Day 27 (August 2nd): Pain vs Puff Pieces: Angst vs Fluff. Do you prefer a fairytale ending or a bittersweet tragedy? Today's prompt is all about showcasing either angst or fluff.

Focus: Rei prepares to leave the city. She only has her final goodbyes. Old prompt I wrote last year.

Characters: OC. Jack Atlas. Yusei Fudo.

"What do you think?" Rei murmured lowly, her head resting on her hand. Her legs were tucked against her chest, her black hair blowing softly in the light breeze. "Y'know. When you look out there." Rei gestured with her hand out towards the other side- the city beyond.

"I don't know," Jack responded almost bitingly, the words certainly bitter. "A better life than here, I guess."

"Yeah?" Rei let her body relax, if just slightly. Her arms supported her as she leaned back, her legs stretching out. "I've been thinkin' about it more and more. What's out there, I guess. If it's better than what we got here."

Jack didn't answer. Rei moved closer. Jack responded with his arm manuring around her shoulders and pulling her closer. She leaned her head against his shoulder.

"You're leaving."

It wasn't a question. There was no need. He already knew the answer. Rei straightened her posture, her face going tense as she looked out over the beach to the other side- to the silhouette of Neo Domino City.

"You know I can't say anythin'," She whispered under her breath. "It'd ruin the surprise. Besides,' She gave him a rueful smile. "How would I even get there?"

"Yeah," Jack wasn't looking at the city. He was glancing down at her. He could tell her now, but what was the point? She knew. She had to know.

"We'll get there someday, you and me. We'll get across the bridge," Rei sounded determined. Jack had no doubt she would make it. "Lay down," She commanded. She moved, swiftly, enough to shove Jack onto his back, his lips releasing a grunt when he hit the soft sand. His eyes widened, just slightly, as Rei straddled him, her face close to his. He could see the gold in her eyes, reflected in the setting sun. He thought she might move her head, just slightly, but instead, she grinned. She was beautiful. She'd always been. The Tomorrow Girl. Rei laughed, her body rolling until she wound up beside him, her head resting on that small spot between his arm and chest. Her arm reached to hold onto him.

"What are you thinking?" Jack let his hand play with her hair. Rei's grip around him tightened.

"You," She admitted. "This."

"We don't have to leave."

"Yeah," Rei shifted. She was uncomfortable. "Maybe. Someday."

Yeah. Sure. Jack didn't believe her. He knew her answer. She would never admit her feelings aloud. That's who she was.

Jack could hear the shuffling of cards. He glanced over to see Rei holding one of her cards. A smile tipped the corners of his lips.

"What's our future?" Jack asked in amusement.

"It's mine," Rei corrected. "What's in store for me."

"And?"

"The Fool," She placed the card back in her deck. "A new beginning. A warning. I think." She added the last part hastily.

"And mine?" Jack was curious. He could feel Rei shift as she reached for another card.

"The Wheel of Fortune," She read off. "Something amazing's gonna happen to you, Jack. But..." She hesitated. "Something bad will happen first. It's a circular kind of thing, y'know?" She seemed upset. Guilty. Jack pulled her closer.

"You said before those arcana represented people," Jack looked up to see the sun descend the sky, bringing the dark sky with it.

"You know yours," Rei chuckled against his chest. "My wheel of fortune. You better not forget me, ever. Not even when you join the pro-league."

"How could I?"

"You're right. I am pretty amazing." Rei moved so she was laying more on top of his chest.

"You know I wouldn't want anyone else by my side," Jack's hand rested on hers, the hand where her matching ring sat. "We said we'd join the pro-leagues." Jack paused. "Would you chose me, if we were in the City?"

Rei froze. Jack thought she wouldn't answer, maybe even leave. But she surprised him. "Maybe," Her voice was quiet. "Guess we'd have to get to the City first and see." Rei smiled at him. "You know you're my guy."

"But never like that," Jack's voice came out more frustrated than he would have liked.

"I know," Rei didn't hesitate to respond. "Trust me, I know...but," Rei sighed. "It could be. I can't predict the future. Not like that." She leaned up to smile. "Guess we'll have to see."

Jack didn't want to let this moment go. Rei showed affection towards him, sure, but never intimacy. He could always see it on her face. Any time she left herself get too close, she'll back away, refusing to let herself fall for another person. He knew she was too unwilling, too afraid to lose. Not after she lost Daichi and Lux.

That's why he would wait. He'd wait for her as long as she needed. She was worth it. His Tomorrow Girl. His girl.

When Jack woke up in the morning, he was alone. Rei was gone.

Beside him lay a single card.

X. The Wheel of Fortune.

"You're still up workin?" A voice came from the entrance. Yusei jumped, his screwdriver dropping from his hand. He swore under his breath, his head peeking over the D-Wheel to glance at the intruder.

