One could lose themself to the endless expanse of stars that shone above the Slifer Red dorm that cool autumn night. They seemed to shine brighter over the island that housed thousands of Duel Academia students, as if the dark atmosphere hanging over the land urged the stars forth like the gentle waves below. The moon-- not quite full yet nearly so-- shed a spotlight on the roof where a single student laid on its decrepit shingles. The person in question is a brunet no older than fifteen, sporting a red jacket and denim jeans hanging loose on his hips. He laid with his hands behind his head, carefree as the breeze tangled his unkempt hair further.

If any onlooker were to see beyond the physical realm, they would see the little ball of fluff known as Winged Kuriboh by the youth’s side. The fuzzy creature bounced around happily, its wings flapping to keep it afloat. It nuzzles the cheek of its partner, earning a laugh from the boy that masked the sound of footsteps behind them. 

“Hey,” greeted a small voice from behind the brunet.

Judai turned around to be greeted by the sight of a small boy with light blue hair. The boy sported a jacket of deep blue, worn proudly with neatly pressed slacks. His brown boots were scuffed with red stains, having not been properly cleaned since the incident.

“Hey there,” the taller teen replies softly. “Why’re you up here at this hour?”

“I should be asking you that question, big bro,” Shou quips as a small frown on his lips becomes evident in the darkness. “It’s past midnight! You just got back from wherever you were last night, and it seems like you haven’t slept since then…”

Judai sighs, opting to stargaze further rather than weakly assure his ‘little bro’ of his wellbeing.

Judai had never been much of a liar, after all.

Shou huffs exasperatedly before taking a seat next to the Slifer Red student on the role-ridden roof. Rather than looking to the stars, he looks to his long-time friend in concern… And finds himself freezing.

Judai used to always look as if he were about to cause some sort of mischief, his soft lips naturally curling into the sort of smirk that freshmen would swoon over and the teachers would be weary of. However, the smile managed to never hold a hint of malice; it often reminded Shou of the playful fae in storybooks he had read as a child that had brought mirth and joy to those around them… Now, as Judai looked to the stars peacefully, he resembled a battle-worn warrior surveying a historic battle of years past.

Judai Yuki, the drop-out boy who had been late for the academy’s entrance exam.

Judai Yuki, the boy whose dreams were vibrant like the stars in the sky

Judai Yuki, the Alchemist.

Judai Yuki, the hero.

Judai Yuki, the murderer.

Shou shudders as the mental dam breaks, unwanted memories overwhelming in their clarity.

The shackles falling to the ground as their friends evaporated to dust, the coliseum reeking with blood and sweat as those monsters in the bleachers cheered.

Realizing he was now alone in an unfamiliar dimension in which it was kill or be killed , realizing he could only trust himself as the deceased Manjoume’s spirit partner followed him for a sense of purpose.

A sense of belonging.

There was no such thing as belonging in this cruel world.

Yet, no world could be cruel and cold as those eyes…

The eyes of the Supreme King, golden and icy even as the man he once considered a friend suffered a painful death by his hand.

His large frame leering over O’Brien with pure hatred  and disgust in his tight scowl and bright eyes.

Shou forces his breathing to slow, fingernails digging into his palms so he could feel something that would ground him to reality.

We’re not there anymore, Sho reminded himself. We’re at Duel Academia. We’re safe, and we have the headmaster and teachers watching over us. There is no way Judai, myself, Manjoume, or any of the others could get hurt like that again.

Right?

A gentle hand ghosting over his own pulls Shou out of his reverie. Judai looks him in the eyes, Judai’s gentle gaze asking a clear question.

Is it okay to comfort you? Do I deserve that privilege, after everything that’s happened?

Shou grasps Judai’s hand tightly, as if it were a lifeline thrown to a person thrashing about in dangerous, dark seas.

Judai then does something rather surprising.

He pulls Shou in for a tight embrace, the blue-haired boy’s jacket becoming bundled in his tight fists.Hot tears run down his cheeks, dripping onto the collar of Shou’s jacket.

“Ra, Shou, I… I don’t know what to say, I--”

“It’s okay, big bro,” Shou softly reassures before gently pulling away to meet Judai’s eyes.

“... I missed you, Shou,” Judai says through hastened breaths.

“...Hey, wanna play a game of Duel Monsters? Just you and me, no stakes and no bets.”

“That… Sounds great,” Judai smiles through his tears.

They were going to be okay. Maybe not now, maybe not in the coming months, but they would heal. Because they had each other, and they were enough.

As they climbed down the rusted ladder with Winged Kuriboh following behind cheerfully, the stars seemed to shine brighter than before. The heavy darkness faded away as the trio raced to the warmth of Judai’s dorm, replaced by gentle shadows watching over the youths and the spirit patiently.

They would be okay.