I don't own Yugioh 5ds
"Alright first order of business-clothes shopping."Jack said pointedly staring at Yusei and Bruno. They were on the wide variety of department stores on the second floor. They had met up with the twins and Bruno and dragged them down a floor. Akiza's flush was fading but still quite visible.
"Alright lets get this over with." Yusei sighed.
"Oh come on Yus, Clothes shopping isn't that bad.''Bruno said amused.
"You haven't gone shopping with Jack before."Yusei pointed out. They entered the store and they dispersed into the clothing racks.
"Hey Yusei! How about this?"Luna called holding up a pink turtleneck sweater with black stripes around the cuffs and a picture of a unicorn on the back. It looked thick and not at all preferable in the normal New Domino weather, even if nowadays it was getting colder.
"I'm not sure that's what I'm looking for Luna. But thanks."
"How about this? You and Bruno could both get one!"Leo had sparkles in his eyes as he held up a tiger print tight muscle tee with fur lining.
Yusei was deciding on how to tell the boy no without hurting his feelings when Bruno answered for them both. "I don't think its either of our styles Leo. It's not my color."He raised an arm as if to show that the bright neon orange would clash with his pale skin.
"Oh alright. I'll keep looking."Leo flashed them a thumbs up and dove back into the racks.
"Actually I think I'm done."Bruno said, holding an armful of shirts, flannels and jeans. "There's not much I can wear to school and anyway I feel more comfortable with my usual clothes. Yus, have you found anything yet?"
There was that nickname again. Jack didn't know why he felt so bitter and angry when Bruno of all people called Yusei 'Yus'. It irked him. Jack had come up with that nickname when they were kids so why was everyone else using it.
Akiza clapped her hands"Why don't we make this a competition? Who can come up with the best outfit for Yusei?" She glanced serendipitously at Jack. This was his chance.
"I'm in!"Luna called.
"Me too."chorused Crow and Leo.
"All of might as well quit now because the King's going to win this."Jack declared.
"Wait a second, don't I get a say in this?"Yusei asked, a little nervous.
"No!"Everyone shouted at him and then shot each other glares.
"This is war!"Leo growled at Jack. "If I win you have to stop calling me a brat."
"Hmm I'm sorry I don't speak brat language."
"Hey if we're making deals, I want something."Crow complained. "I want all of you to do the chores around my place for a month."
"Thats no fair."Akiza scowled. "I want you guys to get me that new strawberry-rose latte at Sta*bucks. And I don't want any homework from our sessions Yusei."
"I want you guys to wear this for a week if I win."Bruno held up a hairy chest t-shirt.
"What no!"Luna shrieked. "If I win I want you to get me lots of plushy toys." Their hearts melted at her innocent request but there was still a competition to go on.
"Jack, what's your wager?" Crow asked.
Jack pondered for a few seconds. "I'm not sure. I'll tell you after I win."
"That's not fair."Leo groaned. "And I'm going to win, not you!"
"We'll see brat." He turned towards the jacket section. "Yusei go sit over there." He waved a hand over to an otoman in front of the changing stalls. "If you need anything grab one of us but you're not to move from that spot."
"Well okay then. Let's do this." To be honest Yusei was glad to be able to sit. His leg was really weighing him down but he didn't want to worry the others. He sat, propping his leg into a more comfortable position. The shop wasn't particularly full with only a few patrons milling around. There were a gaggle of workers near the front chatting with each other animated a few of them glancing in their direction and giggling.
Yusei turned his face away so that they couldn't see it. He did not want to get in trouble if one of them decided they didn't like what they saw. Especially not with the others knows what Crow or Akiza might do to them.
He looked at Crow who seemed to be deciding between two very similar jackets. A pang of jealousy filled him. Why wasn't Crow scared of being outside? Especially with the numerous golden brands littering his face. Yusei supposed it had to do with the fact that nobody wanted to mess with him. Crows got an unnerving look in his gray eyes. They were like lasers and could switch from kind to dangerous in only a few seconds. Yusei wasn't stupid. He knew why Crow had called them all together. It was so that he would spend more time with Jack and perhaps try and break the unspoken wall between them. Yusei was appreciative and he really wanted to try but something kept holding him back. The slip of paper in his pocket felt heavy.
