All right, this should be the last chapter of my story, WHEW! Anyway, I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX. I also extend my gratitude to my reviewers, you have all been invaluable. I don't think this will be my last Jaden x Syrus fic, but we'll see.
One Year Later
The limousine waited patiently outside the huge estate that served as the Truesdale residence. All about the impressive estate, there was a buzz of commotion. One person in particular was very excited. This had been the day he had been looking forward to all year.
Syrus packed his bag, not discriminating between what he would and wouldn't need, a sense of urgency overtaking him. "Come on Zane, aren't you going? Start packing. The sooner you pack the sooner we can leave." Zane stood with his arms crossed in the post of the door staring at the rabid Syrus. "I have no business going back to that academy. My education is done there. But why do I suspect that you aren't going for classes?" Zane asked with a small grin on. Syrus stared at his older brother and smiled innocently, a blush kissing his cheeks.
The two had grown quite a bit over the year since they left. Zane had adopted the family business and now was the heir to the empire. Syrus preferred it that way. At least he could worry about the business, Syrus just wanted to live his life. Zane had also gotten a new look. Not only had he gained more muscle and added more bulk to his form, but he cut the mullet he had worn the year before while still keeping the green bangs.
Syrus had changed as well. True though the year was rough on him, especially for the first few weeks since he came home. He couldn't seem to control his emotions at the time, a sense of loss coupled with confusion and longing. He cried himself to sleep many times, his bed too cold, missing the warm body he held once. But he always thought of Jaden, always. Along the course of the year, Syrus grew a little more muscular, not by much but he wasn't scrawny like he was before. He also adopted a new look. His wild hair he cut a bit to resemble Noah Kaiba. He let his bangs grow and his hair grew spikier. He didn't want to change too drastically because he wanted Jaden to see him just as he left him. The year went by too slowly for the teen's taste, but it was finally here and he received an invitation in the mail asking for his presence at a welcome back ceremony the academy was holding for all of last year's graduates. Although Syrus had not officially graduated, he was recognized as one because of the significant improvement in his skills and knowledge. It was his chance to see everybody again. Though his parents were against the whole thing, Zane convinced them that it could be beneficial for Syrus to see any new developments the school had made, since they held stock in it. That, of course was just a cover-up.
Along the course of the year, he had grown very confident, thinking of what Jaden would do if he was ever in doubt. Regardless of how much he grew and how much stronger he became, he still couldn't escape the emptiness he held in his heart for the course of the year, and at times it was unbearable. Sometimes, after looking at his favorite picture of Jaden, he would break down in tears, once even during class. Despite the hardships he faced during the course of the year, all of it was about to end, and he would be in his arms again.
Zane played his part in helping Syrus as well. He knew how much Syrus cared for the brunette and as the big brother, did everything in his power to make him happy. He didn't expect Syrus to recognize his plans, but it would all work out if he could pull it off. Zane figured he owed Syrus something. He always shunned the smaller boy, but now he realized that he was in fact strong, the events of the past year had revealed that much to him. So Zane studied his hardest, putting aside all social engagements and interests to become the next heir to the family business. He did all of this so Syrus wouldn't have to, and therefore would be able to focus on what was important to him.
"I can't wait to see him." The aqua-haired teen squealed with delight. The older brother stood over the younger and mused, "I'm sure he's thinking the same thing." Syrus jumped up and embraced his brother. "Thanks Zane, you're the best." "Of course."
The limousine waited patiently as the teen carried his essentials to the trunk. One brother rushed into the black vehicle while the other gathered himself properly, creating a vast contrast between the two boys. The drive over to the docks was a very excited event. Syrus tried his best to compose himself in front of Zane, but his face cracked with a restrained smile and he burst out in explosive joy. He hugged his brother again, continually conveying his happiness. "Syrus, please control yourself. Have some dignity and restraint." Zane pushed his brother off of him, a bit annoyed but he understood his brother's restlessness. "Zane, I can't wait. Jaden is waiting for me. I have to see him." The boy squealed with delight. "This childish act won't get you there any faster." Zane put. Syrus finally settled and sat in the leather seat across from his brother, playing with his pocket. His movements did not go unnoticed by the vigilant Zane.
"What do you have in there?" the older boy asked. Syrus looked away from his pocket and smiled gleefully. "It's nothing." He said with a slight blush on his cheeks. "Don't think you can fool me Syrus. What is it?" Syrus took the item out of his pocket and covered it with his hand, keeping it out of Zane's sight. "It's….something for Jaden. Something I had been keeping until I saw him again. "Hmph." Zane shrugged and didn't ask any further questions. He knew it was something special, and far be it from him to tell Syrus what to give to Jaden. He smiled at his younger brother as he went back to observing the item in his hand, knowing it was something that would bring the two closer than ever before.
