Author's Note:
After a long delay I give you "The Kingdom [be]Comes" Chapter 17!
I really apologize for taking so long to write this chapter – it's not even that long! But with the end of the semester coming up, all the assignments and tests so close together, I could barely make time to write. At the same time, when I did make time, I had a bad writer's block. It also didn't help that I accidentally discovered "Cowboy Bebop" after I caught up to all Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's episodes and became instantly addicted to it...
Yup, now I'm having hard time not sitting down and writing some Cowboy Bebop fanfic instead. BUT, I will not start anything new until this fanfic is finished so don't worry, I WILL finish this story to the end. And finally finishing this chapter threw me back into Yusei and Aki world so I'm definitely not going to abandon these characters. I love them too much :)
This chapter has no duels and no real plot; it's mostly just lots of cheesy Aki and Yusei situations and character developments. Very fluffy and cheesy. Also, a warning: there is sexuality in the end of this chapter so seriously...beware of the M rating. It's a little bit graphic...so...yeah.
Thank you for being so patient and for all your reviews, messages and favourites. I always love to hear what people think about my work and any suggestions, questions and constructive criticisms you guys give are very welcome :)
NineInchNailed.
"The essence of romantic love is that wonderful beginning, after which sadness and impossibility may become the rule."
~Anita Brookner.
"I love you," he whispered huskily.
"And I love you," she whispered with tears.
He looked at her with intensity and took her into his arms. "Can't you see?" he continued saying, "You are my love, my sun, my moon, my stars…my cosmos. I want you more than life itself! I love you totally, completely and absolutely, without conditions or boundaries. And nothing…nothing," he stressed it with emotion, "Will ever change that!"
"Oh, this must be a dream!" she exclaimed.
"My love," he continued whispering excitedly, "I want us to get married…now. Not next year, or maybe some time, but now – just as soon as we can. I want you to bear my children. What do you say?"
"Yes!" she told him, tears freely streaming down her cheeks, "Yes, oh yes!"
And then the two of them began kissing hungrily in a Hollywood-type kiss.
Blah, Aki thought in annoyance as she watched the cheesy make-out session on the movie screen and picked up another handful of popcorn, This might be the worst movie ever. It was even worse when, fifteen minutes ago, the two main characters were fully naked and rolling around in bed sheets in slow-motion and the girl was orgasming non-stop two seconds in. Aki pierced her eyes into the movie screen and tried to ignore Yusei's presence next to her as the tension hung thick in the air.
Yusei, meanwhile, was humorously thinking, Why does it look like he's eating her face? as he watched the movie character affectionately slobber all over his girlfriend, And when do the zombies finally catch up to them?
"I don't care that the world has been taken over by zombies," the main character went on, "All that matters is our love! Our love can defeat anything, Jenny!"
"Oh, John!" Jenny exclaimed once again and jumped back into his arms.
At that very moment a zombie jumped on John's back and began chewing his neck while he screamed and blood spurted out all over Jenny's face.
"John, noooooooooo!" Jenny screamed as she picked up a chainsaw and began sawing the zombie off her boyfriend.
"Oh my god," Aki mumbled in horror and hid her face in Yusei's shoulder to shield from the grotesque violence.
This might be the best movie ever, Yusei thought and soothingly stroked Aki's hair. "There, there, Aki," he whispered, "It's over now, you can look."
"Really?" she sighed with relief and looked up only to see Jenny graphically beginning to cut zombie-John's head off while screaming with tears, "Why, John, WHYYYY?"
"Yusei!" Aki exclaimed in shock and quickly covered her eyes with her hands, "You're awful!" She couldn't believe he made her look just as the worst part was happening!
"Sorry, couldn't help it," Yusei apologized, barely keeping himself from laughing out loud at her reaction, "But it's okay, you can look now, it's finished."
"No!" Aki refused, shaking her head as she decidedly kept her hands over her eyes. She could still hear the buzzing of the chainsaw coming from the screen so he wasn't going to fool her a second time!
"Good call," Yusei smiled at her answer because at that very moment Jenny went on a chainsaw rampage against a whole pack of zombies now.
It was another half an hour until they walked out of the movie theatre and became nearly blinded by the afternoon sunlight.
"That was great," Yusei said, stretching his arms lazily as they casually walked to some indeterminate direction.
"I'm glad you liked it," Aki responded, rubbing her sore eyes, "I was worried for awhile because of how the movie turned out."
Yusei let her choose the movie for them and, after struggling to pick between a fluffy romantic comedy, a depressing drama, and an over-the-top action movie, she had decided on some mysterious "Z-Pocalypse" the poster of which featured two people standing in front of a burning skyscraper. Clearly that didn't turn out as she thought it would.
"Worried about what? The graphic sex or the ultra-violence?" Yusei asked her with a pretend-naive look on his face.
"Ugh!" Aki blushed and shook her head, "I didn't know that was going to happen!"
"I'm just teasing, Aki," Yusei smiled and gently patted her head like that of a little kid, "Trust me, I had a good time. What would you like to do now though? Lunch?"
"Um," Aki looked away, contemplating, "Maybe not yet. That popcorn was pretty filling. In an hour or two or so? What do you think?"
"Works for me," he nodded.
"Then what do you want to do now?" she asked cheerfully, taking a quick glance at his hand and wondering if she should grab it now, later or wait for him to make that move.
"If you'd like to waste an hour somewhere I can take you to a nice place," Yusei replied as he stopped walking and Aki distractedly bumped into him.
Nice place? Aki repeated in her head, looking up at him with curiosity. Instantaneously, however, her mind wandered off to dirty places and she felt shy, lowering her gaze.
Yusei laughed, understanding the look on her face, and shook his head. "No, not like that. I was going to take you to meet someone important to me."
