The Six Rival Sins

“What would you say is the ultimate domestic-romantic gesture?” Aoi sucked on the straw of her strawberry milk, fixing them both with intense eyes. “I talked about it with Miyu lately and we just couldn’t agree on something. Isn’t a bed full of rose petals the way to go? I’d want to be wooed like that.”

“Hmm.” Takeru tilted his head. “I talked about this with Kiku long ago. She mentioned breakfast in bed. Said there’s nothing better if done right.”

Yusaku tried to imagine either scenario. A bed full of petals…. pretty, but it sounded like a pain to clean up. And it’d be expensive for sure. Though Ryoken could probably afford it. Yusaku waved the last thought away. As for breakfast in bed…. wouldn’t you get crumbs everywhere? And even if you didn’t eat bread, it meant one of the pair had to get up earlier, prepare breakfast and then carry it all the way to the bedroom. And what if the other person didn’t feel like eating what had been prepared and was craving something different? They’d still have to eat it out of obligation. Something like a buffet in bed brought in by servants would work best. Ryoken probably could afford- Yusaku stopped himself. Thinking about stuff Ryoken could afford wouldn’t help with his pining. Instead, he tried to imagine what he’d consider the best domestic-romantic gesture.

“I think it’s when you both sleep in. You wake up next to each other, you look bad, but you’re happy. You look at each other and mumble something like ‘five more minutes’ and doze on and off together until you get up, really late, and have a slow day together.”

“Hmmm.” Aoi squashed her strawberry milk carton. “Sounds nice, but isn’t it a bit plain?”

“You said domestic-romantic. It should be a little plain at least.”

“I guess.” Aoi didn’t seem too convinced.

“Playmaker is right.” A deep voice from the cubicle next to them cut in. Everyone turned to him, Takeru most likely keeping himself from yelling.

Ryoken turned around. “Sorry, it was hard to not overhear. I’ve been sitting here for longer than you, actually.”

“Revolver.” Yusaku breathed out. “You should have said something.”

Ryoken shrugged. “You didn’t notice me, so I was just going to let it pass. But I agree. If we’re talking domestic-romantic, it should be rather plain. It’s what makes the domestic part.”

Aoi huffed. “Then what do you consider the best? If it costs more than 5000 yen, I’m calling hypocrite.”

Ryoken picked up his mug and got out of his booth, sliding into theirs next to Aoi instead. “Rain.” He just said. “Watching the rain together out of the window.”

Takeru rested his chin on his hand. “Is that even romantic?”

Aoi looked doubtful as well. “It’s cosy, but romantic? Not really. You’ve got bad taste, Revolver.”

Yusaku considered Ryoken’s answer. He tried to imagine it. Maybe sitting next to each other, surrounded by soft pillows, watching the rain out of the balcony window door. Huddled together in silence. Warm bodies touching. Ryoken’s soft, yet deep voice telling him about his day. Him falling asleep on his shoulder.

“Perhaps… if you share a blanket. That would make it romantic.”

Ryoken nodded. “Yeah, that’s almost essential to it.”

“What about Stardust Road though? Wouldn’t a clear night be better?”

Ryoken shook his head. “Stardust Road is pretty, but it rarely occurs. It doesn’t really feel domestic to me, even if I grew up with it.”

“I see.”

Takeru glanced from one side to the other, then looked helplessly at Aoi. When she only shrugged in return, he heaved a sigh and got up. “You know what? You guys can flirt in peace. I’ll call up Kiku and ask her if she wants to hang with Aoi and me.”

Yusaku wanted to scream. Instead, he opted for an incredulous “Takeru?” while staring at him reproachfully. Takeru had the gall to wink at him before dragging Aoi away.

“So…. domestic-romantic, huh?”

“Yeah.”

Silence hung over the two.

“Who even came up with the concept of rose petals all over the bed?”

Ryoken snorted. “Right? So impractical!”

Yusaku continued, for the lack of a better subject. “And breakfast in bed!”

Ryoken nodded solemnly. “Crumbs everywhere.”

“That’s why I really like your rain idea. Simple and cosy.”

“Your sleeping in together idea wasn’t bad either.”

Yusaku dragged his finger over the rim of his glass of water. “So… are you free next Friday?”

Ryoken looked at him in surprise, then nodded. “Honestly, I’m free most of the time.”

“Then… right now?”

Ryoken took a sip from his mug. “I’m also free right now.”

“How does a movie sound?”

“Like something I’d want to do together.”

“No Spectre?”

“Why would he come?”

“Just making sure.”

“I didn’t know you were the type to move that fast on the first date, Fujiki Yusaku.” Ryoken’s grin reminded Yusaku of past duels. He took him up on the challenge.

“What do you give someone who barely expresses interest in anything? Aside from cards, of course.”

Spectre didn’t even bother to look up from ‘101 Ways To Grow A Forest In Your Backyard’. “What’s wrong with cards?”

“Nothing! I just-” Ryoken sighed. “I wanted to give him something a bit more personal.”

