Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds

Finding Dignity

By Lucky_Ladybug

Notes: The characters aren't mine and the story is! My verse always explores the possibility of "What if what canon shows isn't the full story and Radley is actually a good person and a hero?" I feel like canon does imply that Radley is a good person, at least, but of course there's nothing concrete. This takes place during the Crash Town era, mostly while Kalin is working for Radley and then the last scene after Lawton is defeated. I got the initial idea from an episode of the 1970s Hardy Boys television series, of all things. I'm using prompts from a Kisstober event at YGO United, the overarching prompt of Delicate as well as all three subthemes: Anger, Tension, and Heartbreak. It was XenoEmblem's idea to try the Delicate prompt in reference to Radley's physical strength, or supposed lack thereof. This version of Radley's death in the mines started as the version I'd use in role-plays, including ones with Xeno, Time Thief, and Autumn Hazel Scarlet13 and it's now my preferred version. And yes, I actually did fit a kiss in here, which was challenging at this point in the timeline! I'm also using the prompt #27 - Sight, from the abandoned 5Ds_100 writing community on Livejournal.

Kalin really didn't know why he was at Radley's house that night. It was late, the boarding house was full with the newest incoming duelists, and Radley had insisted Kalin come home with him instead of sleeping on the sidewalk as Kalin had honestly considered. He had promised he wouldn't take No for an answer, and Kalin hadn't had the energy to start a fight about it. So here he was, sitting on the couch and pondering what to do next while Radley was in the bathroom, brushing his teeth before bed.

No matter what Kalin said or did, or how he made it clear he didn't like Radley, the man always tried again. He tried to get Kalin to share drinks with him every night and had made offers before about Kalin staying with him. This was the first time Kalin had ever taken him up on it.

Kalin idly looked around. It was a nice house, very tidy, with 1950s decor on the walls and motorcycle magazines scattered across the coffee table. A bookcase loomed behind him, filled with assorted tomes and manga. Kalin had taken notice of The Lord of the Rings there, and the movie versions were laying on the entertainment center below the TV.

Kalin had to raise an eyebrow. That seemed oddly intellectual for a motorcycle gang leader. But then again, sometimes Radley sounded like an intellectual in his speech. Kalin could almost believe it and then Radley would let loose with some cheeky insult to Malcolm and Kalin would doubt again.

The slight scraping sound outside immediately brought Kalin to attention. He got up, quietly crossing to the window and pulling the curtain back just enough to peer out. The dark figure darting across the lawn was all too visible, especially to eyes trained to see in low light as Kalin's were.

The sink turned off in the bathroom. "What was that?" Radley called.

Kalin grunted. Radley's hearing was about as good as Kalin's eyes. "I think you have a prowler," he flatly said. "Someone's out there."

Another scraping sound came near the bathroom window. That was the last straw. Radley marched out of the bathroom, through the living room, and hauled open the front door while Kalin raised an eyebrow. When Radley stood facing one of the new kids in town and what looked like a fake skeleton dressed like Radley himself, Radley just folded his arms and looked beyond the chagrined boy into the darkness. "More of your childish Crewmember initiations, Malcolm?" he called.

Malcolm stepped out of the shadows with a scowl. "He almost had you. Put your parting gift down on the porch anyway, Hank. I'm sure you see the resemblance, Radley. Our friend here is just about as skinny as you are."

Hank shakily set the skeleton down while Radley watched him with unimpressed, narrowed eyes. But when the mortified teen stepped back and gave Malcolm a clear view of Radley, the man burst out laughing.

"Oh, we really did get you! Aren't you a sight! Do you even know what you did, Radley?! We got you so scared that you came running out here in your skivvies to see what we were up to!"

Radley just sneered at him in response. Indeed, he was standing in the doorway in nothing but boxer shorts, but he hardly looked embarrassed or ashamed. Instead, he flipped his hair over his shoulder. "Ooh, you just wish you looked this good," he quipped.

Kalin had to admit, there were not many people he knew of who could keep hold of dignity in such a situation. Radley was not prone to losing his composure, no matter what was going on around him.

Radley quickly sobered, glowering at both Malcolm and Hank. "But you're on my side of town, Malcolm. I don't tolerate Peeping Toms and prowlers. You still don't know what happened to the last two you sent around."

Malcolm glared right back. "That's why pranking you is the best initiation experience for new Crewmembers," he said. "It gives 'em a taste of the danger they're flirting with! It shows whether they're up to snuff!"