"Oh!" Aki blushed hard, feeling like she was the world's most unromantic and horniest idiot. "Sure, that'd be great. Ano...who is it?"
"You've met her once before," Yusei said, his hand reaching to hold hers as he began leading her in the direction of his D-Wheel, "It's Martha."
As he drove them over to Martha's, Aki desperately tried to pull together from her memory everything that she could remember about this woman. She knew that Martha ran an orphanage in Satellite where Yusei, Crow and Jack grew up. And she took care of them and many other children and that she was basically like a mother to them.
Aki remembered meeting Martha that one time when all of them fought the Dark Signers – she welcomed them into her home and permitted them the rest they needed before the battle. She was a very sweet and warm older woman and she even spoke to Aki for a bit and asked if Yusei was able to open her heart. Yusei got her to open her heart, alright…amongst other things...
Furthermore, even though conditions in the city have improved, Aki knew that the three guys – and Crow especially – went to visit Martha, at least every month or two, to help out around the place, visit children, or just keep in touch. Since it was considered to be such a "family" affair, Rua, Ruka, Aki, Carly and Bruno never came along. But now? She not only got an invitation to go there but was also being personally taken there for a visit. They also weren't going with a big group of friends and it was just her and Yusei. Just the two of them. Did this mean something or was she thinking too deeply into this? Because, to her, this felt like she was formally being taken to meet the "parents."
By the time Yusei finally parked his D-Wheel by the orphanage, Aki was fidgeting from nervousness. Somehow every single catastrophic scenario of what-could-go-wrong found its way into her head. Oh god, what if she doesn't remember me? Aki was thinking, We only talked for five seconds after all. What if I end up making a terrible impression? What if I do or say something stupid?
"Ready?" Yusei asked as he dismounted the D-Wheel and unfastened his helmet.
What if she hates me and Yusei begins to hate me too? For not relating with such a big part of his life, for being disliked by his mother? What would I do then? Aki was still thinking as she sat on the D-Wheel and absently stared forward.
"Aki?" Yusei gently called her.
She looked up at him nervously.
"Should we go in?" he suggested with some amusement.
"Oh...yeah!" Aki quickly nodded and stood up, hastily pulling off her own helmet.
Yusei could not fail to notice that she seemed distracted and jittery, and asked her with surprise, "Are you okay?"
"Um, yeah," Aki flashed him a quick smile and tightly grabbed onto his hand, "Let's go."
Yusei decided to relent rather than pursue the mysterious subject further and, after locking his D-Wheel, lead her into the house. The instant they walked into the home they became deafened by a high-pitched chorus of "Yusei!" before at least four kids aged from six to ten jumped on him with hugs.
"How's everyone?" Yusei greeted them with a bright smile as he squatted to be on the same level with the kids. Aki, who was standing behind him, nervously folded her hands at the front as she watched.
"Good!" the children responded to him in unison, completely oblivious to the fact that there was somebody else with him.
"Did you bring your D-Wheel, Yusei?" one of the boys asked, hopefulness evident in his tone.
"Yes," Yusei nodded.
"Yaaaaaay!" another round of cheering erupted.
"Ayyya," sounded a weary sigh and an elder curly-haired woman walked into the room. "What's with the commotion, children?" Martha asked.
Yusei straightened and offered his foster mother a smile while Aki inconspicuously hid behind him. "Hi, Martha," he said.
Martha stared at the young man in silence before a bellow of joyous laughter escaped her and she ran up to him, pulling him into a tight hug, "Yusei! Finally taken the time from your duelin' to see me!"
"Of course," Yusei gasped out while feeling like his ribs were being crushed from her affectionate embrace.
Martha finally released him and stood back to look him up and down. "Child, d'you grow a bit taller since I last saw you? Used to be the same as good ol' me!" she exclaimed and reached to pinch his cheek, laughing.
Yusei cringed from Martha's pinching but did suddenly realize that he must have grown a bit taller over time: he now had close to two extra inches in height on his foster mom. He was never of impressive stature – not like Jack or Bruno – so finally outgrowing his teen years did him good.
"Martha, I brought someone with me," he managed to enunciate even though his face was stretched to improbable widths.
Aki, who was cowering behind Yusei all this time, quickly stepped out to the front and bowed her head, "Hi, I'm-"
"Aki-chan!" the older woman exclaimed and pulled her into a hug, "It's you! Welcome back!"
Okay, she remembers me. So far so good, Aki thought as all the air escaped her lungs in an instant.
"Good seein' ya again, child, how've you been?" Martha asked her cheerfully once she pulled back to look at her.
For a moment Aki thought that she'd get her cheek in a death grip too but nothing came. "Very good, Martha, thank you," she responded with a smile and noticed that the kids were now staring at her with curiosity. It was as if they had for the first time noticed that Yusei wasn't alone. Aki suddenly felt very conscious of her mini-skirt and began absently tugging at the bottom of it, hoping to pull it down a bit to conceal her garters at least.
"That's good to hear," Martha nodded approvingly and carefully looked to Yusei and then back to Aki. "Ah, I see now," she said with a knowing smile, returning her clairvoyant gaze back to her foster son, "Is she it, Yusei? She is, isn't she?"
Aki had no idea what Martha had just said while Yusei felt like his face had just been set on fire. "Martha!" he exclaimed in exasperation. Like, what the hell!? In front of Aki!?
"Am I what?" Aki asked, confused, and turned to look at Yusei suddenly noticing that his face had taken on a deep shade of red. Was he blushing? If so, why? What was it that made him react like that? She quickly shifted her gaze to Martha, hoping to hear an explanation.
"Aww, she is!" Martha exclaimed with delight, good-naturedly oblivious to the adolescent confusion and embarrassment she had just caused, and pulled at Yusei's cheek again, "Don't be shy, boy, ya can't hide these things from your mother!"
