On My Own
Chapter 3
Author Notes: So Sen's dropping his co-author hammer on me. Apparently I have way too many stories stockpiled so today and probably once a week(we'll see how long that lasts lol) is going to be a story dump where certain stories will have several chapters uploaded.
Considering this is one HE requested I work on. I suppose I better put the pedal to the metal and get this going if I ever want to get this story finished. I do not own Yugioh.
3rd P.O.V
It was a quiet, cloudy morning as the mechanic grabbed his jacket and keys, glancing over his shoulder with a concerned gaze. "Man the fort Rally. I'll be home soon." For once Yusei wasn't booked with an onslaught of appointments today, giving him the chance to do some errands.
Particularly grocery shopping. "Kay! Mind picking up some pastries from Zora's bakery? Seriously craving something sweet~" The elder sibling gives a soft snort, amused as he pats his pockets for his wallet. The last thing he needed to do before heading out was to lose or forget the damn thing.
"Sure, I'll make sure to stop by there first. Anything specific?" It was their day off. A rare and somewhat strange occurrence for them. "Those cinnamon roll things-oh and her jelly donuts!" But Rally insisted.
He was starting to take notice of the bags under the older boy's eyes and how sometimes he would sway unnaturally. Nearly fainting on the stairs. Enough was enough! If the red head had the power and control over his adopted brother, he would have it so Yusei wouldn't go out at all.
Rather he would have him rest and relax(for once!) But...they needed groceries, shopping was long due. "You got it. Stay out of trouble. Love you." A chore that Rally was...as much as he would like to admit otherwise was banned from doing.
If he went out there to do some shopping, the food wouldn't come home. At least not the way Yusei would want it. All of it would just end up in Rally's stomach, as both learned one day when Martha had asked him a few years ago.
Neither she nor Yusei ever asked him to do it again, not that Rally could blame them...at all. Still it didn't help with his current dilemma, especially since the last few days have been nothing but takeout. Unfortunately no matter how much the sixteen year old pleaded and argued Yusei insisted on at least getting that issue situated.
This couldn't be put off any longer. It would only figure that the stubborn workaholic would find some sort of reason to keep busy on his day off. "Same!" Rally waved him off, waiting a few moments after the door was shut before getting off his chair.
His eyes were narrowed in determination as he went about reaching for their landline. "Come on Blitz. Pick up the damn phone." Yusei was long overdue for a guys day out, no matter what Rally was going to make that happen.
He may not be trusted to get groceries, but he can take care of their home and the shop. He'll make it so clean and tidy that the room will sparkle! There was absolutely no way he was going to let his brother/boss come up with any other excuses today.
"What's up Rally?" A impish grin easily came to his face. "Blitz my man how are you? Listen, can you and the guys find the time to come over? Yusei needs some chill time. Badly."
Meanwhile...
Sapphire blue shifts to dull gray as more clouds start overshadowing the sky. "Looks like it's going to be a big one." It was a race against mother nature as Yusei kicked his duel runner into high gear. Now that he was out driving, he was able to get used to the odd shift in balance with the attached car on his right.
Normally he went without it, but if he was going to fill his cabinets and fridge...he needed to place the bags somewhere. The small hidden compartment wouldn't be able to fit all the food he planned on buying.
Small grumbles could be heard up above as he veered to the left, driving through the somewhat empty streets. There was no doubt that many of the poor civilians went in search of whatever shelter they could find.
"My it's been some time Yusei. How are you doing dear?" Unlike Yusei, most of the people living in the Satelite didn't really have a home to belong to. It was the ghetto, a poverish territory where it was hard to make a living. "Morning Ms. Zora. I'm doing alright. And you?"
Martha and Zora were the exceptions to that. Neither were poor so to speak, rather they simply decided to make the best of things no matter where they were and make a difference. Zora was originally born here, though pursued her culinary education, only to return and help the family that supported her dream.
For Martha, if she really wanted to, with her master degrees on education, social work and childcare could find a job anywhere. "Just dandy. What can I get for you today?" But instead she made a little home for herself here in the poor district.
Going against her brother Isao's wishes so she could help turn this sad, struggling side of town around. "Some jelly sticks and cinnarolls if you don't mind." Providing aid, free schooling and support to anyone who would take her offer.
Now Yusei was following in her footsteps. "Coming right up." Zora quickly turned her back to him, fulfilling his order, a knowing smile on her lips. "I take it Rally's sweet tooth is acting up?"
Zora adored Martha's boys. Having watched the both of them grow up. "You could say that. I had to make a run to the store anyways." With a small huff she bags the treats, handing it to him. He was just like Martha, and Zora would know. Having been the deceased woman's best friend and fellow educator.
"Remember you two are always welcome here should things get too hard." Though Yusei nodded his head, he had no intentions of taking up the offer. As kind as it was, he didn't want to burden Zora with two extra mouths to feed. "Yo Yusei!" Especially since she was still in debt from her son's medical bills.
Back four years ago her husband and teenaged son got into an accident, leaving her a widow and her child being paralyzed from the waist down. If anything he wanted to help her out with the payments, but right now it just wasn't possible.
