Hello everyone! I hope y'all like this chapter. I'm not too sure about it since it didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. Let me know what you guys think!
I don't own Yugioh 5ds.
Bruno stood on the balcony trying to dry his jacket. They had been caught in a downpour the night they had tried to return to Crow's apartment. Crow himself was sleeping on the couch. Bruno had been surprised to see that Crow didn't have his own room. He didn't even have a bed. Bruno had slept on the floor of one of the kids rooms next to 2 others. He had gotten up an hour ago when the door had slammed shut. Crow had apparently left for work in the middle of the night and had dragged himself through the door early in the morning. One of the oldest kids, Caden, had taken his shoes off for him and had thrown a blanket over his still form.
He wrung out his jacket and stepped back inside. It was nearly 8 am and Yusei and Jack were coming to pick him up in about an hour. He grabbed an apron from its peg and rooted through the fridge. It was enough time for him to make everyone breakfast. Caden padded over in his thick socks. He was born with a birth defect that caused him to be almost completely blind in one eye and he had to wear glasses for the other. Even so, he was starting high school with flying colors. "Whatcha making?" he asked.
"Pancakes and Eggs."
"You can't use sugar. Rally can't have any. Also you can't use anything with peanuts, not that we have anything. Although I think the jelly beans were packaged in the same place. No kiwis, apples or strawberries for Jay and Eliza."
Bruno nodded slightly. "Alright then." He said slowly. "Anything you can't eat?"
Caden adjusted his glasses. "I'm lactose intolerant."
"So...no dairy then?"
"No, pretty much everything we get I can eat or drink. Just not certain brands or I might get really sick." He grimaced. " I'm honestly surprised Crow puts up with all of us, what with our different needs and all. He works too hard and it's frustrating since no business will hire me. They say I don't exactly have the most welcoming face and I'd just break things. " Bruno looked at Caden. The kid hadn't smiled once during their time together. He always seemed wary and standoffish. Usually he just sat in a corner and watched everyone else even during dinner. The fact that he was genuinely worried for Crow made Bruno soften a little.
"I guess I kinda understand about not having the most pleasant face. When I was little my parents left me with my Grandmother and never returned. I haven't heard from them in years. Not a single text or phone call. I was really quiet afterwards and never really smiled. I just sat and cried. My Grandmother had Alzheimer's and I was always scared she would forget me."
"Did she?"
Bruno was quiet for a second."Yeah she did. She lives in her little house back in the countryside. I send her money and anything she might need but, as selfish as it is, I don't want to go back. Before she started really losing her memories I remember getting into a huge argument with her. I told her I hated her and that it was her fault I was the way I was. I really hurt her and when I came back she was sitting in her rocking chair. The memory was already gone. I did this alot. Only now do I realize it was a truly awful thing to do."
"Well damn."
Bruno gave him a sideways glance and smiled."Are you sure Crow's going to like you cursing?"
Caden shrugged."What he doesn't know wouldn't kill him. Besides we're the only ones around. Are you going to tell?"
"What if I said yes?"
"Then I'd tell people your secret too. Now we both have something over the other. I don't think you'll tell." Caden put a sly finger up to his lips.
Bruno stared at him. "Are you sure you're only in high school? That sounded downright devilish."
"I'm a kid. I can get away with it. When is breakfast going to be ready?"
About 15 minutes later Crow stumbled groggily into the kitchen yawning and rubbing his eyes. He was still dressed in the uniform from the delivery service he worked at although it was all wrinkled and creased.
"Mornin' Crow." They chorused.
Crow yawned again making Bruno yawn. "Morning guys. Whatcha making?" He peered at Caden. "I hope this troublemaker isn't causing trouble for you Bruno."
"Trouble?"
"Yeah did you tell him what you did at school last week and why you got suspended?" Crow turned towards Bruno. "The little brat threw a girls desk out of the window once. He also got involved with one of the student drug cartels as the ferryman. They suspended him regardless of his grades so for the time being he's grounded."
Bruno felt something click. That explained a lot of the boy's behavior.
"Geez Crow, way to give me some privacy."
Crow ruffled his hair. "I'll give you some privacy when you start acting a little bit more mature. Don't get suspended you hear me? Not again."
