A/N: A random one-shot I decided to write. Takes place after the first day of the Grand racing…well whatever it was called. Just a little romance for those who love Akiza and Yusei. So, onto the story.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Yugioh 5D's.
(Given an extensive edit as of 4/6/23)
"What an exhausting day."
That was the first thought that ran through Akiza Izayoi's head as she took a seat on the somewhat worn couch in the garage Yusei shared with Jack and Crow. Roughly two hours earlier she'd been in the stands surrounding the race track arena where the turbo duels had taken place for the day, conversing with her parents who had only recently become a regular part of her life again. They praised her dueling skills and gave countless hugs, all of which Akiza was grateful for even though she wasn't all that used to it yet. After all, her parents had been afraid of her until recently.
With a shake of her head she reminds herself to keep her thoughts on the present rather than dwelling on a past that couldn't be changed. She had moved on from her time with the Archadia Movement. She spent a long time listening to Sayer's lies about who she was and where he thought she belonged in the world.
That life playing the part of the vindictive Black Rose Witch was far behind her.
However, despite moving on from that dark period in her life, she still felt deeply insecure about certain things.
For example, there were times when she wondered if these new friends of hers, her fellow Signers, still considered her a freak. Granted, all of them had been through some pretty abnormal circumstances at one time or another...and it showed through the different quirks each of them held.
Even so, Akiza still felt that gnawing sense that she was the odd one out sometimes.
It didn't help that there was one particular member of the team who continually believed and trusted in her ability to safeguard him and their friends as well as his prized card, the Stardust Dragon.
"I really let him down today," she groaned internally, sighing out loud. It was true that Yusei wasn't angry with her over the fact that she lost to Andre. The others didn't seem to be either, but Akiza still felt guilty regardless.
Shouldn't she be stronger than that by now? Shouldn't she be able to overcome the odds without needing someone else to pick up her slack?
Grunting lowly, the young woman rises up from the couch and aimlessly saunters into the nearby kitchen.
"Sitting in silence isn't as relaxing as I'd hoped it'd be," she says to herself, reaching to open the cabinet where everyone kept their coffee. She immediately noticed three different brands of coffee and chuckled at how Jack's coffee had one note asking his roommates to keep their hands off his Blue Eyes coffee or else. Crow's also had a note reading, "No one wants your stupid, EXPENSIVE, coffee anyway! Do you not understand the concept of BILLS!? You're just as broke as we are? How can you even afford this!?" Jack's responding note was a simple, "Charm can get you anything you want, not that you would know."
There wasn't a second note stuck to Crow's brand of coffee, but Akiza imagined there would be one by tomorrow morning.
With a shake of her head, she quickly grabs the brand without post-it notes stuck to it and begins the brewing process in silence. The others had gone off to celebrate their victory over Team Unicorn. She was invited, obviously, but bowed out to have some time to relax by herself at the garage...
It wasn't really helping. Her mind, which was more prone to negative thinking anyway, was on a feedback loop concerning her contribution to today's duel.
"Yusei won those duels. Sure, we helped him defeat Andre, but the others…Yusei single-handedly defeated them."
This was the real reason why Akiza declined the invitation to celebrate. She couldn't muster up the mood for pizza, ice cream, and video games while harboring guilt within her. There was no point in ruining everyone else's fun just because she was upset with her performance.
And so, within a few minutes the coffee is made and the smell immediately draws a smile to her face.
"Yep, this was the best decision," she thinks, stirring in three teaspoons of sugar and one small package of cream into her coffee. Once through mixing, she gingerly raises the mug of hot liquid towards her lips...
Unfortunately, that exact second is when the screech of the garage door opening erupted through the room, scaring Akiza so badly she immediately started choking on the liquid she'd just sipped.
"Akiza?" Yusei called, hearing the violent hacking spree Akiza was spouting. He quickly marches into the garage, concern overriding his usually calm and focused expression."Are you alright?"
The young woman manages to choke out a "Fine" before setting her coffee mug down on the counter. Yusei visibly relaxes upon seeing she isn't hurt, but Akiza doesn't notice the change in his demeanor.
"Sorry that I scared you," he offers, clearly holding back a chuckle.
Her amber eyes flick over to him. "D-did...you have fun with everyone?"
Without waiting for his answer, Akiza pivots on her heel to open the fridge behind her. She withdraws a bottled water, screws off the cap, then takes a hefty gulp.
Yusei watches her, his smile softening as she finishes drinking.
"Ah! That's better," she says triumphantly. "Now, you were saying?"
Yusei hadn't said so much as a word yet, but he decided it was probably better not to correct her on that fact. Instead he simply answers, "It was okay."
"Just okay?" Akiza asked. "Yusei, you just defeated Team Unicorn single-handedly. How can you not be ecstatic about it?"
Quirking an eyebrow, the leader of the Signers takes slow steps into the kitchen.
"Well, for one," he begins, glancing at the coffee pot. "I didn't win alone. You and Jack set the stage for me to take them out. I never would have won without the two of you."
Akiza's blush is immediate. "Yeah, I guess..."