"Martha!" Yusei exclaimed again and quickly looked away, wanting to fall through the ground. He was a thread away from hiding his face behind his hands. This couldn't be happening, it couldn't be! To him, Martha was basically saying, "Hey, Aki, he's in love with you and he basically thinks you're the one, can't you tell? Because I can, haha."
"What?" Aki continued asking in bewilderment, naïve and unable to piece things together. What was going on? Was this an inside joke?
To his greatest relief Yusei realized that Aki didn't catch on. Still – why did everybody insist on telling her everything before he did? Why couldn't it just happen the way he wanted it to? Why was everyone so sadistic?
"It's okay, Aki-chan," Martha laughed and patted Yusei's shoulder while eyeing the younger woman with a happy twinkle in her eye, "It's nothing."
Yeah, now it's nothing, Yusei thought with annoyance but he could never be angry with Martha. Ever. Her intentions were always the purest and the kindest even if they put him into very uncomfortable situations.
"Well, don't just stand there! Come'n for some tea, would ya?" Magda suggested once she finally stopped drilling her foster son and, when the two of them agreed, she led them into the kitchen. The kids that greeted them, meanwhile, ran off to play outside.
Aki and Yusei were about to take a seat at the table when Martha suddenly turned to Yusei and called out, "Oh, just realized: since you're here, boy, you can fix me broken laundry machine! What perfect timin'!"
Aki could barely suppress her giggle while Yusei sighed. "Yes, Martha," he said obediently, turning to go down to the basement, and Aki was about to follow him when Martha stopped her. "Why'd a princess like you be goin' to that dark and scary basement?" the older woman asked.
To make-out? Aki thought involuntarily, honestly wondering if she was either sick in the head or addicted or both. But instead of saying any of that, obviously, she just shrugged.
"Why not stay here and help me make tea? Letta boy do his work!" Martha suggested to her.
Aki thought that this was a significantly a better idea than nonsensically standing next to her boyfriend while he was busy working. She smiled brightly and nodded her agreement.
Yusei awarded her with a fake look of betrayal and disappeared into the doorway.
"Here, you can boil the kettle, Aki-chan," Martha said and handed her a metallic pot, pointing to the stove.
Aki did as she was told and as she waited for the kettle to boil, Martha suddenly spoke up by casually inquiring, "So how long've you and Yusei been together for now?"
Aki jumped, nearly knocking over the kettle, and stared at the older woman in bewilderment. What could she possibly say to that? And how did everybody continuously figure this out? Were Yusei and her really so obvious?
"No need to be shy, child!" Martha laughed and turned off the stove, ushering her to take a seat at the dinner table, "You're young and things like this are bound to happen."
Aki wanted to sink into the ground for being put on the spot like this and talking about her relationship with whom was basically Yusei's mother. God, how awkward. "Uh...we've obviously been friends for a long time now...but officially it's been about a week or so..." she finally responded, sitting down at the table, and feeling completely intimidated and idiotic. She has been in love with him for almost two years now and they have only been together for less than two weeks? How could anybody possibly take her seriously?
"That's alright," Martha comforted her with an all-knowing smile and placed a cup in front of her, "Friendship is the strongest foundation for love, don't ya know?"
Aki stared up at the motherly woman with wide-eyes and with a deep crimson blush colouring her cheeks. At this point she was completely speechless.
"Besides," Martha continued, unfazed like they were talking about weather, and poured some tea into her cup, "You're the first girl Yusei's ever brought to meet me. I say that makes ya pretty special, Aki-chan, don't it?"
Aki nodded dazedly, looking down at her cup of tea and feeling even more scorching heat on her face. She couldn't even begin to think of what to say to that.
"But don't tell Yusei I told ya that," Martha went on and laughed, "He'll throw a fit and go all, "You're embarrassing me, Martha, you're embarrassing me," blah blah. Those boys," she sighed, "They just can't ever grow up, can they?"
At that same moment Yusei appeared out of the basement and announced, "All done, Martha," and took a seat next to Aki at the table. He suddenly noticed Martha looking more cheerful than usual and a visible blush on Aki's face. "Everything alright?" he asked slowly and with some suspicion, eyeing Aki especially since her expressions were usually a dead giveaway.
"Wonderful!" Martha exclaimed casually and placed a cup of tea in front of him, "And now that you've fixed the laundry machine, Yusei, you can get to fixin' the radiator, checkin' that the dishwasher and garbage disposal are also workin' properly, as well as fixin' up the car. The engine's been a bit rusty recently."
Shock registered on Yusei's face. "Martha, Aki and I were only passing by! I can make a stop another day especially to-"
"Ahhh, ya'll be just fine," Martha dismissed him with a smile, waving her hand at him, "It won't take you too long, boy! And the two of you can stay for dinner!"
Aki couldn't help but laugh at this point, her blush finally nonexistent. In their group of friends Yusei was always the adult, the most responsible and the one everyone listened to. But here, he was being ordered around and treated like a kid and it was an astonishing experience that she didn't think she'd ever witness.
At the same time, she really liked the idea of staying here for dinner. This was such a nice place, full of such sweet and caring people.
Yusei, meanwhile, continued staring at Martha with utter exasperation. He really didn't bring Aki here so she could sit and wait while he runs errands. He didn't think they'd be staying for longer than an hour: he only just wanted to introduce her more formally to Martha, because it was important to him. But after this, he wanted to go on ahead with their date! He had already even decided on a cozy romantic restaurant to take her to.
"So, what do you say?" Martha pressed for response and reached to pinch Yusei's cheek again, causing him to cringe helplessly.
"Yup!" Aki agreed with Martha and looked at Yusei with a bright smile, hoping that he would agree with her on this.
Yusei caught Aki looking at him, noticed her excitement, but couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt. He hoped that she would be able to forgive him for unromanticizing their first date so much. "Yes, Martha, I will do all that," he finally consented and stood up from the chair. "But give me a second, let me talk to Aki first," he requested and motioned for Aki to follow him to the other room.
