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There is a common held belief by many, that the trials of life make you stronger, that the failings and traumas life throws at you will build you up brick by brick with scars for mortar. Yusei didn't believe that, not anymore at least. For all his failures and regrets, nothing felt as reassuring as the gentle rise and fall of those he loved most nestled securely in his arms. The pressure and weight of them against his chest or, in the case of Jaden, splayed out across the bed like undeceive cat in a sun beam. Yusei was sure he’d probably end up falling off if he rolled too far, but for now he was content to let him be. Jesse was laying on his chest, snuggled tight after he had buried himself under both the normal and blanket AND the comforter; leaving him little more then a tuft of blue hair barely peeking out of his little den. The excessive blankets on top of the layered body heat were not exactly comfortable, but in truth Yusei really didn’t mind.. He’d long since gotten accustomed to it and besides, who was he to disrupt this moment?
“ WAKE UP SLEEPY HEADS !! ”
“ Upupup! Rise and Shine Ladies and Gentlemen ! ”
Ah right, the youngsters.
Jaden was the first to startle awake, falling over the bed’s edge and onto the ground as he dragged part of the blanket down with him and revealing the slowly waking Jessy. Just outside the door stood Yuma and Yuya, two of the younger members of their odd little family. Both were as energetic as they were impatient and thus; Yusei couldn’t exactly say he was surprised by their loud awakening. Carefully pushing himself up into a somewhat awkward sitting position he watched as Jaden scrambled to his feet, kicking off the bit of blanket that had gotten caught on his foot in his tumble.
“ ALRIGHT, YOU ASKED FOR IT MUNCHKINS! ” Jaden yelled at the two boys who, smartly, took the chance to get a few seconds of a head start as Jaden took off after them out the door and down the hall.
If Yusaku and Yugi weren’t awake already they certainly were now, that much was unquestionable. Though he would probably still have to get Yuga up himself, a tornado could pass over and that kid would still be sleeping sound as ever.
Yusei turned his attention down to Jessy, who had finally poked his head out from below the covers and still seemed to be questioning what year it was. Yusei let a hand brush across his bangs to pull them out of his eyes which naturally led Jessy to look to him for answers as he pushed himself up slightly.
“ Wuh happ’n? ” Jessy grumbled, still wiping the sleep from his eyes as best he could, though it didnt seem like he was really giving it too much effort.
“ Wake up call by the twin terrors again, Jaden’s on the chase. Did you wanna go break it up? ”
Jessy took a moment to look at the opened door as his eyes went upwards in what must have been a rather challenging attempt at thinking given his state. Alas with a simple shake of his head, Jessy was back to being firmly planted in face first into Yusei’s torso as he reaffirmed his hold on him.
“ Mmmm nuh-uh.. Mornin’s cold.. boyfriend's warm… ”
Can’t argue with that flawless logic.
Yusei chuckled lightly and reached out to tug the blankets back over Jessy. He seemed content to continue hibernating and Yusei didnt plan on disrupting that further, at least not yet. They still had a few hours until Yuga would need to be up to get ready for school and it wasn't like anyone else would be needing Yusei to be their alarm clock.
“ HEY NO FAIR! No Zexal in the house ! ” Jaden was yelling again, followed by laughter from the twin terrors.
“ THATS DIFFERENT, This is Zexal TWO ! ” Yuma retorted.
“ THATS THE SAME THING !!! ”
“ Nooo Nononono see, this one is totally different! He’s Red and Orange with long hair an’ armor an’ stuff ! ”
Yuya wasn’t exactly yelling like the other two were, but that didnt matter much when your default volume was ‘Stage Projection’. Yusei heard a door fling open, if he had to guess it was probably-
“ KNOCK IT OFF !! ”
Yup, there was Yusaku, right on time. Yusei would have to apologize to him later for the disruption no doubt, if A.I didnt have him moving on from it by the time everyone was up for breakfast. Yusei's hand moved to cover Jessy's ears a bit, and raised his voice just enough to be heard.
" Astral ! Lights out this early please ! "
" Aw c'mon ! He's the one who agreed to do it anyway ! "
" To save you from the momentary consequences of your own actions- "
" Yeah Yeah ... "
" Thank you for the save anyway, Astral ! "
" You are very welcome, Yuya. "
Their voices began to quiet down, drawing a long sigh from Yusei as he looked back to his chest. Jessy wad snuggled up closer to him, having berried himself back under the weighted blanket like a very fuzzy blue sand snake safe in his little den. Yusei’s hands wrapped around him as he took a deep breath, letting himself lay back down and turn his eyes to the opened door. The ‘trio’ of terror were settling it seemed, their voices now inaudible mumblings of excitement. He would have to ask Jaden for the riveting details once he was properly up and at it, but until then he was content to let him handle the early morning chaos.
Worst case scenario, Yugi and Yusaku would reign it in no doubt.
The trials of life, the things that make someone cherish the moments of calm. The cold streets of a city that wished for nothing more then your continued misery that makes him cherish how much Yuma and Yuya love their city. The abuses of power to separate family and friend to make him value how A.I and Astral can call this place home. The string of laughter from two boys trying to duel one of their elders before breakfast. The grumpy scolding from a well meaning yet overworked collage student followed by the gentle questioning of an aspirating game designer. The gentle breathing of one of the men he'd come to call beloved resting on his chest.
These.
These were the things worth enduring life’s trials for.