Heartaches
Chapter 85
By KellyQ
The remainder of the week was spent practicing. Yusei, Jack and Crow learned a lot from Harald, Brave and Dragon. Bruno didn't practice with them. He chose to help with the repairers and focus on them longer than necessary, even if it was a minor repair like a scratch or a dent. This action went unnoticed by the others. They regarded it as something that he did because he wasn't good with racing.
This went on for a few days until Yusei saw how Bruno would come home late into the night, tired and pale. He tried to express his concern but Bruno smiled and reassured Yusei that he was doing it for the team.
He thought that was reasonable until Bruno didn't even come home one night. Yusei got out of bed and went to retrieve his phone from where it was charging on the nightstand.
"Yusei ... get back to bed," Jack grumbled, missing the warmth he felt. "And whatever is bothering you, you can take care of it later."
Yusei was about to protest when the front door opened. He made his way there to see Bruno walk in. He had scruff marks on his face and his clothes were stained with dirt. Bruises were also visible on his arms. The only thing that was untouched was his hair.
Yusei reached out and caught him before he fell. "Bruno, what happened?"
Yusei's concerned voice alerted Jack. He walked to the front door to see that his boyfriend was trying to keep Bruno up right. Jack stepped up and helped Yusei pull Bruno to his feet and lead him to the couch, where he passed out.
Bruno opened his eyes an hour later to a tapping of fingers hitting a keyboard. It took a groggy moment to comprehend that he was at Jack's place. He turned his head to see Yusei sitting at the coffee table working away on his laptop.
"What happened?" Yusei asked, keeping his full attention to his laptop.
Bruno sighed and glanced up at the ceiling. He didn't feel that much pain as he looked at the bruises on his arms. "I don't remember how I got these ... but I do remember someone loitering around the racetrack."
Yusei frowned and turned his attention to Bruno. "What were you doing... I mean-you can be in the next race, if you want."
Bruno shook his head. "I've been seeing someone at the racetrack, and I've been trying to stop him," he explained, sitting up. "This person has been trying to sabotage the racetrack."
Yusei's frown deepened. "Why didn't you tell Trudge or me?"
Bruno sighed, "you guys have enough on your hands..."
It was Yusei's turn to sigh. He wanted to ask questions or tell Bruno he shouldn't worry too much. "I understand ... but-"
"Leave it, Yusei," Jack advised. He was leaning against the doorframe holding a cup of coffee in his hand. "I've already text Kaz. He told me that he'll look into having someone keep an eye on things at the racetrack."
Bruno's eyes darkened went unnoticed by Jack and Yusei. He watched Yusei close his laptop and follow Jack to his room, and he heard the door close.
Jack sighed, "I don't get him," he grumbled, setting the coffee on the nightstand.
They both heard the door to the bathroom open and close at that exact moment. Yusei shook his head, stepped up and kissed his boyfriend.
"Now where did I hear that before."
Jack made a face. "What are you implying?"
"He has his own reasons and he made them clear," Yusei answered.
He turned and made his way to the door. Yusei opened and walked out, closing it softly. The door to the bathroom was open to see Bruno walking out.
"I know that you don't want to tell me in front of Jack what happened, but something's up and I want to know."
Bruno sighed, "I tried to catch the person who tried to sabotage the race, but he got away after beating me up."
Yusei nodded his head, understanding. "Next time just be careful okay? The last thing I want to see is people hurting you, or you hurting people ..." he placed a hand on Bruno's shoulder, "okay?"
Bruno just nodded his head and waited for Yusei to turned to go to his room before he let out a breath that he didn't realize he was holding. This was going to be harder than he thought.
To Be Continued ...