"I'm sorry," Yusei began to apologize when he and Aki were standing outside of the kitchen by themselves, "I didn't think we'd be staying here longer. I understand if-" but Aki's finger on his lips shushed him.
"No, Yusei, no," Aki said, shaking her head, "This is perfect. I mean it." She then added with a gentle smile, "And I wouldn't have it any other way."
Yusei smiled at her response and nodded. She was just so amazing...how could she be so amazing, so understanding...and just so perfect? In a daze he traced his fingers on the side of her cheek and tried to kiss her when sudden screeching complaints erupted next to them.
"Ewwwwwwwww," groaned the small group of boys who have just come downstairs and caught the sight of two lovers, "Kissing! Gross!"
Aki covered her face with her hands, for a hundredth time today stricken with an embarrassed blush, while Yusei looked at the unwelcome interrupters. "How are you guys doing?" he asked them nonchalantly.
"Yusei, are you going to show us your D-Wheel today?" one of the boys asked him.
"Yes, but only after running a few chores first," Yusei responded.
The boy looked back at his friends, exchanged a few excited looks with them, before facing him again and exclaimed: "Can we come with?"
"On the chores?" Yusei couldn't help an amused smile at their expense, "Why?"
"Because Yusei always gets to do the coolest stuff. Like...fixing things and stuff...grown-up stuff..." answered the youngest-looking boy while looking at him with adoration.
"Yeah, if we help you out then you'd show us your D-Wheel faster!" another boy added.
"That works," Yusei agreed and boys cheered, running up to him. The youngest boy even grabbed his hand. "See you in a bit?" Yusei asked his gorgeous girlfriend, glancing at her.
Aki nodded with a smile and watched, mesmerized, as he departed with a group of kids where every single one of them idolized him with adoration. He was just so good with everything. There was just something about him that drew in absolutely everyone and sometimes he was a magnet truly keeping everything together. And he drew her in too...and after falling so hard for him, he had finally chosen her.
Aki couldn't believe her luck. Just how could she?
"Aki-chan!" Martha called, interrupting her daydreaming, "Would ya like to help me out with dinner?"
"Hai!" Aki exclaimed happily and ran into the kitchen, happy to be kept busy.
An hour into preparing a large dish of chicken sukiyaki and nearly a basin of beef stew together, Martha shooed Aki away. "It's all done but it'll take some time to set in. So go and play outside and I'll call when it's ready," Martha told her as she pushed her out of the heated room into the backyard.
Aki complied and now stood outside on the porch, trying to figure out what to do. She saw that the sky was turning a light shade of purple as the sun began its daily voyage towards the horizon. She checked her cell phone to see that it was almost five o'clock now, realizing just how fast the time flew by.
Upon further inspection of her surroundings, Aki noticed Yusei and his groupies on the distance. Her boyfriend was standing over the raised hood of a truck, encircled by an even bigger group of boys now, and was showing them something in the engine. Saiga was standing nearby.
"Here is what you do," Yusei was explaining to the thirteen year old standing next to him, "Check the battery charge, make sure the spark plugs aren't too old or dirty. That's a distributor," he pointed out, "And it looks fine now but if it rattles it could break and the engine won't get power. Additionally, oil needs to be replaced every three to five thousand kilometres so keep a track of that."
"Awesome..." the teenager hummed, staring at the engine with fascination.
"But remember: this is just for basic checks and maintenance in case Martha needs help and Saiga's not around. And always be very careful," Yusei concluded. Saiga chuckled.
"Okay!" the teen nodded excitedly and Yusei carefully closed down the hood of the truck.
As Aki absently continued watching him from the distance, regretting that the wind carried only bits and snippets of the guys' lesson, she suddenly felt a gentle tug at her coat. She quickly looked down to see that a small girl was standing next to her, her tiny hand clutching at the bottom of her magenta jacket. She couldn't have been older than six.
"Hi..." the little girl greeted her, her enormous green eyes staring up at her in what seemed like wonder.
"Hi," Aki answered, looking at her with curiosity.
"Are you...Aki-san?" the girl asked her.
"Yup, that's me," Aki nodded.
"I'm Rei," the girl introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you, Rei-chan," Aki smiled brightly.
At that point the little girl looked away and, without saying anything else, just began playing with her long brown hair.
Okay... Aki thought and turned away to look back at Yusei when at that same second she felt another tug at her coat.
"Do you duel, Aki-san?" Rei asked her.
"Yes, I do. Do you?" Aki asked.
"Me too," the little girl smiled, revealing a joyful and slightly toothless smile, "I love flowers so my cards are like flowers." She then dug into her pockets and produced a thin pack of cards, holding them out for Aki to see.
"These are beautiful, Rei-chan," Aki said as she sat down on the porch steps and took the cards into her hands to take a better look, "I see that a lot of your cards are based around lilies."
"A lily is my favourite," Rei replied, shyly shuffling her feet, "Aki-san...do you think they're strong enough?"
"They're perfect," Aki nodded. "Here, I have a plant-type deck as well," she said and took out her own cards, showing them to Rei, "Roses are my favourite flowers so I built my deck around them."
"Amazing!" the little girl exclaimed as she now held Aki's cards in her own hands, "How pretty...you even have a rosey dragon! I hope I can get a lily dragon one day."
"You will," Aki smiled.
At the same time, Yusei absentmindedly watched the kids climb all over his motorcycle – the older ones even inconspicuously trying to start it (and failing) – while Saiga was asking for his attention.
"Yusei, everything alright with you guys? With those blood duels and the prohibition and whatnot?" Saiga spoke up in a hushed voice.
Yusei nodded rigidly. "It's fine. Seems like all that may soon be concluding."
