Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds
Where the Lovelight Gleams
By Lucky_Ladybug
Notes: The characters from the show are not mine. The other characters and the story are mine. This takes place post-series and Radley and Kalin are very close. This is a direct follow-up to See What the Time's Done, which heavily involves Radley's estranged family coming back into the picture. I've chosen names for Radley's father, grandfather, and eventually his grandmother based on the irony of their meanings. Fidelio means "He who is truthful and faithful," which is the opposite of how he behaved about his son. Alejandro means "guardian of mankind." He couldn't even be guardian of his grandson. His mother Marisol was named as a reference to A Fistful of Dollars, which the Crash Town arc paid much tribute to.
Chapter One
Christmas was always an exciting time for Satisfaction Town. During the war with Malcolm, it had been one of the few bright spots in the citizens' lives—and the only time Malcolm had agreed to a truce. Since the town had been freed, the people still loved to celebrate, decorating early and taking everything down late. And they still insisted on continuing the tradition of a town-wide party held in Radley's Diner. Or several parties, rather, as they held parties before Christmas, on New Year's, and on Epiphany. Scotch, of course, was the leader of the party-planning committee, but the entire Bunch and the town in general were all too happy to participate.
Kalin enjoyed seeing so much enthusiasm now. When he had first arrived in town, the Bunch's penchant for celebrations had annoyed him. It had seemed pointless and silly in light of all that was happening every night at the dusk duels. But now he saw how they loved to find joy in the midst of tense and worrisome situations and he liked helping them with their parties.
He was also happy to see Radley so happy. The arrival of his mother and his younger brother had immensely brightened his heart. The estrangement from all of them except for little Emilio had weighed heavy on him all the time Kalin had known him. Now his mother was willing to reach out again, and there was at least a chance that some of the others might come as well. The woman was furious at how her mother had kept secret the news that Radley had almost died, and that revelation had opened the doors of communication at last. Kalin was still angry at Marisol Ramon and the rest of the adult Ramons who had disowned his friend, but for Radley's sake he wanted to support and give a chance to any who were willing to reach out to Radley again.
He sighed as he glanced at the day's paper from New Domino City. Lawton was still at large after breaking out of the Facility. He hadn't come after anyone yet, and they were still hoping he would stay away if Sector Security couldn't find him. But even if he laid low, they were sure he would plot some revenge on them from afar. Radley was trying not to worry, and the Bunch was trying not to worry, but no matter how they and Kalin tried to be cheerful, they were all worried.
Radley looked over at him. "Still nothing, huh?"
Kalin nodded. "There hasn't been any sign of him. The Sector Security Duel Runner he stole was found abandoned near a field outside of town, but he wasn't anywhere near it and the farmers hadn't seen him."
Radley sighed. "Well, that's pretty much what we expected. He's still crafty, in spite of his anger and hate for us."
Kalin set the paper aside. "I know you didn't want to have to kill even him, but it would have been better for us if he'd died in that death duel he set up between you both."
"I know, I know." Radley tiredly ran a hand over his face. "I honestly don't know why he didn't die. The fall from that distance should have been fatal for us both."
"It was fatal for you," Kalin growled. They were both still haunted by that horror.
Radley squeezed Kalin's hand. "I still wish there'd been another way out of that mess," he said softly. "You didn't deserve to have that happen."
Kalin gripped his hand. "Neither did you. Are you going to tell your mother about that experience?"
". . . Not for a long time, if ever," Radley said in surprise. "She's upset enough about me almost dying in that blizzard."
Kalin nodded. ". . . I just wondered if it might help with bringing your other family back, if they knew about you saving all of us from certain death and then an angel reviving you. That shows your noble nature and that God does care about you, two things your family didn't believe."
"Well, if it would help, it still wouldn't be like me to say it," Radley mused. "You could tell, if you want."
"Maybe I will," Kalin agreed.
Radley smiled. "I'm sure it would sound better coming from you."
Kalin grunted, but couldn't deny he probably had a point. It might sound arrogant if Radley told those things about himself, no matter how humbly he said it.
Radley turned back to his task of decorating the counter, growing thoughtful as he worked. He really hadn't dared to hope that the rest of his family would come for Christmas, even though his mother and his younger brother had. That had been miracle enough after so much estrangement, and he would have been more than content with that. But when the door of the diner opened and a familiar man awkwardly stepped in, Radley stared in disbelieving amazement. "Dad?"
Fidelio Ramon nodded. "Son . . ." His voice was thick with emotion.
Kalin just stared at him, keeping quiet to allow the reunion to play out. The Bunch came up next to him, stunned.
Radley came around from the counter and stepped closer. "You really came," he said in awe.