"Rei," He breathed out a breath of relief. She stood outlined in the moonlight, her short wavy hair framing her face, her gold eyes playful.

There was something different about her expression. Yusei couldn't tell what it was.

"Did I scare you?" She stepped closer, her hands in her jean pockets. Her posture was tense.

"Didn't hear you coming, that's all," Yusei stepped back, knowing Rei would want to see what he'd done. He was right. Rei moved closer, her head nodding in approval.

"It's pretty much done, yeah?" Rei turned to smile at Yusei.

"Just a few more checks off the list and she may be able to get us out," Yusei moved to pick up the screwdriver off the floor.

"But it could get one of us out." Her tone was odd. Yusei shrugged it off.

"I guess."

"Yusei." Her voice was oddly serious. Yusei straightened, his movements slow as he turned to face Rei.

"Yeah?" He tried to keep his voice smooth.

"Promise me somethin', okay?" Rei swallowed. "No matter what, we'll be best friends. You ain't gonna hate me."

"Where's this coming from?" Yusei frowned.

"I dunno. Bad dreams, I guess," Rei hugged her arms to her body. "Just...stuff from the past. I'm scared. Really fuckin' terrified." Her eyes started to water.

"Hey," Yusei stepped closer, his hands taking ahold of her arms, and he gently pried her stiff hands off her body so he could hold them. Rei looked up at him with wide eyes. Her hands were freezing. "Nothing will happen," Yusei promised her.

"You sure?" Rei whispered. She sniffed. She was trying her best not to cry. Yusei knew.

He let go of one of her hands, doing his best to keep his movements slow so she could see exactly what he was doing, and lifted a piece of dark hair out of her face to tuck behind her ears. His hand rested, just for a second, on the side of her face, before he settled for placing his hand on her shoulder. Swiftly, he pulled her against him. Rei wasted no time wrapped her arms around his torso, her face pressed against his shoulder. He could feel her gently start to sob. Yusei rubbed her back, his words soft, reassuring, letting her know she was okay, she was safe. Rei was taking deep breaths.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Yusei let his hand ball up in her shirt. He was scared to let go.

"I'm okay," Rei pulled back, her eyes red from crying, the tear streaks evident. Yusei moved forward to carefully wipe the tears away. Rei closed her eyes, allowing the gesture to happen. "You're too good for me, you know," Yusei almost couldn't hear her words.

"That's not true," Yusei shook his head.

"But it is," Rei laughed, the sound void of any emotion. "You're my best friend. I mean it."

"I know," Yusei held her tightly. "You're mine."

"I think..." Rei opened her mouth, then once again closed it. "No, never mind..." She shook her head.

"What?" Yusei looked down at her.

"Nothin'. Don't worry about it." Rei smiled up at him. "We're gonna have a great time in the City. You and me. Soon as this D-Wheel's done, we're gonna have a great life. You, me, Jack, and Crow."

"Well, yeah. We'll come back for them." Yusei was confused about what she was trying to say.

"Over there...gods, what am I saying?" Rei wiped her hand over her face.

"Hey," Yusei grabbed her hand, his other hand tilting her chin up to look at him. Rei blinked. He knew soon she would pull away, the intimacy being too much for her. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere, Rei. We're partners."

"Yeah..." Rei furiously blinked her eyes. "Alway." Rei looked away. "My shooting star."

Yusei felt his breath leave him. She must have been freaked by something that had happened. She was shaking. He could feel the pressure rising in the room, a telltale sign that Rei was growing anxious. Yusei leaned forward, his lips carefully pressing against the top of her forehead. Rei stiffened. She backed up, out of his reach, a smile planted on her face.

"So. Let's see what's left to finish." Something about the way she spoke, down to the way she stood, sounded fake. A mask. Yusei ignored it.

"I'll show you," Yusei turned, his body crouching to lean next to the D-Wheel. He thought he would feel Rei's presence beside him, but she still stood a few feet away, her expression hidden by the darkness surrounding them. "Rei?" He called out, almost a question.

"...I'm comin'," But she still stood in one spot. "Yusei." She paused. "If I disappeared, would you find me?"

"...yeah," Yusei decided to humor her. "I'd find you. Wait for me," Yusei looked to her with a small smile. "I'll find you."

And then he turned his back to her. He reached to grab one of his tools.

He heard her move closer. He didn't think anything of it.

And that's when the world turned dark. He felt pain.

And then it stopped.

Yusei didn't know what happened until the sun streamed in through the cracks on the roof to the tunnel. His friends were shaking him, telling him to wake up, that his D-Wheel was gone-

On the ground was a single card.

XVII. The Star.