't know what to do," Kiryu whispered. "I love them both."
"What do you expect me to say?" he snapped. "You did this. You and Jack and Yusei got yourselves in this mess, you sort yourselves out. I never wanted to be involved in any of this. My only interest is that whoever you choose, I'm left picking up the pieces. And we don't need this right now. If we win this, we win the WRGP, and if we're lucky it'll deal with Yliaster too."
He headed out and Kiryu followed into the locker room. Jack was just leaving and Kiryu frowned, then ran after him. He grabbed his hand and Jack stopped. Kiryu stepped in front of him, but Jack wouldn't look at him.
"Jack-"
"Save it, Kiryu, I don't need this right before a duel," Jack said. Kiryu sighed and squeezed his hand. "Kiryu let go. I have to get ready."
"Yeah... of course." He paused and lowered his gaze for a moment, his heart sinking at his tone. "Jack, I just-"
"Kiryu, really, I have to go, I'm out first. I have to make sure my D-Wheel's ready to go."
He pulled his hand from Kiryu's and went to leave but Kiryu grabbed his arm and pulled him around once more. "Just listen for a minute."
"Kiryu-"
He leant up and kissed him firmly since he obviously wasn't going to listen. He twisted his fingers into his hair and tried to show Jack how much he meant with that one kiss, trying to make him understand that he hadn't made up his mind, but Jack just stood there.
"Don't," Jack whispered, gently pushing him away. "I have to go."
"Jack!" Kiryu yelled after him. "Jack... please..."
Jack didn't turn and just kept walking. At that moment, Kiryu felt something break inside. Did Jack really not care anymore? He ran out after him to his D-Wheel and got between him and the white machine. Jack frowned and folded his arms, silently demanding he moved but Kiryu shook his head.
"What's wrong?"
"Dunno... just kinda worked up, I guess," he said. "Will you get out my way? I don't need this right now. I have to deal with real damage in this duel- the biggest duel of my life- I don't need to be worked up or for anything to go wrong with my D-Wheel."
Kiryu frowned but nodded. Maybe he was just wound up and nervous about the duel. He grabbed his hand and kissed it gently.
"I love you, Jack," he whispered and kissed his palms through the gloves and closing his eyes. "Good luck, please be careful."
Jack pulled his hands away and pushed him out the way so he could get to his D-Wheel. "Thanks."
Kiryu frowned. That was it? Thanks? He didn't even expect Jack to say 'I love you too' or anything, but some kind of recognition beyond just thanks. It tore at his insides as he realised Crow was right, he was absolutely right, Jack had given up completely.
"Jack..."
"We all ready?" Tori called, coming out into the pits with Yusei and Bruno. "You guys had totally got to win this."
"Didn't you used to work for these guys?" Aki said as she and Crow came out with the twins. "And where's your cute little team gone?"
"No... no I don't think so," she muttered, frowning. Kiryu frowned and glanced at Yusei and Crow. "I don't remember a cute little team either."
"You don't remember Beta?" Kiryu said.
"His name was Rob, he had brown hair and you two were really cute together," Jack said.
"I think I'd remember something like that, Jack," she snapped.
"How's your dad?" Yusei said quietly.
She frowned. "He's getting better. The hospital is doing what they can. Whatever you uncle did to him I don't know how long it'll take for him to recover."
He nodded and pulled Crow and Kiryu over to where Jack was. "I guess Yliaster's completely blanked out their memories and removed their team from history." They nodded and Jack returned to his D-Wheel and Yusei turned to Kiryu, quite obviously having to remind himself to take his hand or put his arms around him. "This is it. We're going to win and everything's going to work out for the best, right?"
"Yusei, you know that there's a chance I won't pick you, right?"
"Why? Have you decided on Jack?" Yusei whispered.
"No, I'm just saying," he said gently. "I know I've spent a lot of time with you and not Jack, I'm just saying, you know, it could go either way still."