"Or what?"Caden challenged. "It's not like you can kick me out or whatever. Honestly I don't get why you put up with us. We're dead weight and it's not like most of us will actually live-"
Crow grabbed his shoulder and shook him. "Don't you dare say that Caden. Don't even think about it. I take care of you guys because you guys deserve a better life than what I had. I do it because I want to. Don't you ever think that you guys are 'dead weight'. I want you guys to enjoy your life. To be able to do things I wasn't able to. You guys are my little fledgelings and I love you all."
Caden pushed Crow away roughly. "Thats why you'll kill yourself huh? Why you'll work yourself to death just because of your selfish wish to be able to make our lives better? It's pointless. You're going to destroy yourself just for some freeloading strays you found off the street! There's no point in any of this! Most of us will just die anyway!" With that he stormed out the door slamming it on his way out.
Crow dropped into a seat at the kitchen counter and dropped his head in his arms.
"Shouldn't you go after him?"Bruno asked hesitatingly.
"He'll be back. He always is." Crow sighed. "I just don't know how to make him understand… I don't mind working so hard..."
"He does raise a good point though."Bruno said, opening a cupboard. " You work too hard."
Crow sighed again. "It's because of these damn brands. The amount of money I make could be earned much more easily at another place, perhaps a bodyguard or teacher or even caretaker position, but I can't get hired. Its the only thing I truly regret. Doing all those small crimes and ruining my record. I was in jail for most of my teenage years. Yusei bailed me out that last time. He won't tell me how much it was or what he sold for it." He continued. "Ya know sometimes I wonder if the kids would have been better off in foster care or some government run home."
They both knew that wasn't even an option. Foster care was unreliable, the families never having through background checks and government homes were overcrowded. They would never have been accepted too. Too many medical needs. Another example of the corruptness of this shitty city.
A little girl rounded the corner and jumped onto Crow's lap causing him to let out a puff as the air escaped his lungs. "Eliza! Why are you up? It's early."
"You guys are loud."She said bluntly. "And I was hungry." She looked around. "Where's Caden? I heard the door slam, was that him?"
Crow and Bruno traded glances." and I had a little squabble so he wanted to step out for a bit. Turn around I'll tie your hair up before it gets even more tangled." Eliza's hair had been flying all over the place as though it had a mind of its own. Crow smoothed her hair back and began braiding it, combing out the knots with his fingers. His hand was deft with experience and practice.
Eliza swung her legs happily. She never seemed to stay still."I heard you guys! I don't think Caden's right. We love you Crow! We like being with you! It's fun!"
He scrubbed at his eyes and laughed. "You guys..."
Eliza's mind started to wander and she started to prattle on about different topics barely stopping to take a breath. She spoke about the kids at school, what she likes doing, all her drawings and even had a debate with Bruno about what type of candy was the best.
Bruno's phone buzzed on the counter with a text from Yusei. Hurriedly he set out breakfast and grabbed his jacket. Crow accompanied him downstairs and onto the ground level of the apartment building.
As they said their goodbyes Bruno looked at Crow's retreating back. No matter what he thinks, Crow was a great parent. Another life ruined because of their past.
He slammed the door behind him as he climbed into the back seat. "What is all this stuff?" Two large boxes took up the seat and floor next to him. They were taped shut and the one on the seat was seatbelted.
"Some supplies we picked up. The stuff from Don's is in the truck." Bruno remembered that place. He had only gone once but once was enough to keep him away from there. It only opened during the night and was closed in the mornings. He didn't know why but Yusei told him it was because apparently he doesn't deal with normal customers and everything that went down there was very hush-hush. Either way he didn't really want to know.
"Cool. Oh yeah can we go to the grocery store? We ran out of stuff."
"Sure."
"Again, I'm not your ferry."Jack grunted then yawned. "I have work in a few hours."
"Work?This early? I thought the Senator was going to work in the evenings."