The time had finally come as the teen stood on the port waiting for the same ship that took him away from his beloved to take him back to him. After a few minutes of anticipation, the ship appeared on the horizon and slowly made its way over to the pier. After what seemed like an eternity to the young Syrus, the vessel finally arrived and docked, waiting for its passengers to board. The excited Syrus climbed aboard the overly extravagant vessel and stood over the balcony to watch for the sight he waited to see for an entire year, Duelist Island.
With a bellowing blow, the horn of the ship sounded and they were off. Zane stood on the dock and waved his brother off. 'Jaden, take care of him.' He thought to himself. Syrus waved back to his brother, wishing he could have come, but he had other things to take care of to run the business smoothly.
The sun had rested close to the horizon, beginning its final descent for the day when the captain announced over the PA system, "Land HO!" At the sound of those words, Syrus rushed to the front of the vessel and saw Duelist Academy on the horizon. His heart began to bounce in his chest. It had been a whole year, 525,600 minutes since he held Jaden in his arms, since he gave him a kiss. Tears formed in the corners of his eyes as they neared their destination. He frantically checked his pockets for the item that he had bought weeks before his initial departure to Duelist Academy. To his relief, he had not lost it, it rested safely in his pocket.
Just a mile off shore, Syrus's grip on the railing tightened, his heart threatening to jump out of his chest. He could just barely make out a few bodies on the island moving about, each one wearing a different blazer. They all seemed to be heading towards the main hall. Syrus practically jumped off of the ship as it was painstakingly trying to dock. With a groan against the docks wooden frame, the vessel finally stopped. One more blast of the horn signaled that it was safe to set foot on dry land. Syrus was the first one off of the ship. He wasted no time in searching for Jaden. he hadn't gotten far in the swarm of students when his attention was skewed from its original intent. "Hey shrimp!" he heard a sharp voice speak behind him. He turned to face a familiar tanned face with dread locks hanging sloppily out of a dinosaur bandana. "Kenzan!" Syrus shrieked. The taller duelist walked up to him and laid his hand over his shoulder, "You haven't grown an inch." He said sarcastically. Syrus pouted before he retorted "And your head hasn't shrunk." "Oh very clever. You think of that all by yourself?" the two laughed. Despite their friendly act they put on for the masses, deep down they were still rivals. Rivals for Jaden's affections. They had always been since day one. But Syrus wasn't worried about him anymore. He knew that Jaden loved him and no one else.
"Listen Kenzan, have you seen Jaden anywhere?" "Oh ho, so you wanna know where he is huh? Well what if I don't wanna tell you?" Syrus gave Zenzan his best puppy dog eyes to convince him otherwise. "That doesn't work on me squirt." "Please Kenzan, I have to talk to him….." Syrus stated, playing with the item in his pocket. "….I haven't seen him in over a year." The teen whined. "That's too bad." Kenzan said almost coldly. "All right, Kenzan, I'm serious where is he?" after seeing Syrus form fists, Kenzan smiled and moved his gaze away from the angered teen and plainly put, "I have no idea." "Ugh! You are no help. Well I'm sure I'll see you later Kenzan, I have to find Jaden." the aqua-haired teen turned and ran in the opposite direction, waving the indifferent Kenzan off. 'Hm, he hasn't changed at all.' Kenzan mused to himself. 'He still loves Jaden even after all this time. Maybe he deserves him more than I do…' the dino duelist thought.
"Jaden! Jaden!" Syrus grew frantic as the evening sun began to set. Where was he? He needed to find him tonight. The event was being held for the graduates, which meant that they all left for home the next morning. And if he couldn't find him tonight, who knows when he would get another chance to see him. "Jaden…." his voice was beginning to fail him. Maybe he wasn't even here. Maybe he already left.
After a half hour of searching and his legs becoming tired, he had searched the entire island once over. He even went back to the old slifer dorms. In all honesty it was very disconcerting to the youth. His hopes were beginning to fade the more time passed and he wasn't with Jaden. Syrus found a bench overlooking the ocean as it sparkled with the colors of the setting sun. It was gorgeous to behold. Everything about this day was perfect, all that was missing was Jaden. Syrus had planned everything, and was hoping for the best. So far, everything he had wanted was granted him. A clear day, a stunning sunset, privacy that he wanted to share with his sweetheart. The only thing missing from his dream day was…the reason he wanted it.
