Together Again
Martha had her reservations about Yusei's plan to get his old friends back together. Sure they all cared for one another, but that did not necessarily mean that things could go back to how they were before.
Years had passed since those boys ran around the Satellite Sector like they owned the place. Those days were practically another lifetime. They all had grown and experienced so many different things on their own paths. Jack had learned what it was like to live in the upper crust of Neo Domino City, to have the world in the palm of his hand as the Turbo Dueling King and to be waited on hand and foot. Crow had found new friends, a new flock to look after and developed his independence so much since being that scared little kid who wandered the streets. Kalin was left mentally broken after being revived, with guilt and despair bleeding out from his face from of the grave sins he committed.
Still, Yusei held tightly onto the bonds they all once shared.
Martha took a seat at the table and looked around to each of the boys: Yusei sitting straight up with determination in his eyes, Jack with his arms crossed and leaning back in the chair, Crow with his elbows propped up on the table and his eyes shifting around the room, and Kalin with his head hanging low yet seemingly ready to run out at a moment's notice. "So, have you boys thought about where you want to live now that the Daedalus Bridge is being built to connect Satellite with the city?"
There was a moment of silence before Jack spoke up first. "I'm heading back to the city. I may not be the champion anymore, but that doesn't mean that my turbo dueling career is over."
Martha nodded her head, then glanced over to Crow who seemed like he was about to say something. "Crow, what about you?"
Crow sighed, knowing that there might be backlash with what he was going to say. "I can't leave my flock. Those kids still need me to look after them. I'm staying here in the Satellite...for now."
"And Kalin?"
He barely lifted his head to respond, not raising his voice above a whisper. "I'm not staying in Satellite."
Now Martha looked back to Yusei, whose demeanor had changed to worry after listening to his friends' plans of separating themselves again. "And Yusei, are you still thinking of moving into that garage in the city I told you about?"
"I-I'm still considering it. I was hoping that you guys might want to-"
"Hold it right there, Yusei." Jack cut him off, knowing exactly where he was about to take the conversation. "Just because some of us might be moving to the city, doesn't mean we have to live together."
A quick twinge of anger came across Yusei's face. After everything they had been through together, facing the ultimate darkness and fighting for the safety of their home, how could they all still seem so far apart? "Why not? We're all friends aren't we? We've lived together before."
"As kids on the streets when it was impossible to survive on your own, but things aren't like that anymore for us." Jack let out a long sigh, having had expected this reaction from Yusei. "We may consider each other as friends again, but that doesn't mean things can go back to how they were before. Too much has changed for that to happen."
"Jack's right." Kalin surprised the group by speaking. "A few weeks ago, you guys thought I was dead and I...I don't want to be here anymore."
"No!" Yusei stood from his chair, desperate to stop everything from falling apart on him again. "Listen, you three have always been the most important people in my life. Jack, I know you and I had bad blood when you left for the city and we still aren't on great terms. Crow, you and I grew apart when we found different groups to hang with. And Kalin...I know that our friendship will never be as strong as it was before because of what happened to you in prison and as a Dark Signer, but that doesn't mean that I don't care about you. I care about all of you guys. You're more than just my friends, you're my brothers and I don't want to lose you."
"Yusei, we're not saying that we don't care about each other or that we won't ever see each other again." Crow got up, not liking that Yusei was getting visibly upset. Yusei never normally got emotional, so when he did, it was serious. "I will always consider you three my brothers too, but what Jack said is true. So much as happened in the years since the last time we all were together. We've all changed and have different things in our lives that need to take priority. Living together again...it might be too difficult for us right now."
Yusei slumped back down onto his chair in defeat. He had always dreamed of getting Jack, Crow and Kalin back together again. Even when he thought that dream impossible believing Kalin was dead, he still wished for his brothers back. Things ended so messy for them, with the arrests and betrayals. Yusei would give up almost anything to go back and rewrite those tragedies. He knew that things could never go back entirely to how they were before when they all were kids, but he still believed they could be together if they just gave it a chance.
"Yusei." Kalin almost lifted his hand onto Yusei's shoulder, but the negative thoughts swirling around in his mind stopped him. "You're always saying that our bonds will never be broken."