"It's long overdue," Fidelio said. "You should have been with us all these years. I'm so sorry. . . . I never should have gone along with what your grandmother wanted! Your mother and I tried to find you . . . but I never knew she had. She didn't tell me. Maybe she thought I'd run right out to you and she wasn't ready. I don't know."
". . . Why didn't you come with her and Emilio now?" Radley softly asked.
"Your grandmother insisted I had too much work to do," Fidelio said. "And like the coward I've always been, I let her bully me again. But when your mother sent the video showing how you handled the town meeting, I felt bold enough to tell your grandmother I was going out to see you and she couldn't stop me."
Radley sighed. "Well . . . at least you're here now." He came forward, slowly, and hugged his father close. "I missed you."
Fidelio stiffened, but then returned it, clutching his son to his heart. "I missed you . . . so much," he whispered. "Without you, things have never been as bright at the villa. Of course, Emilio is a delight, but he can't replace you, no matter what cruel message your grandmother was trying to send with his name."
"Thank you for saying so," Radley said softly. "I'm not sure what hurt worse when I found out, that you guys had another kid after years of insisting I couldn't have a sibling, or that you named him something that means 'rival.' Emilio's such a good kid. He doesn't deserve to that have on his shoulders."
"No, he doesn't," Fidelio sighed. "Of course, now that he's used to his name, we have no intention of changing it, but . . ."
"Yeah, you wouldn't want to do that," Radley said. "But he doesn't have to fulfill its meaning."
"I don't think he would even if we told him he had to," Fidelio chuckled. "He loves you too much."
Radley smiled. "And that's meant so much to me."
He started at the sound of someone else approaching. "Well, so this is what's become of you now," an older man gruffly remarked.
Radley stared over his father's shoulder. "Grandfather . . ."
"Yes, I decided to come along too," Alejandro Ramon said. He stopped and stood, his hands clasped behind his back. "Your grandmother has felt very strongly about leaving you behind indefinitely, you know."
"I know that all too well." Radley drew back from Fidelio and looked to his grandfather. "At the time I just took it, even though I didn't understand and didn't think it was right. I won't take being treated like that anymore. I'm not the devil because I grew my hair out and am wearing jewelry. And I'm not the devil because I wear leather and ride a motorcycle. I'm hoping you understand that now, Grandfather. If you don't . . ."
Alejandro held up a hand. "You're a successful businessman and an adoptive brother to all these boys. You're a true Ramon. You always were. We're the ones who failed you." He walked over and pulled Radley into a hug. "And I am so sorry."
Overcome, Radley hugged back. "I longed so much to hear this for years," he whispered. "Now that I am, it doesn't even feel real. It's like an amazing dream."
"It's what should have been our reality years ago," Alejandro said. "We never should have turned you away. The sad thing is, if we hadn't, would you have met all these people who mean so much to you?"
"I don't know," Radley admitted. "That's a question I think about a lot."
"Well . . . we still shouldn't have done it." Alejandro hugged him again. "God managed to turn your Hellish experience for good, but that's no excuse to all of us."
Radley snuggled into his embrace. ". . . Is Grandmother still unmoved?" he softly asked.
". . . She's here," Alejandro carefully replied. "That in itself is a huge achievement, all things considered, just as it is for all of us. But . . . as to whether she'll be as kind to you as we've been, I don't know."
"She was never kind," Radley sighed. "I wouldn't expect her to start now." He looked around. "But . . . she's actually here?!"
It was then that he spotted the hateful woman standing silently in the doorway, mostly enveloped by shadow as she watched the reunions. Despite not being able to see her eyes, Radley knew she had met his gaze. But without a word, she turned and walked away.
Anger filled Kalin's eyes. Hadn't she already hurt Radley enough?! Had she come out to deliberately hurt him more? It was tempting to run after her, and he could see that many of the Bunch felt the same. The only thing that held any of them back was wondering if they would make it worse.
Radley looked back to his grandfather and his father, shaken. "She still hates me," he said quietly. "But then . . . why did she come?"
"Give her time," Alejandro encouraged. "This is her first glimpse of you other than in the paper in almost eight years. She doesn't know what to say to you yet. Maybe she's trying to work out something nice to say."
"I really doubt that, but thanks," Radley said with a weak smile. "It's a nice thought, at least. And anyway, you and Dad are both here and talking to me. That's huge! Will you both come over and meet my other family?"
"Yes, I would love to," Fidelio smiled back.
"So would I," Alejandro agreed.
Kalin and the Bunch came forward. They had wanted Radley to have his moments alone with his family, yet they hadn't been sure they trusted Radley's family not to hurt him again. Now they were starting to relax.
"Hello," Kalin greeted.
Fidelio looked to him and swiftly did a double-take. ". . . Do I know you from somewhere?!"