“I don’t think it can get any more personal than you picking out cards especially for his deck.”

“His deck is great the way it is. I’m not sure if I’d like it if he put in cards I picked.”

“I see.” Spectre closed the book with a loud thud. “Then I guess all that’s left is to wrap yourself in a nice ribbon and wait in his bedroom to tell him ‘Your present is me~’. Can’t get any more intimate than that.”

Ryoken considered the option for 2.5 seconds. “I’m not sure if he’s ready for physical intimacy yet. You know how he is.”

“Yes, yes, ten years to just hold hands, I know the story.”

“It wasn’t ten years.”

“Might as well have been. But!” Spectre got up, sticking his book under his arm. “I’m not your relationship advice guru. Frankly, I’m the worst person to ask. Just get him a plant.”

Ryoken took a deep breath, staring at Spectre. “You know what? You’re right. Maybe I can find something if I hit the shops.” He got up, slipping into his jacket, tying his shoes and getting his keys and wallet, ready to leave. “Just get him a hot dog!” Spectre yelled after him. Ryoken shut the door without responding.

The shops certainly weren’t helpful. Every time Ryoken found something Yusaku might like, it just didn’t feel right. The ribbon option became more and more a desperate last measure. Ryoken even purchased a small ribbon hair clip, just in case.

“Oh, your girlfriend will like it. It’s cute in an unobtrusive way, the perfect detail to add to a cute outfit without it standing too much out.”

Ryoken gave the shopkeeper a strained smile, very much deciding against explaining the actual intended use. Sure, a ribbon hair clip was no ribbon wrapped around his body, but that would have been too much anyway. In the end, he decided on a hot water bottle. Yusaku seemed to freeze easily and it didn’t take power to work, unlike a heated blanket. Plus, it came with a plush bunny cover, so it was easy to hug and hold. He got it gift wrapped directly at the store, handing the employee the bag and the receipt, so they could make sure he actually paid for it. Five minutes later, he left the store with maybe not the perfect, but still a very good present.

“It’s nice. Very soft. Thank you.” Yusaku rubbed the plush ears between his fingers, already not completely letting go of the rabbit hot water bottle. “What’s the hair clip for, though? Do I put it on the bunny?”

Oh. Oh. The clip must have been in the bag that he gave the employee. Since they sort of matched in vibe, they must have assumed the two pieces were meant to be given to the same person and put them together.

“That’s….” Ryoken gently took the hair clip out of Yusaku’s hands. “Spectre said something silly when I asked for present recommendations and I got pretty desperate for a little while when looking.”

“Oh.” Yusaku’s eyes were still glued to the small ribbon. “What did he say?”

Ryoken hesitated, but in the end, put the clip on, making sure it was completely visible to Yusaku. “ ‘Your present is… me…’ .” He cringed a little. “He said I should put a ribbon on and tell you-” He got cut off by Yusaku’s lips. Maybe not on his own lips, just the cheek, but still, Yusaku’s lips touching his body. Something he thought would at least take five months.

“Something to match the size of the ribbon.” Yusaku didn’t meet his eyes. Ryoken touched his cheek, the feeling of Yusaku’s lips having touched there still lingering.

“... do you want one back?”

Catching Revolver off guard was hard. It seemed like he was always cocky, in control, sometimes angry, but never really…. surprised, for the lack of a better word. Even when they had started to date, Revolver always seemed to know exactly the right words to say, the right gesture to make, like caressing Yusaku’s cheek with a smirk on his lips, a teasing “Oh Playmaker…” being said just a tad lower than usual. Yusaku just wanted to see his eyes widen for once (could those alien eyes widen? It’s not like he knew), him being speechless and lost for words. Yusaku was determined to make it happen. He just didn’t know how. Yet.

It was when they just sat next to each other in some rather unknown part of Link VRAINS, talking about this and that and eventually ending up on the topic of first loves. Revolver mentioned a boy he met on the street once who was also into playing Duel Monsters. Yusaku brought up the topic of the boy who helped him all those years ago.

“I’m not sure if it really was a first love. But he helped me more than he probably can ever imagine. I’m not sure how things would have been if it weren’t for him.” He glanced over at Revolver to make sure the subject was okay with him. “But he wasn’t among the rescued children. Maybe he’s still trapped in that horrible place. I’ve been searching for him. I still haven’t stopped searching. I just really want to say thanks. I’m not sure if he’s my first love, but he means a lot to me.”

“Oh.”

Revolver’s voice sounded weird. Strained? Was he jealous? Yusaku peeked over, ready to perhaps tease him for once instead of being teased. Revolver didn’t look at him. The discarded mask made his expression easier to see. His whole face was red. Revolver’s hand moved to take Yusaku’s. He still didn’t look at him.

“Playmaker.” He hooked their fingers together. “I’m sure the boy knows how much those words meant to you.”

“Still-” Yusaku wanted to protest that he wanted to at least make sure the boy was safe. Revolver squeezed his hand.