"Also," he pauses briefly, taking in the soft glare she gives him for interrupting her, "Celebrating isn't all that fun without all of the team. So, I slipped away and came back here. They probably haven't noticed my disappearance yet. Jack and Crow were arguing, as per usual."
"Oh, well…" Akiza wasn't really sure what to say. "Want a cup of coffee?"
"I would, though I don't believe I want to end up coughing violently like you did," Yusei states with a small chuckle. Akiza glares at him again, but it's more playful this time.
"That only happened because you scared me," she points out, taking a few steps to the right in order to open the cabinet with the coffee mugs.
Yusei takes a seat across from her at the bar and watches while she pours him a steaming cup of the black liquid.
"How much sugar do you want?"
"One spoonful should be enough for me."
"Any cream?"
"No thanks."
Akiza stirs the spoonful of sugar with a gentle smile before gingerly holding the mug out to him. "Here."
His fingers barely brush hers along the porcelain, but that single touch is enough to make her blush again.
Pretending he doesn't notice it, Yusei takes a small sip of the liquid and sighs in contentment.
"No coughing fit," he whispers, unable to stop himself from cracking a small joke at her expense.
"Very funny," comes her dry reply before she takes a slow sip of her coffee.
"Alright, I'll quit teasing you," he mutters amicably, enjoying her company.
A companionable silence develops between them for a few minutes. In that time, Akiza moves to take a seat on the bar stool next to his and continues to sip at her coffee.
Eventually, however, Yusei breaks the calm quiet to ask a question.
"Why were you so down earlier?"
Akiza's smile disappears from her face and Yusei can't help but feel a little guilty at disrupting her peace.
Even so, he presses on.
"You just told me that I should have been excited over our victory. Likewise, you should have been excited too."
Yet another blush dusts her cheeks. "I guess…but…"
"But what?"
"Well," Akiza hesitates, but glancing at Yusei's earnest expression allows her to press on.
"I felt bad...because I let you down. If I had just beaten Andre it would have been easier for you to take out the other two."
She takes another sip of her coffee, afraid to look at him now.
"Akiza, you don't need to..."
"Am I really that useless?"
Silence answers the question. Akiza's amber gaze stays locked on the liquid in her cup while Yusei's cobalt blue eyes fix themselves on the deep frown on her face.
"Useless?" he questions after a moment, puzzled. "Akiza, you are far from useless. You're the most valuable asset we have."
With a lightning fast movement she shifts her gaze from her coffee to his face, her scowl deepening.
"And you know I'm not just saying that."
She continues to stare at him, her expression almost defiant even though her eyes are becoming increasingly glassy.
Acting on instinct, he gets up from the stood and places both of his hands along her shoulders.
"Akiza, you are important to our team. You're..."
"I'm what?" she asks, gazing up into his intense gaze.
Silence envelops them again for only a moment.
With a gentle movement, he raises one of his hands to tuck a loose strand of her red hair behind her ear.
"You are important...and special...to me," he whispers, his fingertips lingering along her cheek.
Breath catching in her throat, Akiza doesn't know how she managed to get to her feet.
One moment she was sitting and in the next she was in his arms.
With her forehead pressed against his chest, Akiza allowed him to hold her against him as she released some of the tears she'd been holding back.
"It's okay," he says soothingly upon hearing a small sob. "It's okay, Akiza."
His hold on her tightens ever so slightly.
She feels his warmth. She hears his heartbeat beneath the fabric of his shirt.
"Yusei...I..."
He pulls back by a few inches to stare down at her face.
Their eyes meet.
And in that second he understands what she really needs.
Though hesitant to breach the small gap between them because of what it might mean for their friendship, Yusei makes up his mind to show her the feelings he couldn't quite bring himself to say.
Akiza gasps when his lips find hers.
The action is enough to convey everything he wants her to know.
And in response to those emotions, she leans into his kiss and wraps her arms around his slender neck.
A blissful moment of eternity passes, and then...the two Signers carefully break away from the kiss with smiles on their faces.
"Yusei," Akiza breaths, suddenly finding the floor very interesting. "Did you just…"
"I'm sorry," he replies hastily. "I…"
"No, don't apologize. That was…nice." She finally allows herself to look at him. "I…really liked that."
Yusei scratches the back of his head, clearly embarrassed but happy.
"I...enjoyed that too."
The following silence was a touch awkward.
"Anyway," Yusei begins, abruptly releasing her from his hold. "I...should...I'm going to go sleep now."
With another quick kiss to her cheek, he reaches for his mug of coffee without realizing he'd just grabbed hers.
"Thanks for the coffee."
"No problem," she answers, lightly touching her cheek as he races up the stairs. "Goodnight."
"Night."
Within seconds he was gone, and Akiza was left to wonder how the dynamics of their relationship had changed so fast.
"Wow," she whispers, breathless. "He's..."
Lightheaded from feelings of pure love, the woman once known as the fearsome Black Rose Witch passed out with a lovely smile on her face.
A/N: Short simple and to the point. Hope you guys enjoyed that though. Please review.