"Yes," Kalin said without skipping a beat. "Radley and I met at the airport when I was five. I wanted to go with him, but he was dragged away."
"That was you?!" Fidelio still looked like he could hardly believe it.
"God was working indeed," Alejandro commented, shaking his head.
"Yeah." Radley smiled and hugged Kalin close. "We should have stayed together then. But at least we met again later."
Kalin returned the hug, but looked contemplative. "If we really had stayed together then, though, I might not have met Yusei, Jack, and Crow," he realized.
Radley frowned. "Oh, that's true. Yeah, you'd need to have still met them also. I'm sorry, Kalin. I didn't stop to think."
"It's fine," Kalin said. "I wish I could have stayed with you and still met Yusei, Jack, and Crow. But I guess I couldn't have had it both ways, and it's a moot point anyway."
"At least it's all worked out now!" Scotch chirped. "And even you guys are here! Radley's wanted that for so long!"
"I should have been a man years ago," Fidelio frowned. "I only stood up to my wife's mother one other time, when Radley was on the floor going into that anaphylactic shock and she thought he was faking."
Pain flashed through Radley's eyes at the memory. "Yeah," he said. "You saved my life back then, Dad. There's no question about that."
"I said once that I wanted to punch all of Radley's family, except you, since you'd saved him," Scotch said. "And of course I didn't mean Emilio either!"
"I deserve punching too, though," Fidelio said. "I just allowed Radley to be sent away."
"Yeah, that was messed up," Virgil growled. "There was no excuse for it."
"There definitely wasn't," Kalin coolly agreed. He sighed. "But you're here now, and that's what Radley has wanted so badly. So you'd better really stay loyal to him now. None of us will tolerate him being hurt again."
"We won't tolerate it either," Alejandro said.
"I don't know how Radley can forgive us, but we will try to live up to this incredible, undeserved second chance he's willing to offer," Fidelio said.
"And that's all I want from you," Radley smiled.
"So! Where is my daughter and my other grandson?" Alejandro asked.
"They're visiting with some of the townspeople at the church," Radley said. "There was a ladies' social and Mom was invited. They said the kids Emilio's age would be there too, so she took him to meet them."
Alejandro nodded, looking pleased. "I'm glad this little town has a church," he said in approval. "I've always heard mining towns are very worldly."
"This one sure was," Radley admitted. "But a lot's changed since then."
"Including that we still have a pastor," Kalin remarked. "For a while it looked like he'd been killed by one of our enemies. But he was thankfully found alive later."
Fidelio stared at him. "This enemy was evil enough to try to kill a man of the cloth?!"
"Yeah," Radley said darkly. "And . . ." He sighed. "He's the guy who escaped from prison recently. I think Mom called to tell you guys about that. He's still loose out there. We don't know if he's coming after us or planning to just lay low and make sure he stays free."
"He'd better stay away," Fidelio said.
"If my wife got hold of him, he'd regret ever laying a finger on a pastor," Alejandro added.
"I can believe it," Radley said, but a bit of sadness flickered in his eyes. Would it really not bother his grandmother about what Lawton had done to him?
Suddenly realizing his mistake, Alejandro looked chagrined. "Of . . . of course, I'm sure she would be furious with him for harming you as well, Radley," he stammered.
Radley just wearily shook his head. "Nice try, Grandfather, but we all know that wouldn't matter to her," he said. "If it really bothered her, she would have wanted to come to me when she started getting all those papers she hoarded. The only reason she'd care what happened to me would be if it affected the family's reputation."
"There is still caring in her heart for you, Radley," Alejandro said. "Although I know that's hard to believe. . . ."
Radley gave a dry laugh. "Try impossible," he said. He softened. "I'm glad I was wrong about the rest of you, though. It feels so amazing to have all of you back."
"And we will never leave you again," Fidelio promised. "Well, we will have to go back to the villa, but we will always stay in contact with you now."
"That means everything to me," Radley said.
"Are we clear on whether your mom is planning to go back?" Scotch wondered. "She was thinking she might just stay on. . . ."
"That's kinda why she went to the ladies' social," Radley admitted, "to meet more people and try to decide what she should do. She's still really upset about what Grandmother did. She said before she left that she still doesn't know how to live in the same house with her anymore."
Fidelio didn't look terribly surprised. "If she stays on, I will stay too," he said. "Of course, her mother would strenuously object, especially about Emilio's schooling. . . ."
"He was being home-schooled by a governess," Kalin pointed out. "She could move here too, if she was willing."
"She's the one who arranged for Emilio and me to send letters," Radley said. "That doesn't mean she'd want to leave her home, though. . . ."
