Author's note:

I'm sorry. I don't think I'm going to finish this fic. I'm sorry I wasn't good enough. At the very least before I leave, I want to show what I had written for it a couple years ago. It isn't very good, and I can't really finish it now because I spoiled it, but here it is. I'm so, so sorry.

"Wait!"

Syrus ran ahead, stopping in front of Hassleberry. He held his arms out, stopping him from walking further.

"Private," he responded sternly. "Move. Sarge needs me-"

"NO! Let me go instead!"

"Look, I'm all for aguin' who's the better duelist, but now really isn't the time-"

"But that isn't what this is! I DON'T WANT YOU HURT!"

Hassleberry wasn't even mad anymore. Now he was just confused.

"Private, what are you goin' on abou-"

"HassleberryIreallycareaboutyou! Please! Let me protect you!"

He didn't completely understand what was going on. Syrus' face was beet red, and he talked so quickly he didn't catch everything he said. So he was embarrassed? Why? It wasn't like he was admitting defeat. And where did this wanting to "protect" him come from? Alexis covered her mouth, concerned, but also pleasantly surprised.

"What…? Private, I don't understand."

"Please don't make me spell it out! Just stay here! I don't want you to get hurt!"

"Spell what out…? I really don't get it-"

"I REALLY REALLY LIKE YOU! OKAY?!"

The actual meaning of his words still weren't computing through his head. Everyone else seemed to understand, Chazz now snickering, so it made him feel really confused and out of the loop. Instead, he held his head up, trying to act like he knew what his friend was hinting at.

"Um… that's nice…"

"Hey lovebirds," Chazz laughed. "C'mon!"

Oh shoot. Hassleberry's eyes gazed upwards, flustered for a moment, and Syrus took the opportunity to charge ahead of the entire group. His face instantly turned red and he was momentarily frozen, continuing to process those words.

Every clue came rushing to him. It wasn't a mistake that he said his dream guy could survive a collision with a meteor… because he did when it turned out he was a dinosaur in a past life! His nervousness when he was in the cave with him, the way he blushed when he caught him. The flowers he offered. The fact he'd given him a card to help stop his losing streak! So, everything he had said that night in their dorm room was all about him…? He really thought of him that highly…?

He gulped, following behind.

"I'm still comin' with you!"

His words fell of deaf ears, as Syrus was so far ahead, he was long out of earshot. For a little guy, he certainly was fast.