"Yeah, but..." Yusei sighed. He had wanted this discussion to end in the four of them getting a place together in the city, but instead it seemed like they were all going their separate ways. "I just was really hoping that we would all end up living together again. I know that things have changed and it might be hard for us, but I meant it when I said I didn't want to lose you guys again."
"You're not losing us, Yusei." Crow walked around to his friend and placed his hand on his shoulder with a smile. "I'm expecting you to visit me and my kids every once and awhile. Same with you, Kalin and Jack. Just because we aren't living together, doesn't mean we're ending all communication with each other."
Jack huffed at Crow's comment. "Don't expect me to come back to this dump everyday to babysit those children."
Crow then began to smirk. "Why not? Oh, I see! It's really going to take you that long to earn back your dueling reputation, you won't have time to visit old friends?"
"Damn it, Crow! When did you become such a smart-ass?"
Martha knew that she should have corrected Crow and Jack, but decided to let the outburst slid this one time. Unlike Yusei, Martha knew that in the long run, Jack, Crow, Kalin and Yusei would never be together again like how Yusei wished. But she still wanted to give them this time before they all went their separate ways. Hopefully they would keep in touch, but knowing how self-reliant Jack was, how invested in his kids Crow could be and how uncomfortable Kalin looked just being around the rest of them, even that promise might become broken with time.
Yusei of course would try his best to keep his brothers connected as much as he could.
He would try.
Kalin was quick to disappear after their conversation at Martha's place. Since he had said that he did not want to stay in Satellite, they all just assumed that Kalin might try to find something for himself in the city. But then days went by without anyone hearing from him. It seemed as if Kalin had vanished without a trace. Yusei, Crow and Jack grew more and more worried each day without any sign of him. They knew that Kalin was not in a good mental state. He never should have been left to go out on his own to begin with.
Then Jack went silent too, disappearing into the city's maze and not keeping Crow and Yusei posted on what he was up to. Crow figured that Jack was trying to work his way back to the top of the dueling circuit again and needed time to train. However, Yusei could not help but be afraid that he was losing his brothers allover again, especially when Crow started taking days to return any of his messages.
Then the time had finally come for Yusei to move into his own home in the city.
Martha had reconnected with an old friend, Zora and managed to convince her to let Yusei rent out her garage space for cheap while he was building a life for himself in the city. It was a spacious garage with an upstairs living area, more than enough space for someone who was used to sharing his blankets with others. Situated under Zora's shop in a small neighborhood by a local park, Yusei knew he should have found comfort in the place he now called home. Was this not everything he ever wanted as a kid: A warm, safe place to sleep where no one would look down on him?
Of course, Yusei knew what was wrong with the garage. It was lonely without his friends, the people he used to share that same dream of escaping Satellite with for a better life.
Although, it was not always empty. Luna and Leo visited the same day Yusei moved in, Trudged came over to check out the place and Akiza dropped by as soon as she could. Crow even brought his flock over, joking with the kids that they might get to have sleepovers there if they were good enough. Yusei would have been more than happy to have someone stay over for a night.
He hated when everyone left and he was alone again.
Weeks went by with Jack and Kalin still missing and Crow only reaching out to Yusei ever once and awhile. He was slowly getting used to his new routine in the city, even landing a part-time job at a local repair shop. Yusei was told by practically everyone he met that joining the dueling circuit would be a much better life that being a repairman. With his reputation as the duelist who took down the Master of Faster, he could easily get dozens of sponsors and deals. Yusei did consider it, but in the end that was Jack's dream.
Then one day while walking home from work, Yusei noticed Crow waiting outside of the garage by himself. "Hey, Crow. Is everything alright?"
Crow smiled, but Yusei could tell that there was something else going on with his friend. "Hey, Yusei! Everything's good. I just wanted to drop by, see what you were up to. I was thinking maybe we could talk."
"Sure." Yusei led Crow inside the garage and upstairs of the living area, still only having minimal furniture in it. "I have some ramen if you're hungry."
"No thanks, man." Crow took a seat at the lone table and chairs.
Yusei sat down next to him, glad to get off his feet after what felt like a long day at work. "Are you sure everything is okay?"
"Yes, Yusei. Everything's fine. I just wanted to talk to you about something." Crow said.
"Okay. What is it?"