"It looks more like you're just tired of mysteriously losing your prospective new men," Radley mused. "Why else would you personally escort Hank here? And all to deliver such a thoughtful Halloween decoration! I wonder what I should do with it? I suppose I could always re-dress it as someone else we both know and send it back to you, but then that would put me on the same level of itty-bitty intellect as you. So why don't the both of you get out of here before I make you disappear too?"

Hank trembled. "Let's go, Malcolm! Please!"

Malcolm growled. "You got no backbone!" he scolded. "Just look at him! Any one man could take him easy!"

"Oh?" Radley quirked an eyebrow. "Is that a challenge? Do you want to prove your big words by taking me down yourself, Malcolm?"

Malcolm froze. "Well, I . . ." He shoved Hank in front of him. "Go on, boy! Take him! I might still let you in if you beat him!"

Hank went stiff. "But . . . !"

"He's just too afraid to face me himself," Radley commented. "Wise up, Hank. Is this really the kind of boss you want to work for?"

Hank's eyes narrowed. "No. But I could still take you!"

"I don't want to fight you, Hank," Radley replied. "You're just a little mixed-up right now. Malcolm, on the other hand, knows exactly what he's doing."

Malcolm snarled. "You're just trying to bait me into attacking you, Radley! Well, I won't fall for it!"

"Is that what I'm trying to do?" Radley said mildly. "Or are you just reading that into it because you're ashamed that you're afraid to attack a harmless, skinny guy in his skivvies?"

Malcolm fumed to have his own insults thrown back at him. "I'm not ashamed of anything!" he snapped. "Lawton and I learned how to fight on the streets! I'm good at it!"

"Prove it," Radley said with a wave of his hand. "Show Hank why he should feel proud to join the Crew."

"Darn-tootin' I will!" Malcolm declared. "And you're gonna be sorry, Radley!" With that he stormed up the porch steps with determination and purpose.

Kalin, who had been silently watching the entire encounter, looked at Radley in disbelief. What was he doing? Did he expect to brawl with Malcolm and win? Or did he expect Kalin to come out and fight? He didn't look like he was physically capable of winning a fight, but he was so completely confident in . . . something. His abilities or Malcolm's stupidity or both.

When Malcolm threw the first punch, Radley calmly dodged. On the second punch, Radley ducked. The third punch resulted in a duck and a dodge.

Malcolm was swiftly losing his temper. "I knew it!" he yelled. "You don't know how to fight! You're as delicate as a lady! Now hold still and take this like a man!"

On the fourth punch attempt, Radley grabbed Malcolm's arm, lifted it up, and suddenly all of Malcolm was flying over Radley's head in a spectacular judo flip. He crashed hard on the porch with a yell. Before he could get up, Radley stood over him, placed his foot on Malcolm's chest, and brought his hands to his hips.

"I learned how to fight on the streets too," he mused, "but I seem to have picked up a different technique than you."

Malcolm snarled. "Radley, you . . . !"

Radley removed his foot, picked up the skeleton, and stepped back into his doorway. "I'm going to give this to Scotch for him to redecorate as he would like. And I suggest both of you get out of here now . . . unless you want further humiliation."

Malcolm stumbled up, rubbing his sore arm. "I'll get you, Radley. Just you wait until the duel tomorrow night!" he roared.

"Such big words," Radley said. "But they do say 'pride goeth before a downfall.'" With that, he walked inside and shut the door. He tossed the skeleton into the corner and looked to Kalin. "Are they going?"

Kalin peeked through the curtain again. "Yes."

"Good." Radley sighed, suddenly looking tired. "Malcolm is always trying to corrupt today's youth."

"Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?" Kalin intoned.

Radley paused. "You can think what you want, Kalin, but really think about the Bunch and their behavior compared to Malcolm's. Is it anything similar?"

Kalin frowned. Malcolm's Crew loved to tease and torment both residents and visitors alike. Some of them generally hung around the town square every day to bully people. Radley's Bunch, on the other hand, kept to themselves or went riding in the desert or had karaoke parties at the diner Radley owned. Most of the town loved the Bunch, and quite a few loved Radley too. Apparently they didn't find the two gangs very similar at all.

". . . What did you do with Malcolm's missing men?" he finally asked.

"Well, Malcolm probably thinks they're working slave labor in the mines, or worse, that I buried the bodies in my backyard," Radley said dryly. "Maybe you do too. I just let Malcolm think what he wants because it's better that way, but for some reason I don't want you to think I'm trash."