He sat down and pulled the buried item out of his pocket, the item he had been keeping close to him until he returned to duelist academy. It was a ring of a glistening white gold with a red band in the center that traveled around the entire ring. Yes it was a bit extravagant, but he knew Jaden would love it, and that's all that mattered. He had gotten a summer job to help pay for it. It would all be worth the year's burdens if he could just see Jaden again. He fidgeted with the precious circle nervously. He stared at the ring with a growing frown climbing over his lips, what if he never was able to give Jaden his ring? Unbeknownst to the sulking duelist on the bench, there were several pairs of eyes focused on him from the safety of the forest behind him. "Poor kid." The girl of the group said while hiding behind one of the trees. Alexis wanted to help her friend with his predicament, but knew all too well no matter what she said to try to cheer him up, he wouldn't want to hear it. If Jaden wasn't there, her words would mean nothing.
Alexis stood in her light blue outfit with her hair pulled back into a ponytail. She silenced the chatter behind her with a stern "Shh". Chazz and Bastion were behind her giggling over her scandalous new look. She steamed at the boys behind her. The whole reason she changed her style was to impress Zane, but he never showed. "Ha, I knew he wouldn't show, you owe me ten bucks Bastion." Chazz whispered as quietly as he could. Bastion pouted as he reached into his pocket to pull out the money he had wagered on Zane's return. "Hey Alexis, wanna go out for a movie later?" Chazz teased, waving his new found money in his hand. Alexis turned and she was out for blood. Chazz turned and ran for all he was worth. Bastion was quick to run right behind him. Alexis stayed where she was, waiting for the two boys to be out of view before turning back to the sad teen in front of her. 'Maybe I should say something.' She thought to herself. She took a few hesitant steps towards him.
Syrus had heard the entire scene that unfolded behind him and laughed to himself. Chazz and Bastion were so funny together. He could hear Alexis's footsteps coming closer, and he prepared himself for the inevitable pep-talk. "I'm sure he'll show" she'd say, and then she would go into a quick speech about how he could always depend on her. It comforted him somewhat, but it wasn't the same. He needed Jaden there with him. He bent in his head towards the ground, hoping in small part that the girl would leave him alone. He just wanted to be left alone with his memories, that's all he had left now.
Suddenly, he heard the footsteps behind him stop. The boy was curious, it wasn't like Alexis to second guess herself. She wouldn't stop once her mind was made up, so why wasn't she next to him now, trying to console him? The aqua-haired teen opened his eyes from his nostalgic haze and saw a pair of blue Nike shoes and faded jeans cupped above the tongue of the shoes. His eyes traveled further up the body in front of him, his heart beginning to race even faster. His eyes flinched, the setting sun glaring at him as his eyes rose higher up the figure in front of him. All he could see was an Obelisk Blue blazer and black t-shirt under it.
His eyes slowly adjusted to the barrage of light from the orange sun. "Hey Sy, long time no see." A familiar voice came to him with a gentle laugh. Immediately, the teen smiled and jumped from his perch on the bench and flew forward. He didn't see the face of the person in front of him, but he knew without a doubt that it had to be Jaden. Only one voice could make his heart flutter like that. "JADEN!" the teen squealed as he flung his arms around his love's neck. Alexis stood her ground, a few steps behind the two boys and quietly began to slink back into the forest, leaving them alone, a smile gracing her lips.
"Jaden….I missed you." The teen started crying against his beloved. He buried his face in Jaden's neck and inhaled deeply, catching the scent he had missed for over a year. His tears freely fell on the tanned skin he kissed, asking Jaden to do the same. He felt a slight push, creating space between the two boys. Syrus took a few steps back in response to the force. His view of his beloved was hazy at best because of all the tears he had been crying. He quickly wiped them away to see him fully. He could see Jaden as clear as day, and as always, he took his breath away.
The boy had grown a bit, his body becoming more toned. He had changed his hair style as well. He didn't have a whole mop of hair on his head, but it was tamed and flat, but he had adopted a set of spikey bangs that hung in front of his face, gently blowing with the evening breeze. 'Wow' Syrus thought. "Well, what do ya think?" Jaden opened his arms as if to display himself. Jaden had climbed the ladder of power to become an Obelisk duelist and had gained much praise and adulation among the duelists. It was said that he had the potential to defeat Zane and become the next champion of the school. Syrus didn't care about that though, and in truth, neither did Jaden. All that they cared about was in front of them.