"Remember a few weeks ago, when you, me, Jack and Kalin were all at Martha's?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I said then that I wanted to stay in Satellite to look over my kids, but the other day Martha told me that she's getting funding from the city to fix up her orphanage. She'll be able to take in more children and give them a great place to live. I figured letting my flock live with Martha would be a better opportunity for them in the long run. I know she'll be able to take care of them better than I ever could."
Yusei could feel the conversation building to a question he hoped Crow would ask. "I know how much those kids mean to you."
"Yeah. I'll still get to visit them. But not having to take care of them everyday myself, there isn't a real reason for me to stay in Satellite anymore. I mean I could. I still have my hideout, if they don't decide to turn it into an office building or something." Crow paused for a moment. He hated that what he was about to do sounded like asking for a handout. "I was thinking that there might be more opportunities for me in the city. You said before that you wanted the four of us to live together."
"Crow." Yusei cut his friend off, just wanting him to get to the point. "Do you want to move in with me?"
"Only if you're okay with it." Crow began to rattle off. "I can get a job to help with rent and I'll pay my own way. And I'll help out with chores and stuff."
"Crow, I'd love for you to move into the garage with me." Yusei smiled, thankful he was getting to reunite with at least one of his old friends.
"Thanks, Yusei...really thank you. By the way, I also came by to see if you had heard from Kalin or Jack in awhile."
Yusei's face fell after hearing that. "No. I know Jack is still in the city, he just won't return any of my messages. I've been trying to get in touch with Kalin almost everyday, but with no luck. I'm worried about him."
"Me too. It was obvious that he wasn't in a good head space. We never should have let him go off on his own."
"I know."
A few days later, after saying goodbye to his flock at Martha's and packing up what little he owned at his hideout, Crow finally moved in the garage. With Yusei always being so calm and collected, it was interesting for Crow to his old friend so visibly excited and happy about them becoming roommates. The two wasted no time getting Crow set up in the second bedroom and he kept his word about paying his own way, quickly being able to find a job with a delivery service. They even celebrated Crow's move to the city with a real dinner out at a nice restaurant.
Everything was starting to look up.
A few more weeks passed by and Yusei and Crow getting more comfortable with living together again. Of course, they did not really have any bad blood between them that would hinder the rekindling of their bond. Still, Yusei wished Jack and Kalin would come back to fulfill the rest of his wish. Although it had been years since being with either of them and tensions persisted even after forgiveness was exchanged, it felt wrong to be without them. Memories of their childhoods flooded Yusei's mind practically every night...of how things used to be. Maybe they could be like that again...or something close to it if they just gave it a damn chance.
Then, Jack showed up at the garage unannounced.
He let himself in and took a seat with Yusei and Crow, not even saying hello. The two could see right through Jack's flat facade and figured something must have gone wrong. "My former sponsors don't want to work with me anymore and no one wants to schedule duels with me. I figured without Goodwin's puppeting I would have to work harder to regain my title, but he apparently did more string-pulling for me than I realized."
Yusei and Crow glanced over to each other. Those words must have been vile in Jack's mouth, but Yusei was more than happy to play along. "So, what are you going to do about it? Start all over and work your way up from the bottom again?"
"I was actually thinking about stepping away from the limelight for a little while. Since no one wants to give me the time of day, I figured why not give them some time to miss me while I work on myself." Jack put up a good front, but Crow and Yusei understood the situation the former champion was in. Maybe in a few years people would be excited to see the Master of Faster again, or maybe it was really time to hang up his helmet.
Either way, Yusei knew that Jack would never ask to join them in the garage. His pride was too big. "So, what do you plan on doing then?"
"I'm not sure yet."
"Well, if you need a place to crash, you're always welcome here." Yusei smiled, hoping Jack would take the bait.
"Thank you, Yusei."
Hook, line and sinker.
Jack was adamant about not sharing a bedroom. He had gotten so used to getting what he wanted as king, there was no way of convincing him otherwise. Crow was first to protest, but after a long yelling match, a solution was proposed. The garage realistically only had two bedrooms, but there was also a large closet that could fit a cot and dresser. It even had a small window. To get Jack to shut up, Crow volunteered himself to move in there. For the first time in their lives, Yusei, Jack and Crow were able to live together and still have their own spaces.