"Good. As long as it's over before any more people become affected," Saiga said with a deep sigh.
Yusei would say nothing else on the matter because he suddenly noticed Aki in the distance and forgot everything about the conversation he'd just had. He saw that she was laughing and showing something from her purse to a group of girls that surrounded her. Without realizing it, he lighted with a smile.
She seemed so happy and carefree. Outside of her interactions with Rua and Ruka he had never before noticed just how wonderful she was with kids. She had definitely grown out of her painful Arcadia days, not that her time with that organization had tainted her in any way: at the very least it gave her the strength to stand up for herself, to defend herself against those who threatened to harm her. And she was not only a formidable opponent but she was, in countless ways, his equal. In fact, many times over, he thought her to be better: he thought her heart to be the purest, the strongest... But, at the same time, she was so vulnerable and so fragile that he consistently felt a tug of protectiveness in his chest, of wanting to take her into his arms and to fight off any sorrow or any pain that could come her way.
And she was his now. His one and only.
And here she was, right here. She was perfect. There was nobody else like her and there could never be.
And that was when Yusei suddenly knew. He knew. He knew and he had not a speck of doubt.
He loved her. He loved Aki and he always did. He loved everything about her. He didn't know why it'd taken him so long to realize it, perhaps to admit it to himself, but somehow watching her now...so happy and so amazing...he just knew. It was like a lightbulb went off on his head, almost an epiphany. He even realized that – no matter how absurd their words were on the surface level – Jack and Crow were both right in their own ways when they offered their insights the other day.
Crow described it in terms of physical intimacy and, despite sounding so shallow, he was actually right because nothing ever made him feel the way Aki made him feel...when he was with her, he felt happiness that surpassed realms of possibility. Nothing could possibly compare to when he was with her.
At the same time, Jack described it as a moment that just dawns on you, something that you can't possibly predict; something that you assign your own meaning to. Yusei realized that, for him, loving someone was feeling for someone unconditionally...for wanting to put their happiness above your own...for wanting to be there for them no matter what. If Aki did not feel the same way for him...and if he only got to have her for a short period of time...then what would matter was that he got to have her for as long as he did. And that he'd tried making her happy to the best of his ability during the time they were together.
He would do everything for her. Everything. Anything. And he would die for her.
It was true and it would always be true.
Yusei realized that he was holding his breath nearly all this time and let out a deep sigh. He felt so at ease now, so happy...and he wanted to tell her everything. He really wanted to tell her. Now.
"Yusei?" he heard somebody call him and he reluctantly tore his gaze away from the one person that mattered more than the world to him - more than anything really - and looked in the direction of that voice.
"Can you let us drive it? Just for a few seconds, please," begged one of the kids.
Even though he was rather preoccupied at the moment Yusei still couldn't help but smile. "Maybe when you're all a bit older," he said.
Aki, meanwhile, couldn't remember how and at which point a big group of girls, ranging from kindergartners to young teens, decided to come and hang out with her. Especially why. But she wasn't complaining.
A few of them were now going through her deck of cards while others settled on scavenging through the rest of her make-up bag.
"Stupid boys, they're so immature," a thirteen-year old girl profoundly told her while watching the "boys' playground" next to Yusei's D-Wheel.
"They're not so bad," Aki responded while she concentrated on braiding Rei's hair.
"All they ever care about is cars, video games, D-Wheels and duels," the girl continued complaining, "Like, all those are okay but it's not all there is, you know? What about romance and stuff?"
Aki glanced in the direction the girl was staring and noticed that she seemed to be longing after the teenage boy that Yusei taught the engine basics to.
"Give it a few more years. They get better, I promise," Aki told her.
The young teenage girl sighed. "So immature," she repeated dejectedly, "They're not like older boys like Yusei or Crow or..." she paused and then added with a timid smile, "Jack."
Aki barely held herself from rolling her eyes at the source of the girl's infatuation. Instead, she answered, "They're older, that's all there is to them," and then added, "Give it time." It wasn't completely true, of course. As far as Aki was concerned, Yusei was always mature, amazing and gorgeous and she didn't care for anyone to prove to her otherwise.
"I guess," the girl sighed and turned her attention back to lipgloss she took out of Aki's make-up bag.
Aki finished braiding Rei's hair and ended the long braid with a bowtie. "There all done," she said and watched as a little girl twirled happily.
"Thank you, Aki-neesan," Rei joyfully thanked her.
"You look like you're having fun," Aki suddenly heard the familiar breathtaking voice and looked up to see Yusei approach with his groupies. As he stopped, he folded his arms across his chest and a few boys behind him mimicked him and now stood in the same pose.
"Hi, Yusei," Aki beamed at him and absently tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, "And yes, I am."
Yusei looked around at the girls surrounding her and then back at her, smiling. "You're wonderful," he told her.
Aki heard a teenage girl sigh dreamily at Yusei's comment and realized that all the kids that flocked to them both were intently listening to their conversation. "I'm okay," Aki quickly responded, blushing.
"I want to tell you something," Yusei said and offered her his hand, "Come with me?"
It was as if he also felt the need for privacy. "What is it?" Aki pondered out loud, quite curious, as she stood up from the porch stairs and smoothed her skirt.
"Nothing you don't already know, probably," Yusei smiled at her, "But I want to tell you privately. So come."
Aki nodded and accepted his hand, letting him lead her away, while the responses behind them varied from gagging to dreamy sighs.
Yusei pulled her away around the corner to the other side of the backyard, away from the noise, and turned to look at her.
"Everything okay?" Aki asked him softly.
"Yes," Yusei responded and took a deep breath. And then, just holding his breath and without saying anything else, he continued staring at her. He suddenly felt at a loss of words. Now that he was standing in front of her, about to tell her how he felt, he felt nervous and mortified. What's wrong with me, he wondered in frustration. Was he really that afraid of rejection? Or was he afraid of fully opening his heart to her?