"I know," he said, smiling up at him. "But I'm sure you'll make the right decision." He glanced around then leant up a pressed their lips together for a brief moment. "I told you, I only want to please you. If he makes you happy, I'll be happy for you. You know that."
Jack's engine revved and Kiryu sighed. "Get ready to duel, Yusei, neither of you get anything if you lose."
"We won't lose, Kiryu."
Kiryu stayed in the locker room for the duel. He didn't know what to do. He loved them both, he had no idea what to do for them. He didn't know how long it had been or how the duel had turned out, but he wasn't sure he cared. Once or twice he selfishly thought how easy it would be if they lost. It would be so much easier. It would give him more time. Sure the world might end but he'd have more time to figure out what to do.
He sighed and stood slowly. Jack and Yusei were in the medical wing being checked over before they could go out for the award ceremony. Jack was surrounded by the girls- Carly and Mikage and that waitress girl Kiryu didn't know the name of- so he turned to Yusei, who smiled and reached out his hand for him.
"I'm so glad you guys are ok," he said quietly, talking his hand. Yusei kissed his hand and smiled. "Look, I'm going to head back to the garage with Tori and you guys meet us there when you're done, ok? Really quickly, right? I'll see you guys there once you've finished playing the media darlings. See ya later."
Jack stayed behind at the garage after everyone else had gone. Tori sighed and handed him a cup of coffee which Jack took slowly. Jack frowned and Tori sat next to him in silence for a few minutes before Jack spoke up.
"I don't hate him. I wish I could hate him but he makes Kiryu happy. He's never hurt Kiryu like I have. Just like I know you sit and smile for Yusei no matter how much it hurts you."
"Perhaps. Why are you still here?"
Jack frowned and took a letter from his pocket, showing it to her. Tori took a moment to read it then frowned. "You're leaving? When?"
"Tonight." She frowned and reread the letter. "I wanted to tear it up. I told them I wasn't interested and I suppose Yusei and Crow got one too but I don't think they'd take it and Kiryu's not interested in competing professionally." He sighed. "But I don't think I'd feel comfortable in the mansion watching Yusei and Kiryu together. I don't know how Bruno will manage. So I called them and told them situations had changed and I can leave to join them as soon as they can get transport for my D-Wheel sorted. They'll be here to pick it up in about an hour."
"Wow, Jack, this is a big step. I mean, an international pro league. This is huge."
"I know. They were watching the WRGP for young new comers with potential. I here they've approached all the teams who got through to the finals. So there will be at least people I know there and huge names from around the world. It'll be good for me." He sighed. "I would have given it up for him. I would have stayed, I would have out away my deck and never duelled again if he asked me to."
"Well, I'm pleased for you." Suddenly she hugged him close and Jack frowned, trying to not spill his coffee. "I'm going to miss you."
Jack sighed and wrapped his free arm around her and squeezed slightly. After a moment he kissed her cheek gently. "You be careful. Don't let them get out of hand."
"Of course not."
Kiryu frowned, watching the door quietly. He would have thought Jack would have been back by now. There were footsteps behind him and knew Yusei had taken a seat on the couch behind him. He sighed and turned. Yusei was watching him quietly.
"So... I suppose we should wait for him," he said quietly. Kiryu nodded but Yusei took his hands. "Please, Kyosuke, tell me who you picked? Which one of us do you want?"
"I think we should wait for Jack," Kiryu replied, gently moving his hands from his. "I just want to wait for Jack."
"Oh... I see..." He sighed and got up. "I should have figured it out from what you said earlier. But you know, if he really cared he'd be here rather than worrying you."
"Yusei sit down!" Yusei sat and Kiryu cupped his cheeks. "I want you, ok?"
"You... you want..."
Kiryu smiled and nodded and Yusei leant in, kissing him firmly but Kiryu pulled back a little. "Yusei, wait, ok? I don't real right doing this without Jack knowing, ok?"