He wasn't anywhere close to being financially stable to do that. "How's it hanging Lyndon?" The blonde man grins as he wheels himself over. Despite his disability, that optimistic passion refused to leave. His love of making and fixing kuukoo clocks and other antique trinkets still going strong.
"Going good! I just got a message from Crow~ Did he call you yet?" That name ruined the somewhat good mood the two colored haired man had. "No. He hasn't." That was a name he hasn't heard in YEARS.
And frankly he would prefer if he didn't hear it or two other individuals ever again. He didn't need the extra drama or bullshit in his life, thank you very much. "Seriously? Man that moron. Literal birdbrain, he said he would get ahold of you."
It wasn't a surprise to him that Crow hasn't actually tried keeping in touch. Rather he was more astonished that him and Lyndon were still together despite him leaving the Satellite. The two had been dating since high school if what Lyndon said was true.
Crow never struck him as the kind of guy to settle, so it was a bit of an eye opener. But what would Yusei know? It's not like he bothered trying to communicate with the ginger or the others after their falling out in their sophomore year of high school.
Still Yusei offered a smile, it wasn't an actual genuine one mind you. It was more pained really, but it was enough to convince Lyndon all was well. "I'm not worried. It's Crow afterall." He'd rather let the handicapped individual think nothing was wrong, then cause a conflict between the couple.
He wasn't there when their friendship went downhill and would rather keep that between them. "Yeah I suppose. But I swear he's going to get it when he comes to visit." That statement made the mechanic freeze in place.
The stiff motion noticed with a frown. "He's coming back?" Lyndon crosses his arms with a pout. Man, his boyfriend was so annoying. "Yep. It's not going to be a long stay, but he was coming to see me and check in on everyone. It's why he was supposed to call."
Zora watched his reaction with narrowed eyes, something was wrong. But she caught Yusei's gaze before she could even open her mouth to question him. His expression pleading for the conversation be changed or dropped.
It seemed she would be doing a bit of investigating the moment her son's lover came over. For now she gave mercy and dropped it. "Well have a good day Yusei. Good luck on those groceries." As much as he appreciated Zora giving him an out, he didn't like the idea of her not charging him.
His fingers effortlessly reached for his back pocket. "How much were the pastries Zora? I'm not leaving until I pay for them." She scoffs, folding her arms with a light glare. The gray haired woman refused to take his money.
"They're for free. And before you say anything-Consider it payment for fixing my son's wheelchair a few months ago." He wanted to argue that she had already paid-way too much mind you- on it.
It was a simple fix, one that shouldn't have required any payment at all. Or should've been needing to be checked out in the first place. The asshole that sold the wheelchair to them in the first place completely scammed her.
That wheelchair was way too much for the condition it was in. And boy did he pay for it when Yusei got ahold of him. He started appreciating medical equipment a lot more after their little run in. "Just take it Yusei, we're not going to go homeless over a few donuts not being charged."
There was no way he was going to let her not charge him. But she was stubborn. Lyndon offered him an easy going grin, completely used to this. It wasn't the first time his mother and Yusei have argued over this specific topic.
"Fine." Instead of paying for the sweets, the cheeky mechanic instead drops a twenty dollar bill in the tip jar. Pissing Zora off to the point of silence for a few minutes. "Have a good day guys." The mechanic wasted no time walking out the door with a wave.
Lyndon chuckled as his mother sputtered with a red face. "YUSEI FUDO!" By the time she was able to find her voice to yell, Yusei had already made his get away. Placing the bag in a secret compartment of his duel runner before kicking it into high gear.
Seeing the gray haired baker shake her fist at him from his rear view mirror, he grimaced. He didn't regret doing that at all, but... It looked like he would have to wait a week or so before coming back. Otherwise he'd be facing her frightening wrath, he could already feel his cheeks throbbing.
Immediately he remembered her pulling his and his friends cheeks all the time as punishment when they were kids. Practically yanking the skin till it stretched. Fortunately Yusei learned his lessons very quickly, which prevented the dreaded torture.
For Lyndon and more specifically Crow...it took them a bit more time to come to those conclusions. He shakes his head, frustrated. As if trying to force his old friends out of his mind as he slams his foot on the gas.
Yusei didn't have the time or the patience to think about his old school buddies and whatever trouble they were getting themselves into without him. They parted ways, their friendship was over. That was it.
There were far more important things to worry about in his opinion. Like handling this months' payments. Or helping his brother turned secretary with his exams coming up. "Now to get the actual grocery shopping done. Hopefully Rally isn't getting into any mischief."
The sky rumbled, flashing for an instant in the dark clouds. As if foreshadowing that both fate and mother nature were going to seriously be raining on his parade.
To be continued
Author Notes: Whoop whoop that's a finished chapter, done and ready to go. Honestly I loved writing Zora. In general writing the people on this side of town(we'll get there lol) was so much fun.
Time to plant the seeds of chaos folks, next chapter is going to be interesting~ But again that'll be next chapter. Everyone thank you for reading. If you like the story so far please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean a crap ton to me~ Tchao for now.