Syrus walked closer to the his brunette and longingly wrapped his arms around his waist and laid his head on Jaden's chest. "Jaden, I missed you." He repeated himself, his arms climbing up Jaden's body to pull him into a more intimate embrace. "Sy…." The brunette started. Syrus glanced up from Jaden's chest to see what he wanted. Tears traced both of their eyes as they stared at their significant others for the first time in over a year.
Words were not exchanged between them, nothing needed to be said. Jaden wrapped his arms around Syrus, pressing his body into the smaller boy. He gently left a small kiss over Syrus's flushed cheek. Jaden worked his hand up Syrus's body to the back of his head where he gingerly coerced Syrus to kiss him. The younger teen stared directly into the brunette's eyes, seeing his glories smile light up his angelic features and setting his heart on fire. In response to Jaden's manipulations, Syrus stood on his tip-toes, bringing him closer to his beloved. Jaden let his head fall closer to Syrus, closing the distance between them. With parted lips and a quick breath, their lips met and the two fell into one another. Syrus pushed deeper into the kiss, moving his hand from Jaden's back to thread his fingers in his short hair. Jaden's bangs gently beat against the other's forehead as the kiss deepened.
"Mmmm" Syrus moaned inside Jaden's mouth, a year's worth of passion releasing itself all at once. The brunette let his tongue slowly massage Syrus's lower lip, asking for entrance. The aqua-haired boy tilted his head back slightly and eagerly let Jaden enter his mouth. This was all new to Syrus, he had never had this kind of thing done to him before, but he loved it, especially because he was experiencing it for the first time with his first love.
After another moment, the two separated. Syrus's breath became labored, the memories of Jaden's touch flooding back to him. "I love you Jaden." the boy cooed in his ear. Jaden buried his face in the sea of aqua hair he had missed dearly. "I love you too, Sy."
Syrus gave Jaden a quick, chaste kiss, longing for more. Jaden smiled at his smaller other. His eyes lit up suddenly, as if remembering something important. With a genuine smile, Jaden reached behind his head and grabbed Syrus's hand to release it from his brown locks and bring it in front of him. He held it there while cupping Syrus's chin with his spare hand. "Sy, I have something for you." Jaden teased. He reached into his back pocket, allowing Syrus a level of control since his attention was not centered on him anymore. Syrus nuzzled under his chin, still holding Jaden close with one arm, and entwining his fingers with Jaden's spare hand.
Jaden brought his hand, now fisted, back in front of him. He freed himself from Syrus's protective grip and slowly opened his hand to reveal a glistening silver ring with a blue band encircling the entire item. Syrus was left breathless. He had gotten Jaden almost the exact same thing. He took this time to reach in for his ring he had gotten for his love.
The two presented their gifts to one another, and they both laughed at the coincidence. Jaden stepped forward and took Syrus's hand with his own. "Here Sy, so that u will always know that I am with you." The ring shown with the sheen of the sunlight it reflected. Syrus's gaze never left his beloved's face as he fit the item over his ring finger. Jaden pulled away after his task was complete. Syrus took his time admiring the ring he had given him. "Jaden, it's beautiful." Jaden smiled playfully with his arm behind his head.
Now it was Syrus's turn to do the same for Jaden. He gently placed his ring over the taller boys opposite ring finger. "Here Jay, so you will always know how much I love you." Syrus took a step closer to the brunette after giving him his ring to claim an appreciative kiss. Jaden wrapped his arms around the crying Syrus's neck to pull him in deeper. The smaller boy's tears went unnoticed by the preoccupied boys as they fell to the dirt road. Never had either boy imagined that the feeling that flooded throughout their whole bodies could feel so good. To have someone to love and love them back just as passionately. The two teens stood on the edge overlooking the ocean, the sun finally setting behind the horizon, still locked in their passionate embrace.
The Next Morning
The sun poked its head above the ocean to welcome all who saw it to rejoice in the new day's light. The sunlight found its way over to the Slifer Dormitory and slinked its way through the dark curtains. The light filled the whole room with its shining warmth, allowing all to see the piles of discarded clothes all about the room. The light then cast itself over the two bodies that laid together. The two barely dressed teens laid next to one another. Jaden rested his head in the shorter boy's hair, breathing in his scent. The smaller of the boys gently laid his head against the other's bare chest, his lips innocently pressing against him with every breath he took. Between them were their hands, intertwined, the rings given to each of them glowing in the light of the new day, promising that the two teens would share the day as well as the future…..together.
I feel your presence all around me
With me everywhere I go
Though the road I take may wander
Love will always lead me home
FIN
Whoa, damn! Its about time. Sorry to keep dragging it out. Anyway, let me know how bad it sucked. PLEASE!