Kalin grunted. It was awkward, he supposed, for Radley's employee to have a false impression of him. Of course, that was the only reason why Radley would care what Kalin thought.

". . . So where are they?" he finally asked.

Radley looked back to him. "I talked to both of them at length and determined that they were both just troubled kids who'd got off on the wrong path. When I heard their stories and realized their families weren't unkind and would be worried, I sent them both back to their homes."

Kalin looked to him, stunned. If Radley noticed that look, and he no doubt did, he still said nothing about it. He tiredly walked past, heading for his bedroom.

"I'm going to put some clothes on," he remarked. "Then I'm going to bed. The guest-room is open for you whenever you want it, Kalin."

". . . Thanks," Kalin finally managed to say.

That had only been several weeks ago, but it felt like another lifetime. The last twenty-four hours had been unbearably long.

Kalin reached out, shakily lifting the lifeless hand off the cool mattress. It was scraped and blistered from hours of working a task that its owner was most unsuited for. So delicate, as both Malcolm and Kalin had believed Radley was. He was strong, more than they could have imagined and in more ways than one, but everyone had a breaking point. Being abandoned in the mines and tortured to death had been Radley's. Malcolm and Lawton were gone now, but the chaos and carnage they had left in their wake wasn't going to be easy to clean up. Maybe some things never could be fixed.

"Radley . . . can you hear me at all?" Kalin rasped. "Do you know I'm here? I'm so sorry. I know I've been saying that, and I know it can never make this right, but . . ."

He trailed off, shaking his head. How could Radley ever forgive him or want him around? Kalin had rejected all of his attempts to reach out in friendship, first refusing to believe it was real and later refusing to believe he was worthy of such a thing even if Radley was sincere. Now he and Yusei had left Radley in the mines when they had escaped. Kalin had planned to rescue everyone, including Radley, but Malcolm had ordered Radley's death. He hadn't wanted to keep Radley alive and risk him charming everyone into organizing a revolution. His men had been all too gleeful to carry out the sentence, overloading the shock collar beyond human endurance. Radley had found the kids' father Jordan still alive after the horrible fall thought fatal by Kalin and the kids, and his last act had been to get help. As always, he had managed to surprise Kalin.

". . . You were always so dignified," Kalin said. "That night you stood up to Malcolm in the middle of the night, you showed that you could keep your composure even when you were angry. And you were like that all the time I knew you . . . until you finally broke out of fear and terror because of me. You thought we were trapped in Malcolm's part of the mine forever. And I didn't care."

Kalin choked on his words. He had been so lost in self-hatred and depression that he hadn't even cared that Yusei had been trapped with them. He certainly hadn't been in a good mental shape to care about Radley, or so Yusei kept telling him. But Kalin couldn't get over his guilt and grief and horror over what he had done, especially now that he saw the far-reaching consequences.

"Even now, as you're lying here, it's with dignity. But this never should have been your fate. I should have insisted Yusei and I find you! I can never ask forgiveness for this. Just . . . please come back, Radley. Come back for your own sake, and everyone who loves you. You're not alone, even though I understand now that you felt like it."

Radley's sad words when he had found Kalin outside the mine and tried to lead him to Jordan were still haunting him.

"I know you hate me, but I'll be out of your life soon."

Kalin hadn't even paid much attention at the time, since Radley had followed that up by telling him Jordan was still alive. Of course Kalin had pounced on that, after his horror and devastation over losing the man when the kids had tried so hard to find and save him. It had only been when Jordan had started to receive the needed help that Kalin had remembered Radley, but by then it had been too late. Radley had quietly left to die all alone in the corner, not wanting time to be wasted on someone who had no chance left when Jordan still had a chance and needed all the help he could get.

Kalin had finally started to realize what had happened and had worked tirelessly to try to revive the poor man. But although he had at last got Radley to breathe again, and his heart was slowly but steadily beating, there was no response to any of Kalin's pleadings. It was amazing that he was alive again at all, but was he truly alive in his heart and soul, or were they still too crushed to pieces by all that had happened?

"If only I had understood you before," Kalin whispered.

Radley had always been an unusual series of contrasts. He was outwardly tough. He'd had to be, running a motorcycle gang and looking after all of the Bunch. He had always presented himself to Malcolm and other enemies with snark, sarcasm, and a hint of danger, as Kalin had seen that strange night and on many other occasions as well. He wasn't to be messed with. If he had to, he really could fight, although he preferred not to.