Aki stood there, watching him and still waiting to hear what this was about.
Yusei opened his mouth but nothing came out.
"Yusei...?" Aki asked with light humour, "Are you sure you're okay?"
God, no, Yusei thought and quickly looked away, suddenly noticing something on the distance. A distraction, good. Maybe it's what he needed to compose his thoughts. Looking there, he quietly said, "I used to dream about that."
"About what?" Aki asked with surprise and followed his gaze.
"That," he pointed towards the bright skyscrapers of Neo Domino seen glowing on the dark horizon, "Growing up that's all I could think about. About some day being able to live there once everything is better."
For a moment Aki's memories of yesterday's conversation with Crow flooded her and she felt a yank of sorrow. "Yusei..." she whispered.
"I think I want to live at the Tops one day. And I will," he promised her. The Tops was an upper class residential area and the most expensive neighbourhood in the city. Surely it seemed ludicrous to imagine that he'd live somewhere like that but he didn't care. It was where he was born too. He knew he would do it someday. And maybe you could live with me, he thought about Aki but bit his lower lip, unable to say it aloud. This obviously wasn't the time for that if he wasn't even able to confess his love for her!
"You will," Aki affirmed with a sad smile and reached up to touch the back of her hand to his marked cheek, "You can do anything, Yusei."
Yusei returned his gaze back to her and saw her stunning honey-brown eyes look at him with such conviction, gentleness and affection...He suddenly relaxed. She was so wonderful...she was the one. How could he not tell her this? It didn't matter what her response would be, it really didn't. What mattered was letting her know how he felt about her, completely opening his heart to her.
"Aki," he said quietly and took her hands into his own, "I just really want to tell you something right now." He paused.
Aki stared back into his eyes with curiosity and expectation. She had no idea what he was going to tell her and assumed he was asking her to another date of some sort. Her heart flattered at the thought.
"Aki," he finally gathered the courage and squeezed her hands, "I...I lo-"
"DINNER!" sounded a loud squeal next to them and Aki tore her gaze away from Yusei to see a hyper kid running up to them with excited news. "Martha sent me to say dinner is ready!" the kid announced to them again.
"Okay, thank you," Aki told the child gratefully and let go of Yusei's hands, deciding to keep the atmosphere as child-friendly as possible.
Yusei bit down on his tongue and felt like banging his head against the wall. "Thanks," he said dismissingly, barely having withheld himself from giving a very sour look to the kid.
When the child ran away Aki turned back to her lover and gently brought back the topic of their conversation. "Yusei, what is it? What are you trying to tell me?"
Yusei was looking at her like a wounded puppy. The moment was killed and he couldn't say it anymore. He shook his head slowly with a defeated sigh, "Nothing, Aki. It was...nothing."
"Alright," Aki smiled at him, decided not to press him further. Whatever it was, if it was important, he'd eventually tell her. So she turned to walk back to the house when Yusei suddenly grabbed her wrist, stopping her.
"No, wait," he said and when she looked back he pulled her back to him and kissed her. If he couldn't tell her he loved her now at least he could show her, damn it! Or at least do as much as he could without the comfort of their bedroom.
Aki felt like fire erupted in her. Mindlessly, she pressed against him and her mouth answered his frenzied demand.
Yusei's fingers threaded in her hair as he pulled her closer to him, ravaging her, wanting to taste her more and more. He forgot to breathe and when he had to break the kiss to draw in some air, he looked upon her, his eyes eating her up in desire.
Aki's eyes flickered open as she stared at him, feeling nearly delirious from such sudden and powerful intimacy. "I...don't kiss on the first date," she whispered breathlessly, closing her eyes, suddenly finding the strength in herself to tease him. The heat of his breath on her lips was driving her mad.
Yusei barely fought off a chuckle. "And yet you kissed me this morning," he responded as he pressed his lips against her throat, nearly causing a light moan to escape her.
Aki didn't know how she had any trace of conscious cognitive operations left. Still, she managed to say, "No...that was before our date. It doesn't count."
If she wanted to play then it was more than fine with him. Completely intoxicated by such proximity with her, he mumbled, "Then give it back," and then consumed her in another kiss. He regretted that they weren't in bed now, being as openly intimate as they wanted.
Aki dived into another deep and passionate kiss, gripping his shoulders for balance when her knees buckled. She sank into him, feeling an intense onslaught on her senses: his taste, his smell, his body.
Yusei was the one to break the kiss again. "There, I took it back," he simply pointed out, breathing heavily.
"Okay, I changed my mind," Aki gave up and pushed her lips against his again, nearly shoving him against the outside wall of the house as she resumed devouring his mouth, her hands roaming over his body. She wished that they were somewhere else now, somewhere where they could do whatever they wanted, where they wouldn't be distracted, somewhere where she could rip his clothes off and jump him, somewhere-
"DINNER, GUYS! Come on!" sounded another eager screech alongside hurried footsteps, interrupting them. And then, instantaneously, a series of annoyed grunts broke out, "Ewwww, kissing! Ew! Ew! Ew!"
Aki stopped kissing Yusei and twirled around to face a group of youngsters who were staring and pointing at them with disgusted looks on their faces.
"Oh please," she sighed. All these kids just can't stop ruining everything today! So annoying!
"That's alright," Yusei smiled and placed his hand on Aki's shoulder, "Let's go." There was no use in trying to make this place into what it wasn't: private.
After a big and delicious dinner for all the inhabitants which included at least fifteen kids in addition to Yusei, Aki, Saiga and Martha (and after Yusei and Aki were dismayed with doubled portions they received because, according to Martha, they were "too skinny"), the two of them got ready to leave.