"Hey Yus."Bruno walked over with a plain white shirt. "How do you feel about 3 quarters?"
"Hm, what?"
Bruno rolled his eyes. "Sleeves Yus. Sleeves."
"Oh well. I guess I don't mind. Anything is fine. Besides I don't think I can help you and anyway you have an advantage." He leaned forward slightly, conspiratorially. "You've seen my current style. You know the types of things I wear."
"Oh yeah."Bruno laughed, leaning as well. "I should be able to win."
"I hope you aren't asking for favoritism."Yusei's voice rolled in a slightly seductive tone.
Bruno's face morphed slightly but he ignored the undertone. "I don't need it. I think I can win on my own. I'm going to get everyone to wear those shirts no matter what it takes. I really want to see Crow in his natural state. "
Yusei threw his head back a little and laughed. This caught Jack's attention. He looked over at them and his mind went blank. Who does that prick think he bloody is? Jack grabbed the nearest item of clothing and walked haughtality over to the pair.
"Do you mind?" he scowled at Bruno.
Bruno straightened."I was just leaving. Good luck!"He scapermed off to the shoe aisle where Crow and Leo were squabbling.
Jack turned back to Yusei's breathtaking blue eyes. "I-I just need to see if this matches your tone and actually fits." He inspected the jacket that he had brought over without much thought. The duffel coat was a pale cream color with a bluish tint. The linings were a deep navy and the buttons were silver. It was actually a nice pick.
"Sure." Yusei put down his crutch and grabbed the jacket. The embroidered logo on the front read Stardust. He looked comfortable in the jacket although it was a size too big. Yusei was surprised, he hadn't expected to like it so much.
"Hold on a sec." Jack reached forward to adjust his collars. Strands of Yusei's long bangs tickled his fingers. He smelt like motor oil. Jack fiddled with the collar from the back to the front resting his hands on its edges. The touches were light but deliberate.
"Sometimes I forget, you worked with a designer for a bit." Yusei murmured, staring at Jack's hands.
"Well as it seems they didn't want me. I was fired for being rude. Which I was not."
"You started to insult the other models and a few of them were crying. I think that was a little rude."
"Oh please, they were overly pretentious peacocks. You should have heard what they were saying about each other. It was definitely worse than what I said. I just said mine out loud and not behind closed doors."
"I can imagine. Its really too bad you got fired. "
"I wouldn't have it any other way. I love racing and if I continued to work for them I wouldn't have been able to see you guys as much. As much as I've messed up I wouldn't have it any other way."
"But you're broke now."
Jack shook his head. "I've got a job. It might be temporary but the pay is amazing. They gave me an advance a few days ago."
"As the Senators driver huh? He's a good man. He offered to pay my tuition if I go to college."
"So why don't you?"
Yusei paused a second and adjusted himself slightly on the otoman."I wouldn't be allowed on campus. And if I was I don't think the teachers would take kindly to a criminal in their class. I wouldn't be able to get anywhere without someone with me. And anyway I like my garage." Jack could sense Yusei's slight hesitation at that last sentence.
"You can take care of yourself. What happened to that witty little bastard that caused an entire gang to destroy themselves just because they were cat-calling Akiza?"
Yusei didn't smile at this. "You don't know me. He's gone. I'm not that person anymore."
"Thats bullshit-"
"Jack are you done?"Yusei said coldly. He grabbed Jack's hands and lifted them off him. The jacket followed after.
Jack swallowed. "Yes. I am. " He grabbed the coat and hurried away before Yusei could see the hurt in his eyes.
About a half and hour later everybody was ready with their picks.