"She's very well-paid," Fidelio said. "I'm sure she'd be willing to make a change if it meant still getting her paycheck and not having to look for a new job. Anyway, Emilio loves her."
"We're all getting ahead of ourselves, though," Radley said. "Right now we don't know that anyone's staying here."
Kalin nodded. He saw the look in Radley's eyes and understood. Radley didn't want to get his hopes up when it might not happen.
"The social's probably breaking up about now," Radley continued. "Why don't we all go down there and see Mom and Emilio?"
"That's a good idea," Fidelio pounced.
"You know, you guys should have a sleepover while they're here!" Scotch chirped. "Well, I mean you and Kalin do that all the time, but I bet Emilio would have fun joining in too!"
Alejandro raised an eyebrow. "What's this about doing it all the time?" he demanded.
"I mean they often sleep to- . . . whoa." Scotch trailed off, suddenly realizing how misconstrued his sentence would sound.
"WHAT?!" Alejandro boomed.
Radley laughed and shook his head. "We've been through a lot of trauma and heartache and we often rest in the same bed when we're dealing with the fall-out from that," he explained. "It's not sexual at all. It's just for comfort."
Fidelio smiled a bit. "I know you always wanted an arrangement like that," he mused. "You got enchanted seeing it innocently done with siblings in movies and television shows and it was one of the things you wanted to do if you had a brother. Kalin must be someone very special to want that too."
"He is," Radley said fondly. "They all are."
"Hmph. I don't know what your grandmother will think of that, at your age," Alejandro grunted.
Radley just sighed. "I'm too tired to care much what she'll think," he said. "I'm not going to change our lives just because she doesn't like it."
Kalin nodded. "That's how I feel too. She either accepts Radley as he is or she doesn't."
"We'll see," Alejandro said as they headed for the door.
Scotch quickly sidled up to Radley and Kalin. "Hey, guys, I'm really sorry," he said in dismay. "I didn't stop to think before I talked."
Radley smiled at him. "It's fine. We've got nothing to hide."
Kalin nodded. "If Radley doesn't care, I don't either."
Scotch sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I know, but . . . I know your family is super strict, Radley, and if they got the wrong idea it might ruin everything! Then it would be my fault. . . ."
"Hey." Radley drew an arm around Scotch's shoulders and hugged him close. "Nothing is your fault. It's better if this is out in the open anyway, where we can explain it. Some of the town still gossips. I'd rather my family hears things from us than from the townspeople who have nothing better to do than make up tall tales with an itty-bitty smidgen of the truth, if that."
"Yeah," Scotch said slowly. "That makes sense."
"So don't worry about it," Radley soothed.
When they got outside, the night sky was overcast and snowflakes had started to descend on the town. Marisol and Emilio were coming towards them from the direction of the church, and Emilio in particular was ecstatic.
"Radley! Radley! Everyone is so nice and now it's snowing! I've never seen it falling before!" Emilio spread his arms wide and danced on the sidewalk, catching snowflakes on his hands and on his tongue.
Radley laughed. "It is pretty great, isn't it?"
"I just wish Daddy and Grandpa and Grandma were here, and . . . Daddy! Grandpa!" Emilio ran at both men as he caught sight of them, and Fidelio lifted him into his arms.
"Well, hello there!" he greeted.
Marisol looked to the newcomers in touched amazement. "You came," she gasped.
Fidelio nodded. "I've missed you and Emilio so much," he said. "We have a lot to talk about tonight. We've already got rooms at the hotel."
"Are you all staying through Christmas?" Marisol asked.
"That's one of the things we need to talk about," was the reply.
Radley frowned a bit at that. His grandmother no doubt wanted them all to return home to the villa.
"We have to stay through Christmas!" Emilio exclaimed. "We need to all be together with Radley! Radley has to always be with us for every holiday now!"
"Of course he does," Fidelio smiled.
"I suppose you coming back with us is out of the question," Alejandro grunted, looking to Radley.
Taken aback, Radley's eyes flickered in his surprise. "Not unless Kalin and all the Bunch could come too," he said slowly. "And we have other friends here who are planning to come for Christmas. All of us being here is really the best way."
"Yes, of course," Fidelio nodded.
"I guess we couldn't expect you to leave the family that's been there for you when we weren't," Alejandro gruffly remarked.
"Where I go, they go," Radley said.
"Yes!" Scotch exclaimed. "Of course, we all would come if you wanted to go there, Radley, but the whole town is looking forward to us being here. And Yusei and everyone's coming."
As if on cue, the sound of Duel Runner motorcycles filled the air.
"What's that?" Fidelio asked in surprise, looking around for the source.
Radley looked to Kalin, who nodded. "I think," he mused, "that's Yusei and the rest coming right now."
It was certainly shaping up to be an interesting holiday season.