There were of course problems that developed when Jack moved in. He was reluctant to take a job to help pay for expenses. He figured he could ride off of the last of his savings, which left him lazing around the garage while Yusei and Crow worked their asses off to make ends meet. They got on each other's nerves regularly. Crow would toss trash around, Yusei would work on noisy repairs late into the night and Jack would leave his personal belongings scattered around the house. It would take a lot of adjusting, more than what they originally figured it would to get comfortable living in the same spaces again.
They never had those problems when they were kids. They remembered being more on the same page when they were growing up in Satellite; sharing responsibilities, being cognizant of each other and putting out fights before they burned too long. Yusei, Crow and Jack knew full well that changes would have to be made, but the years spent apart were more apparent everyday they were together. That and it also felt like something was missing, the reason they worked so well together in the past. However, it was not the ever-present threat of death that would have overtaken them if they had stopped fighting for survival in the Satellite.
It was more so the person who helped them learn how to fight for an existence that was worth living.
They did not know that Kalin was still in the city, roaming from street to street trying to find a way to escape. He cursed at the Crimson Dragon for bringing him back to life. Everything would have been easier if he had just stayed dead. Now, he was racked with guilt and unable to be around his old team. They might have been the only reason Kalin even had to stay alive, but he got sick to his stomach even speaking their names.
It was dumb luck...maybe fate that Crow was riding around town on a delivery, when out of the corner of his eye he thought he saw his former leader. There was no hesitation turning back to grab Kalin and Crow was not about to let him slip away again. There was protest, but Kalin was so broken he was barely able to put up any sort of a real fight. The next thing he knew, all four of them were together again at the garage.
"Bastard! We've been worried sick about you!" Crow barraged Kalin with more emotion than he intended. "We all promised to stay in touch and the first thing you do is disappear on us. Do you know how scared we all were thinking that we might have lost you again?"
Kalin stood motionless with his three former teammates staring at him. "I-"
"Hold on, Crow." Yusei put his hand on Crow's shoulder to calm him down. "Kalin, look. I know that a lot has happened between us, but I swear we want you back in our lives. We don't want to lose you again. You're our friend."
"I can't." Kalin managed to say through overwhelming emotions.
"It's not going to be easy." Yusei continued. "We're all still figuring stuff out, but please don't think that we hate you."
"Why not?" Kalin bursted out, leaving the rest of them in shock. "Why can't you hate me? I tried to kill you! What kind of person looks someone who made a pact with the devil in the eyes and says they want them back? I can't stand being around you guys remembering everything that I've done to hurt you. There's nothing I can do to make that right!"
"Stop talking like that, Kalin!" Yusei shouted. "You can stay with us! That's how you can make up for what happened, by coming back and staying! Don't think that we're going to let you walk out and throw away the second chance you got at another life! Where's the Kalin Kessler we grew up with?"
"He died! He fucking died and you three are chasing a ghost! Maybe you all can live together again, but I can't! Go back to believing I was dead!"
After watching everyone start to fall apart, Jack finally stepped up. "This is how you repay us for forgiving you after all the shit you've done? Yusei's right. Maybe instead of disappearing on us again, you work to make your revival mean something! That's the least you can do for putting us through hell!"
"I can't." Kalin was on the verge of breaking.
"Yes, you can! You're Kalin Kessler! You fought endlessly for survival back in the Satellite and were so stubborn you wouldn't even stay dead! You're the reason why we all learned to be so determined and fight for what we want, because you showed us how! I can't believe that the same guy we would have followed to the ends of the earth would just let his life fade away because he couldn't handle a little guilt. Time to take your fucking medicine Kalin, because I know you still have fight left in you...we all do."
No one said another word when Kalin brought his hands up to his face. They had never seen their former leader cry before. So much had changed since those boys ran around the Satellite Sector like they owned the place. Those days were another lifetime that could never be brought back no matter how much they wanted or hard they tried for it.
Yusei walked to Kalin and wrapped his arms around him, followed by Crow and eventually Jack. They needed this moment together, just the four of them, to begin to heal. It would be a long road with mistakes and challenges to overcome. Maybe someday they could be a team again. They could smile in each other's directions without hesitation. The painful memories of their shared past would only serve as building blocks for a better future.
Maybe someday they would be...satisfied.