Yusaku was supposed to like spring. Flowers bloomed, the air got warmer, the weather brightened up. But lately looking at blossoming flowers only reminded him of that moment. Revolver’s peaceful face, accepting his fate, the nostalgia in his voice, his soft expression right before he faded away. Sometimes the urge to trample every flower he came across grew so strong he had to duck into the nearest shop to calm down, maybe seek out Kusanagi’s stand to log into VRAINS in peace. A world full of data where everything looked modern and flowers were only in very certain parts. It was one of these times, passing a flower shop full of bouquets, blossoming potted plants and dried flowers, that the unrest in him grew just too strong for him to handle. He passed the shop as fast as he could and entered the one next to it, not even paying attention to what type of shop it was.

“Welcome. Are you looking for something specific?”

Yusaku took in his surroundings for the first time. A used book store. It was small and cluttered, with books partially piling up next to the shelves, stacked on top of each other and leaning against the wood, as to not fall. It was hard to make out the layout, and Yusaku couldn’t even see the store keeper.

“I’m not really looking for anything.”

He hoped his voice wasn’t muffled by the books around him. Then again, he was hyper aware of every noise made, the rustling of clothes, the flipping of pages between the shelves, the subtle sounds of someone shifting their weight from one foot to another, so maybe he was heard just as well.

“Just talk to me if anything catches your eye.”

“Yes ma’am.”

He decided to search the shop for a small corner to sit, calm down, distract himself. Soft steps on the carpet alerted him to another customer in the store, so he discarded the idea of building himself a small stool from books out of the store keeper’s sight. The knowledge of someone else being there still didn’t prepare him for the sight that expected him when he rounded the next shelf. Yusaku stopped dead in his tracks.

There he was, the man he hadn’t seen in months, the one who made him get upset at flowers, the one who’s voice he heard whispering into his ears when he tried to sleep, the pretty face that haunted his dreams.

Ryoken was thumbing through what seemed like a cookbook, a bouquet of dried flowers gently sat down on one of the book piles close to him. He closed the book and turned around, probably to the direction the shop keeper was roughly at.

“I’m sorry, I’d like-”

The only problem was that Yusaku stood exactly in the direction Ryoken had turned to.

“Fujiki.”

Ryoken pressed his lips together. Seemed like he wasn’t as pleased to see him as Yusaku was.

“I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

Yusaku wasn’t sure how to reply. It’s not like he could explain that ‘Sorry, seeing flowers just reminds me of your almost-death so I escaped from a flower shop into here’. Definitely not.

“I just felt like reading books.”

“I see.”

Ryoken hid the book he had been holding behind his back, but Yusaku had already caught the title. ‘20 nutritious yummy recipes for your stubborn little one’. Subtle.

“Congratulations, I suppose? Did you adopt?” Surely Ryoken couldn’t have a child at eating age already.

“Oh.” Ryoken seemed to deflate a little. “You saw.” He pulled the book out from behind his back. “It’s- it’s not for a child. I mean, I don’t have one. But it’s also not for one.”

“I see.” Yusaku wasn’t sure what to say next. ‘Good that you don’t have one?’ ‘Are you planning to have one?’ ‘Did Spectre have one?’ ‘Did one of the Hanoi Knights have one?’ But Ryoken had said it wasn’t for a child. Did Spectre start getting picky with his food? “Then I hope that it fulfills its use for this not-child.”

“I hope so too.”

Silence hung over them. Yusaku felt awkward, dancing around each other like this. They had been closer before. They used to be closer. They should be closer. Yusaku’s chest began to sting. He tried to find something to distract him from this…. new, yet not so new feeling.

“Who are the flowers for?”

Ryoken followed Yusaku’s gaze.

“Those. Oh.” He picked them up, looking a little uncertain. Yusaku wasn’t used to this expression on Ryoken’s face. “Technically, they’re for you. But I wanted to give them to you properly, not like… this.” He gestured around that shop. “I wanted to drop by your house, give them to you, talk properly, maybe make you a nice meal- ah. Nevermind that.”

Did that mean Ryoken had selected the book because of him? Yusaku considered his body. Was he really that thin? Sure, his bones showed a little more, his fingers seemed more thin, his tendons showed a little much when he flexed his fingers but- yeah, he could see why Ryoken had picked up that particular book. He contemplated his options. Talk with Ryoken? Maybe get a nice meal?

“Sure.” Ryoken looked at him, surprised. “But only if you apologise to me for all the months you’ve been gone.”

A grin, no, a smirk, made its way onto Ryoken’s face and for a second, Yusaku saw Revolver in him despite them not being logged in. Ryoken handed him the flowers and stepped past him, waving the book to where the shop keeper was.

“Excuse me! I’d like to check this one out please.”

*yoinks Pridecember prompts to make my own Datastorm December* I crave the boys.

Part 2 (Part 1)

Hybrid AU by @moophinz. There aren’t many posts about it yet, but trust me, it’s grand and fantastic.

Part 1 (Part 2)