"Aki-san, please come and visit us again," some of the girls begged as they clung to her and on the other side Yusei also had several kids literally hanging on his neck, pleading him to visit more often. And bring his D-Wheel of course.
Lastly, Martha gave them both rib-crushing hugs and tore Yusei's cheek a little more before they were finally on their way.
"Thank you for bringing me here again, Yusei," Aki told him when they were away from the house and walking towards his D-Wheel, "It was wonderful...I loved it."
"Are you sure?" Yusei asked her with concern. He still felt bad.
"You worry too much," Aki responded with tenderness as she walked past him and mounted the D-Wheel.
Yusei smiled and closured her, gently brushing his hand against her cheek. "You're amazing...you know that?" he asked her quietly.
Aki blushed, her mind racing, but still managed to tease him: "So I've heard."
And you don't hear it nearly enough, Yusei thought and leaned down to kiss her lips. "Let's go home," he said softly once the kiss was over and Aki nodded dazedly.
Upon arriving at Poppo Time, Aki silently grabbed his hand and pulled him upstairs.
"Do you want to have a snack or something?" Yusei attempted to suggest as they passed the kitchen with all their friends in it but Aki just shook her head, leading him away, completely ignoring everyone else.
The second the door behind them closed Aki elegantly let her coat fall to the ground and slowly turned around to face him. She saw the way he watched her, the usually aware cobalt blue of his eyes clouding with lust. Without uttering another word, Aki draped her arms around his shoulders and locked her lips on his in a lingering and sensual kiss.
Yusei felt like every nerve in his body twisted in delight when her mouth came to his again, it was so soft and so tempting. Slowly but possessively he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him as he deepened her kiss. He dipped into her parted lips to slowly tease her tongue with his and Aki resisted the urge to latch onto him greedily and to devour his mouth in a spurt of frenzy. She decided, instead, that she wanted to take it slower this time.
At the very same time Yusei decided that he wanted the same thing. Keeping the kiss alive, his hands began to unlace her corset with infinite care and infinite patience. When he finished unlacing it he let it fall to the ground and gently caressed her now bare breasts, causing Aki to shudder in pleasure. She broke the kiss so she could ease his jacket off him and then to pull his t-shirt over his head. She then intertwined her fingers through his belt hoops and coyly began walking backward to the bed, pulling him with her, all the while undoing his pants in the process. He gave her more courage than she ever believed she had, their intimacy now bordering between breathtaking novelty and wonderful comfort.
Yusei followed her, backing her up, his hands sliding underneath her tight skirt to caress her skin before beginning to pull down on the garment.
Aki suddenly stopped, an arm-length away from the bed, eased down his loosened pants along with his boxers and then, keeping her eyes on him, slowly knelt down in front of him. He was already eager and hard for her; perfect.
Yusei froze up, staring at her with unease. "Aki-" he began to say.
Aki felt overwhelmed with the desire to give pleasure to him, only to him, she'd thought about this since their first night together and she was daring to do just that right now. "Yusei, let me," was all she said to his protesting, held him in her hand and then leaned forward, taking him into her mouth.
Yusei flinched at the unfamiliar and unbelievably intense sensation. He actually didn't know what to do while she did that to him – except watch, with wide eyes. He remained completely still, only rested his hands on her shoulders.
And because Aki hadn't done this to him before, she didn't know how he liked it – so she took her time; using her tongue to roll all over, exploring where he seemed most sensitive to. Used her hand to pump in unison with her mouth. Until she settled (encouraged by his unconscious jerks and panting) on sucking on the tip slowly, back-and-forth, while grazing her tongue on the underside, moving her hand and moaning a little from the delight she'd felt at doing this to him.
It wasn't long before Yusei could barely take any more. At how stupefyingly hot it was to watch her do this, on her knees. At the persistent rolling of her tongue, at her enthusiastic sucking, at the little noises she was making… He was done. It was torture. He was going to finish if she didn't stop. Breathing heavily, his hands threaded into her hair as he beseeched her to look up at him. Fairly desperately. "Aki…I-I need you," he groaned once her eyes met his own.
Aki considered ignoring this request. And for a few moments she did ignore him, continuing with what she was doing. There was a brief moment where she felt him harden and grow hotter than she thought possible, tasted him a little, and it was a taste she'd been missing her whole life. She needed him.
"Aki!" he said again; this time it was half-growl and half-hiss. His fingers actively pulled at her hair, stronger now, to get her to stop. She felt a rush of pleasure at that (having the power to make him feel like this, having him undone like this, having him beg) but she didn't want to explore that (yet) today.
With a measured nod Aki finally pulled away and released him, standing up. She stepped back while her nimble fingers finishing doing away with her remaining undergarments. With her eyes not leaving his, she climbed onto the bed and quietly said, "You want me? Then...come here," bidding him to come to her as she now began trembling all over from anticipation.
Yusei didn't need to be asked twice. He took a moment to admire her in her full nakedness, how irresistible and sensual she was, and he fought himself from completely succumbing to his burning lust and ravishing her with vicious intensity. But, instead, he approached, gently pushed her to lie down on the bed, his knees pushing her legs apart and levelled over her. Aki instantly arched her hips against his, revealing her impatience, unable to wait another moment for him to take her.
He peered into her amber eyes, depthless with desire, dark with passion, at her red hair splaying around her, and she was the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen. Keeping their eye contact he finally followed her silent command and began to press himself forward into her, summoning a breathless moan in response from her.
"Yusei…" Aki gasped, squeezing her eyes in pleasure, and enclosed her arms around his neck. Every single time he felt so amazing, so completely amazing, almost too much to take.
Yusei eased all the way in and let out a strangled sigh, burying his face in the nape of her neck. He kept still for a few seconds to calm down a bit so he could prolong this or otherwise this would be over in under a minute. She felt so good every fucking time that he could barely take it. It was almost painful. And what she'd done earlier only served to push him closer to the edge. He took a couple of controlled breaths and was ready by the time Aki's hands gently framed his face and directed his attention back to her.