Akiza went first. She shoved an armful of clothes into Yusei's arms and pushed him into the changing room. He came out wearing a red bowling hat, a black pink floyd tank top, black leather pants and a cherry red blazer with ¾ sleeves that were folded back. On his feet he wore heeled black boots. The laces were red. It wasn't bad but it wasn't his style. Crow thought he looked like a musician. Jack pointed out that the bright red lightened his tan and made him hard to look at. But this was coming from the guy who was staring at Yusei's rather prominent rear end.
Next up was Leo's pick. When he gave his bundle of clothes to Yusei he had asked "Are you really going to pick Akiza's?"
To which Yusei responded with a wink,"No she can't get out of homework that easily."
It was so typical of Leo that Yusei actually considered not putting it on and burning it. But he did and the humiliation wasn't worth it. He wore the orange leopard print muscle tee that stopped low across his midriff. Over that he wore an aviator's jacket with white fur lining and ripped black cargo pants with a silver studded belt. On his feet were flip flops. Not one part of the outfit made any sense. Leo was laughing so hard he started coughing.
"Leo you weren't even trying were you?"Yusei accused.
"I was! I was!"Leo promised. "I thought you looked cool. Like someone out of a magazine."
"If you wanted a model you should've chosen Jack." Yusei mumbled. He huffed and turned back into the changing room. "Alright who's next?"
Luna stepped forward and handed him a bundle. Yusei saw an exorbitant amount of pink in there.
A few seconds later he stepped out wearing an oversized pink t-shirt over a black t-shirt that extended into gloves. A pair of tight faded blue jeans adorned his legs and were tucked into pink hiking boots. He also wore clip-on star earrings and a few charm bracelets and necklaces. Out of all of the clothes so far these were the most comfortable if not actually practical. He could not go outside wearing a shirt that had a glitter Unicorn on it. It hurt his heart to see Luna's hopeful expression but this just wasn't what he was looking for.
Crow's pick was plain and not unlike what he usually wears. A simple navy t-shirt with a dark gray vest and cargo pants. He also wore brown hiking boots. It was the most practical outfit so far.
"Come on Crow, we can't take him out in public like that."Jack scoffed.
"What? It suits me just fine. It's practical."
"Yes because you're built for something like that and in case you haven't noticed Yusei is not you. He's leaner and taller. It looks like he's drowning."
Crow huffed but didn't argue. "Who knew a dumbass like you was so good at fashion."
"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME, BROOM HEAD?"
Bruno handed his clothes to Yusei as the pair started their daily round of bickering. "Put this on first, then this."He gestured to the bundle. Yusei flashed a quick smile and ducked back into the changing room. His leg was aching with all the movement. He sat for a second and sighed, trying to relax his body. He took a look at what Bruno had gotten him and smiled.
A few minutes later he opened the door. Yusei was wearing a blue jacket over a black and red t-shirt with dark gray jeans and soft brown boots. He wore a knee brace over his jeans on his bad leg. The knee brace helped stabilize his leg into a stiffer position. He was grinning widely. It was a really practical outfit meant for anything from sleeping to working.
Bruno flashed him a thumbs up, "I've got good taste."
"Mine was better."Leo muttered.
"How's it feel Yus?"
"Great actually. My leg feels supported and I'm comfortable." Yusei was trying to fight the grin off his face at the fact that Bruno had gotten his tastes right. Although they have been living together for more than a year by now so he would have been disappointed if Bruno wasn't that observant.
"Great last one then."Jack rose and thrust a bundle into Yusei's arms. "Don't make up your mind just yet. Not until you see what I've got."
Yusei raised an eyebrow good naturedly. "Alright then. Lets see it."
When he came out of the changing room he seemed different. All the occupants of the room noticed it. Yusei's back was straighter, his posture more open and his normally bowed head was held high. He had smoothed his bangs away from his face slightly not hiding his brand. Crow and Akiza were shocked. He looked like the Yusei from 3 years ago, before he was carted off to the Facility.