Most who had seen him had initially found him very worldly. There were always rumors floating around of what he was like and what he did. Some made sense with the image he presented, while others . . . really did not. Radley had particularly expressed bewilderment over the smoking rumors.

Kalin himself had bought into all of that at first. He hadn't bothered to look deeper, to see how the Bunch loved Radley, and how many of the townspeople did too, and how the extent of his supposed "wild carousing around" was actually drinking soda or cactus cider and scolding Scotch and Biff when they danced on the diner's counter. It was only in the last couple of hours that Kalin had been able to think about everything with a clear mind and realize the truth. Radley was gentle underneath the smirking facade, a sheltered rich boy who had been forced to learn to toughen up when his family had turned against him and he had started gathering other outcasts like him to try to give them a better life.

Of course Radley wasn't perfect, even though Scotch and others in the Bunch idolized him to the point that he pretty much was perfect to them. Radley loved money and power and had wanted to control the dyne mine. Kalin had focused on those things before, no matter what else he saw. Now he clearly saw the rest. Radley had never wanted anyone harmed, and in coming to Crash Town those years ago and meeting the brutish Malcolm, he had discovered a higher purpose in trying to gain control of the town—or rather, trying to keep it away from Malcolm's cruelty. He had agreed to the dusk duels as the lesser of evils when Malcolm had terrorized the townspeople to get at him, and he had fought for years to keep Malcolm from winning and taking over completely, knowing how the town would suffer far worse if he wasn't there to push back against Malcolm. The permanent lines under his eyes and by his mouth showed his exhaustion from that.

Noble protector. . . .

Kalin had once never thought he would think any such thing about the man lying so still in front of him. It had sounded ludicrous before. But Radley's last name Ramon actually meant protector, and he had lived up to that as best as he could. The dusk duel mess had been horrible, but Lawton's totalitarian takeover had been far worse. Radley had never tortured his miners or treated them like slaves, and his goal had always been to defeat Malcolm down to his last man until he was forced to surrender. That hadn't worked out, but he had tried. Still, Radley had sank into despair and devastation after being captured and abandoned in the mines, blaming himself for everything that had hurt the town and believing no one wanted him because of it. Now he was almost dead from both the physical and the emotional torture. As the hours dragged on with Radley in a silent and sad coma, it seemed more and more that Kalin's suspicion was true and that it was only his body that was alive. His spirit was still dead, lost in hopelessness and grief.

Everyone would be happier without me.

Kalin gripped Radley's cold hand a little bit tighter. He couldn't swear Radley had really spoken those words to him. Maybe it was his imagination as he became swallowed up in his guilt over having left his ex-boss behind. He hadn't known Radley would be tortured and killed, but that hardly mattered to him. He had still left Radley when Radley never should have been left.

"No one wants you to go," he rasped. "The Bunch is so lost in despair they can't stand it. Billy almost killed himself. The townspeople are grieving. Belle just cried her heart out.

"You tried to help all of those people, Radley! You did help a lot of them! I know I didn't listen before, but . . . now I'm remembering, and listening. Who knows where most of the Bunch would be if you hadn't taken them out of their miserable home lives! And the town . . . if it had fallen to Malcolm sooner . . . who knows how many more people would be enslaved, or dead . . . ! He probably would have started forcing the townspeople to be miners, instead of just sticking with the ones who agreed to the terms and dueled.

". . . But it all falls on deaf ears, doesn't it? I understand. I was inconsolable over my mistakes. Even less than twenty-four hours ago, I didn't find life worth living. But now I finally do again, only to find that you no longer believe that. You, who always smiled and laughed and found ways to bring joy even in the midst of this terrible war Malcolm started. Will you ever smile or laugh again? If Yusei and I hadn't left you, would you still be like you are now? Would you have still lost hope? If you realized that even one person still wanted you to live, would you try to fight? . . . I wish you could know. If you only knew how much so many people want you to come back. . . .

"Or do you still have some fight left? Is that why you revived at all? Keep fighting the shadows, Radley. Please . . . hear my voice and find your way back to the light."

He hesitated, then brought those bruised and scraped fingers up to his mouth and pressed his lips against them. Would Radley feel that? Would he come back, even just to demand to know what the hell Kalin was thinking? Or . . . would he be glad and somehow forgive everything, as Yusei and the kids had?

Kalin didn't know. But he did know he was going to keep staying there until Radley decided what he was going to do.

He wasn't going to leave again.