"Kiryu..." He smiled and kissed him once more. "Why? I mean, seriously, why did you pick me? I thought for sure that Jack... he knows you better. You and him have been together for ages..."
"What, your cute little worrying about being inexperienced wasn't completely calculated to make me feel guilty?" Yusei frowned and glanced away but Yusei pulled him back around. "Yusei, I'm not stupid. I knew what you were up to, it was very smart and very cute, but I know you can lean quickly and I know that you know I don't care how inexperienced you are." He smiled and kissed him gently. "You're impossible."
"Did it work though?"
"It was cute, but I saw through it," he said quietly. Yusei blushed slightly and lowered his head but Kiryu tilted his head back up. "Did the job through, I suppose. You got your way in the end."
"Will you come to bed now?" he said quietly, standing up and pulling Kiryu with him. "Can we, please?"
Kiryu sighed and glanced at the door. "Give it five more minutes." Yusei nodded. "Are you going to be ok with telling Bruno?"
"Well, once we get comfortable, we can find some use for him right?"
"I suppose."
"Can we go then? Please?"
Yusei pulled him up to his room and down onto the bed, claiming his lips and slowly wrapping his arms around his neck. Kiryu didn't quite seem happy but he put his arms around him, slowly moving over him. All Yusei could think of was how he was so lucky to have Kiryu, finally, once and for all and all to himself.
"Yusei." He sat up and sighed. "Yusei, I'm sorry, I need to..." He placed at kiss on Yusei's forehead and stroked his cheek. "Look, I have to find Jack, ok?"
"Yeah..." Yusei sighed and sat up. "Yeah, I understand."
"I just have to tell him."
"Yeah, I get it."
Yusei sighed as Kiryu left him and closed his eyes. Bruno frowned and looked in. "Is everything ok?"
Yusei smiled weakly. "Yeah... he's made his choice."
"Oh, well, I'm pleased for you both."
He frowned and stood slowly, wrapping his arms around him, laughing bitterly. "He's not coming back anytime soon."
"But I thought-"
"I know, so did I, but... I guess we all underestimated just how much he loves Jack."
Bruno frowned and hugged him tightly, stroking his hair, trying to comfort him. Yusei didn't exactly need much comfort. It hurt that Kiryu didn't love him a much as Jack but he wasn't sure it was unexpected. He knew Jack loved him more than anything in the world. He knew Jack would never purposely hurt Kiryu even if he did say stupid things and Kiryu knew that he was a little insensitive. They'd be ok.
"I'm sorry, Yusei."
"There's nothing to be sorry about. They'll be ok together."
"I'm going to protect you, Yusei. I'll make you feel better again."
Kiryu stepped down into the garage where Tori was busy polishing Yusei's D-Wheel. He frowned and glanced around. Jack was nowhere to be seen. And neither was the Wheel of Fortune.
"Is Jack around?" he said quietly. Tori turned and frowned. "Tori? Where's he got off to now?"
"He..." She frowned and lowered his head. "He's gone."
"Gone where? Out for a ride or what?" he snapped, folding his arms.
She turned her attention back to Yusei's D-Wheel. "Europe to start, I think. I'm not sure where after that, from what I hear they like to hit all the big cities around the world so everyone can see the thrill of top duellists."
"Europe? Tori, you're not making any sense. What's going on?"
"He's gone, Kiryu. It's that simple. He's just left. He packed up his stuff, got his D-Wheel safely transported and he's gone to join a pro league."
"Why? He didn't even come home. Why would he-"
"Come on, Kiryu, don't be dumb." He frowned and lowered his gaze. "You know why he left like that, you know what your little games have done to him."
"I- I didn't mean-"
"Whether it was supposed to be like that or not it's what's happened." He sighed and closed his eyes as she turned once more. "I suppose you could go after him. Much as I hate to say it, Kiryu, you've made a royal screw up of this."
"I- I know." He sighed. "Can I stay tonight? I don't feel like going back."
"Sure. I don't mind. I hope you two can work it out though."