Yusei felt it himself and for a few moments he didn't feel like his leg bothered him. In fact he felt better than before almost like he was ready to ride again. The clothes themselves were simple- a black ¾ sleeve shirt tucked loosely into fading gray jeans that weren't too tight nor too loose, with a leg brace under it for support. He wore black cap-toed ankle boots and the jacket Jack had presented earlier over his shirt. He felt more confident in these clothes for reasons he didn't even know.
Jack looked smug. Crow swatted him. "Wipe that grin off your face! How'd you do it?"
"A magician never reveals their secrets." Jack was staring at Yusei grinning. "How does it feel?"
"Good actually. I like it."
"Of course you do. It's something new that incorporates your older style. It's practical and comfortable. Of course it helps that you were dressed by the one and only King Jack Atlas and his magnificent skills."
Akiza rolled her eyes and joked,"And that's why you keep getting fired."
Jack said pointedly. "And that's why you'll never have a date."
Before Akiza could respond Leo jumped up and asked. "Yusei which one is your pick!?"
Yusei thought about it. A million thoughts raced through his head. He knew which two he liked the most but which one between the two of them? His heart was pulled in one direction and the other and for some reason he felt nervous.
Finally after a long moment he answered. "I'll take Jacks. But I also need more clothes. I can't live with just one set of clothes, that's what I've been doing."
The twins booed and whined and Jack grinned. "I'll go grab a few more things then." He walked off to the racks, his satisfaction evident in every step he took.
"Nice job Yus, you managed to feed his ego." Crow grinned good naturedly. He knew he probably wasn't going to win.
Yusei turned to Bruno. "Sorry I didn't pick yours. I did like it though."
Bruno waved a hand. "Don't be sorry. Even a blind man could tell you liked this one more. You seem more confident in it. It suits you." He placed a light hand on Yusei's shoulder.
"Alright you guys finish up here. Akiza can you take us to the ball pit?"Leo asked.
"I'll come too." Crow said following them out.
Jack returned with an armload of clothes. "Found 'em. These should all be your size, Yusei." He noticed Bruno's hand on Yusei's shoulder and frowned slightly.
Bruno quickly pulled away. "Cool. You guys finish us here. I want to grab some food."
"Don't you need to pay for your clothes?"
"Already did! Later! Come on Leo, lets go get some fries."
Before they could say anything Jack and Yusei were left alone in the store.
"Um...Alright I guess I'll go pay for these…."Yusei mumbled, turning towards the register.
"Why don't you just wear what I picked out right now? It would be alot more comfortable than those clothes you're wearing now,"Jack pointed out, taking the clothes from Yusei.
"Oh alright."Yusei relented and walked back into the changing room. He tried hard not to think about the fact that Jack was right outside. His heart was beating so fast at the mere thought.
He hugged the jacket around himself and when he went outside he saw Jack at the register accepting the bags from the cashier.
He limped over. "Jack! You shouldn't have paid for those!"
Jack winked at the lady and turned to face Yusei. "I was supposed to get a wish granted for winning right? Well this is my wish."
"Let me pay you back."
"I got an advance from Akiza's dad. Don't worry about it. If you wear them then think of that as my payment." Jack stood close enough to Yusei that Yusei could smell the coffee on his breath. Jack brushed a lock of hair away from Yusei's shoulder. "Looks good." He said softly. Jack's heart felt like it was trying to burst out of his chest, he was so happy.
Yusei averted his eyes slightly. "I'm sorry for acting like a total ass before."
"It's fine. It was my fault. I shouldn't have pried."
Yusei shook his head. "No you were right. I've spent all this time feeling sorry for myself for being stuck in this crappy situation. I thought I couldn't do anything about it." He gave a short chuckle. "That's not like me at all."
"Damn right. You're the most motivated, level-headed person I've ever met. I've never seen anything hold you down. Don't let it now."
Yusei nodded and grinned."Thanks Jack. "
Just dropping this early since I think the next few chapters are pretty good and set up a pretty good story. Lets see if I can finish this one.