Thank you for the reviews! I keep getting bits more for #5/6 (whatever it will be, I suppose based on how you include Orion, which you should totally go read while you wait for updates if you haven't already! It's my favorite fic that I've written and is a part of the series, just not in YGO universe). I think this last one will be good.

How are you enjoying this one?

~Jem's POV~

I never wasted time emerging from my study after he called me to eat. I knew Avery worked hard on dinner just for me, so I never wanted to make him wait. I had only normal expectations as I turned the corner, and halted when those expectations were not met. The lights were dim, the food was extravagant, and Avery held a tray of cupcakes with candles aflame.

"Happy birthday, Jemmie!" Avery cheered.

"...What's happening?" I asked cautiously.

"What do you mean? Quick, make a wish and blow out your candles!" he urged. I looked at him apprehensively, only his eagerness luring me down to do what he said. He was elated as turned, setting the tray down. "I can't believe you're 18!" he cried.

"I'm not," I replied, still confused.

"I know, I know, but with you going away and all I decided I better celebrate now in case I didn't see you in the next few weeks." I had recently updated Avery on my plans, something I should probably do with Seto soon. He switched the lights on before continuing. "These are carrot cake from scratch. I remember you loved them as a child, so much that you were the only one of you three who still ate them after you found out there were actual carrots in it," Avery recalled as he turned.

"You mean I get to have a birthday this year? It won't be like it's only Jude's birthday?"

Avery turned to me, a sudden hate in his eyes. He dropped the tray on the table a bit harder than needed. "That man, I swear," I heard him murmur furiously under his breath. Then he turned to me and smiled warmly. "Of course, that's how I throw birthdays. You don't even have to share with your brother! For once it can be all about what you want. I also got you a little present too, down at the docks. You can take it out after you get back."

"What I want?" I echoed, almost laughing, the thought completely foreign.

"Yes, now come on."

~Seto's POV~

She had finished the book and now sat perched on my desk watching me work. It was silent now without her reading aloud. After a time of silence she asked, "Did your stepfather ever celebrate you and Mokuba's birthdays?"

I glanced up at her briefly, finding the question odd and unenjoyable. She stared out my window, buried in thought.

"Not with cake and parties, if that's what your asking," I replied blatantly. Though he did have what he called 'presents', but they were always some new, unwelcomed challenge that he half-hoped would destroy me. I narrowed my eyes at the memory. "Why do you ask?"

"I just found out that's a thing. My father was always very strict about our birthdays, almost keeping it hushed and giving us no choice in what happened. I suppose he was too caught up in himself. So cake and parties are traditional, huh?"

"And presents," I gave her.

She tilted her head. "Presents? Hm, that makes sense. Did your stepfather ever manage to get you a present that you liked?"

I narrowed my eyes. "You really like stories," I deflected, having no plan to confide such a thing in her.

"Mm, I like crafted things," she replied, finally turning her head to me. "So, sorry to keep asking, but Avery did something for my birthday. Am I supposed to do anything in return?"

"No." I slowed, turning to look at her. "When is your birthday?"

"May 31st," she replied.

"But May only just started," I countered. "Why is he doing it so early?"

"Well," she began. "I spoke with Jude's counselor today." Pegasus had taken care of Jude's idiotic situation, however, though they were able to get the least amount of time possible, it was court-ordered that Jude go to rehab. I said nothing, not particularly caring. "He said that Jude was causing problems and going stir-crazy."

"Hasn't he only been there for a week?" I interrupted.

"Almost, not quite," she replied. "Regardless, Jude shared my history and our relationship. The counselor and I worked something out and I'm going to get him in a couple of days."

I halted, now really looking at her. "What does that mean?" I asked darkly.

"The therapist said, given the circumstances, he thought it was best if Jude recovered with me, but he needs to be isolated from everything and everyone else. So I bought a private island with a house on it. The therapist says that it would be best if Jude, now that he's had counseling, was around 'the woman he respects' to help him gain more of a respect for all women, though that's hardly the problem. Jude admires women, he just had no attention span and makes bad choices. After he said that I knew Jude would be better off with me because the man is clearly terrible at his job. Anyway, I'll be taking him away to be with me until he fully recovers."

I didn't like this. "How long will that take?"

"I don't know," she answered. "However long it takes. I'm going to see if I can't tie up things at school in case I'm not back by the end of the year-"

"There's a month left of school," I retorted.

"I know, I said I don't know how long it will take. I just wanted you to know that there will be no contact from the island."

I did not like this at all. "What if there is an emergency?" I asked.

"There will be a panic button to alert authorities in such an event," she answered casually.

I was quiet for a moment, thinking. This could make her vulnerable. "Have it contact me. I have better resources to respond to an emergency. Besides, the emergency could be your father," I demanded.

She gazed at me a moment, then said, "Ok, I'll do that."

I should have kept my eyes on my work. Her eyes were too captivating. Why did she have to be so painfully beautiful? And if she had to be, what gave her the right to take it away from me? I caught myself, realizing that was a bit too much. Perhaps this would be good, anyway. Maybe I could fly through my work without her. I better be able to, I would hate myself if I missed her and it impaired my work. Still-

"Spend your last few nights with me."

She tilted her head, her eyes on me, then gave me the right answer. "As you wish."

Next Chapter: Heroine

I really didn't know how long it would be before I saw her again, which was normal, but before I always had the option should I want it. I didn't like having my options taken away.