Looking into his eyes, she whispered, "Yusei...make love to me," and leaned up to capture his lips in a kiss.
Without another moment of hesitation, Yusei responded to her kiss and engulfed her gasp when he began moving his hips at a slow and steady pace, pushing deep with each thrust.
Almost instantly this time, Aki began to feel an intense tension beginning to swell inside her, the tension she'd learnt to recognize and welcome. Craving more she wrapped her long legs around his hips, drawing him in deeper and both of them groaned at the sensation.
Like that...just like that...Aki thought in near frenzy and intensified their kiss by slipping her tongue into his mouth, letting out a muffled moan every time he rocked into her.
Yusei kept kissing her, his lips not leaving hers for a second; he wanted each of her breaths to mingle with his, to become his own. He resumed his slow and thorough pace, concentrating on her and only her. He wanted to savour her, to drown in her, to lose himself with her.
The pressure inside of her was now becoming unbearable. It kept building...and building to impossible heights...as Yusei pushed her further where she was aching to go with each thrust...Aki was almost there, she could feel it so close and her moans got louder. Torn between rocking her hips faster and harder to reach that unbelievable peak sooner and keeping it as slow and teasing as now, Aki suddenly realized what this was: every time they've done it thus far they usually bordered between urgent and zealous, on the edge of aggressive even, as if in heat. But this time...this was different...while it was still the same blinding passion, it was...so tender and yet so strong...so intense...so overwhelming...it was as if he was trying to make this last forever.
Aki had to break their lingering kiss because she was barely able to breathe, squeezing her eyes and pressing her forehead against his shoulder while Yusei's lips now trailed kisses over her neck. She was so close...so close...she was almost there.
This felt impossibly good. This was lust...lust...lust...burning, scorching lust...but...no, it wasn't it. It was something else. Something more. Something so much more.
And Aki suddenly knew it. She knew it in a moment of blinding clarity.
It was love. It must have been.
In the last moment of awareness, she pulled back from his shoulder to look at him.
...desperate, passionate, powerful...
She searched for his eyes with urgency.
... all-consuming, real, selfless...
The cobalt blue eyes found her and she saw vulnerability and openness in them that tugged at her heart. It was as if she looked into his soul.
...mutual...
Gently, his hand caressed her face.
...love.
"Yusei," was all Aki could utter before she shot beyond pleasure into absolute delirium, into intense and transcendental ecstasy. Each muscle in her body clenched and she clung to him, scratching, whimpering, writhing, whispering her love confession but too inarticulate and too inaudible for him to understand...and it didn't seem to end, to ever end...
Aki collapsed on her back, her whole body shaking from the intensity of the pleasure, as if from after-shocks. She might have blacked out for awhile because she distantly realised that hot tears were welling in her eyes. She brought up her hands to stop them before it would look like she's in hysterics.
Yusei slowed down to a complete stop and grabbed a hold of her hands as he sat up, pulling her with him.
Lightheaded and nearly intoxicated, Aki made some sort of an erotic noise of agreement and followed his command, straddling his lap while he knelt.
Yusei placed her arms around his shoulders. He was still inside her and he started rocking into her again but, unable to bear the teasing slow pace any longer, he began moving faster and harder. Having been holding himself back all this time, he was so unbearably close...he was almost there...
Aki nuzzled against his neck, closing her eyes, her body feeling heavy and almost like that of a ragdoll. Still, she began to move her hips up and down in correspondence to his, realizing that he hasn't gotten his pleasure yet, and it was the only thing that mattered and drove her now.
Breathing heavily, Yusei pressed his lips against her collarbone and then moved his head to her neck, burying his face in her hair. I love you, Aki…I love you...he thought and pressed his forehead against her shoulder, holding his breath. Almost there...almost...
There.
Wave after wave of intense bliss assaulted him with mind-numbing ecstasy. He let out shuddering moans, unsure how he hadn't just collapsed with intensity of it all.
Somehow Aki's hand stumbled on his, intertwining their fingers, and he gripped tightly onto it. His mind went completely blank except for hyper-sensitive awareness of her. Her. Only her. The only one.
When it was over, Yusei felt goosebumps even though he felt warm...probably the warmest he'd ever felt.
"I...think I need to lie down," he whispered, his voice nearly failing him. Black spots were swimming in front of his eyes.
"I feel the same," Aki whispered back and cuddled to him when he lied down flat on his back, draping an exhausted arm around her to pull her close. His heart was a thunder thumping in his ears and as if trying to break through his chest while he struggled to catch his breath.
Aki couldn't say anything and neither could he. Everything that could have been said was felt... Drained, Aki passed out into deep sleep in seconds and Yusei followed her example.
It was two o'clock in the morning when Aki slipped out from the warmth of their bed and silently began getting dressed.
When she finished getting ready, she turned back to look at Yusei sleeping, his expression peaceful and unguarded. It will all be over soon and then you and I could just be together. Worry free. You will be worry free, she thought and, impossibly gently, placed a kiss on his cheek. Her heart sank when he stirred but she breathed in relief when he didn't wake up.
After making sure that she had everything with her – most importantly her deck of cards – she tiptoed her way to the door and turned to take one last look at him.
I'll see you once this is over and done with, Yusei. Just in a few hours, Aki thought and left, quietly closing the door on the man she loved and was now certain loved her in return.
In a few hours she would find out that she had just committed the greatest mistake of her life.
So that was some cute (a little graphic) and fluffy before the big storm.
Lots of things will happen in the next few chapters and most questions will be answered.
It will also get considerably darker and more depressing from now on...just a warning if you don't like to read about too many unhappy things. But I promise that this story will have a happy ending.
So stay tuned!