Jack nearly cursed. Fuck. He let his mouth slip. He hadn't told anyone about the encounter with Tanner. After he had dropped the Senator at the Council building, surrounded by bodyguards and security officers, he was told to wait inside the building. It was magnificent, with high arching ceilings and painting and frescos everywhere. Once the Senator had finished his meeting they had filed a report with the police and Jack was questioned heavily. He himself was nearly arrested for opening his big mouth but luckily for him the Senator vouched for him. This was taken extremely seriously and a plan was concocted to throw off any stalkers- the Senator's schedule would 'change'. To the world it would seem like he was attending meetings towards the afternoon instead of early in the morning, that way any sort of ambush point could be avoided. Not even his family was told-they believed him to be in his study working. Extra security forces were added to his house and whenever Jack drove him, a burly security guard sat next to him. Jack guessed that Akiza had mentioned it to Yusei beforehand.
"Oh right."He mumbled. "Yeah I forgot. I have to go pick something up for him. Sorry I guess I'm not really used to this new schedule yet." He didn't see how Yusei's eyes narrowed slightly.
They dropped by a few more shops and garages. Yusei sat in the car while Jack and Bruno bartered and lugged different tools, gallon jars of gas and oil, and food into the car. Jack prayed the smell wouldn't linger or else Akiza would give him hell for it. He noticed that Yusei wasn't stubbornly insisting on coming into the stores. He seemed only slightly frustrated at not being able to help but after being vehemently opposed by Bruno and Jack he relented.
It was a tense between Jack and Bruno, although Bruno didn't seem to notice. He was fawning over some pieces of hardware and computer parts in the back of the store. Jack tapped his foot against the tiled floor. "Are you done yet?Its been well over an hour by now."
"Just a minute..." Bruno trailed off as he spotted something towards the top of the rack. It was well out of his reach but he tried anyway. He jumped but missed. "Aww..."
Jack strode over and grabbed it. "Now are we done?"
"Yeah. I think thats everything. Finally we can go home. I've got a bit more homework to finish up." He said it airlly as though he had no intention of actually doing it.
"Good."Jack checked his watch. He was pushing it, but he could probably get changed and get over to the Iziniski house in less than an hour. They started back to the car, Bruno trailing behind Jack.
"Hey wait up what's the rush?"Bruno huffed.
He popped open the trunk and started to rummage around trying to make space for the bags whist whistling.
Jack froze. Something felt wrong. He was standing near the shotgun seat ready to open the door and shove the box inside. His instincts were screaming at him but he couldn't see anything off. Then he noticed it.
"Yusei!" He wasn't moving at all. His entire body was frozen, it didn't even seem like he was breathing.
Jack wrenched open the door. Yusei's eyes were open and glassy, staring into nothing. "Yusei? Yusei. Hey Yus, can you hear me?"
No response.
"Bruno! Somethings wrong with Yusei!"
Bruno ran around the side. "Yus? Shit its happening again."He grabbed his shoulders and shook him slightly.
Jack remembered what Akiza had told him. About the clot in his brain. About his loss of consciousness for long periods of time. And memory loss.
Bruno gave him a light smack across his face. Then again with increasing force.
Jack grabbed his arm. "What are you doing?"
Bruno glared at him."I'm trying to snap him out of it! Damnit, he's been like this for a while now."
Both of them were trying to mask their fear as their world seemed to go silent. The only thing they could focus of was the young man with hollow eyes in front of them. Jack was shaking. A cacophony of doubt and screams rang through his mind.
This is all my fault, my fault,my fault,my fault, my fault, my fault, my faultmyfaultmyfault-
"We have to get him to a hospital or something!"Bruno gasped. He was shaking. "He's not responding..." His voice seized.
Suddenly Yusei jolted and turned his head slowly. He blinked taking in their pale distraught features. "Whats wrong?"He asked, his voice hoarse. He was swaying ever so slightly but other than that seemed fine. He looked around."Wait when did we get here? Weren't we just at Don's place?"
Jack finally found his voice. "Yus… that was well over 2 hours ago..."
"What?"Yusei checked the time. Jack was right. Nearly 2 hours and 34 minutes ago. "That can't be..."Then it hit him. Shit, he had had another episode. This time, he had forgotten the last few hours rather than a measly few seconds. Yusei's stomach dropped.
Alright. Warning everyone now that Bruno and Crow's relationship will be strictly platonic. I don't even think they have a ship name.