Archive of Our Own ^beta

There was so much to do, after the war that went wrong. Though some would argue that it ended in the best way possible. After all, the Academia was stopped, the ARC-V apparatus destroyed before the Professor could kill four girls to bring back the daughter he got killed. Zarc was split into four again, rather than three. And the people who had been carded were slowly being freed. Those whose cards could be found, at least. Dennis had sighed in relief as Crow revealed the way to freeing someone from the cards- how he had gotten out of his own was a secret he refused to say, but at least there was a way to reverse it for everyone else too.

It seemed like a happy ending. Until one looked at the XYZ dimension.

Heartland was still a disaster. The damage from over the past few years was all too real, not only to the city, but to the people as well. Survivors were still being found hiding in the rubble, people who were carded in the midst of duels and battles still needed time to adjust back to the peacefulness that came post-war, and some… would probably never be found.

He had a lot to make up for. The guilt finally hit after so long. How long had it truly been? Dennis took a count in his head, it had been at least three, maybe four years since the invasion had been in full swing. And nearly a year and a few months since he had scouted out Ruri for Yuri finally. There was no scouting anymore.

Ruri was in Synchro with Rin, recovering still from their time at the Academia. Yugo was taking care of them- well, Jack was taking care of them, with Crow and Shinji. Yugo was hovering, when he wasn’t orbiting around Yuri. Serena was with Yuzu in Standard, Yuya and Yuto staying with them for the moment, though there were plans for the four of them to come to Heartland.

Dennis was already in Heartland. He refused to go anywhere else once things died down. Fusion wasn’t his home. There was nothing keeping him there, he held no loyalty to the Academia, nor to anyone else still there. The only ones he could even consider friends were in other dimensions. Alexis joined him, wanting to see their final mission– restoration of the XYZ dimension– out until the end. Aster had come along as well, determined to make things right while working close with Kaito. The two sisters who had trained in the same class as Dennis and Alexis were there too.

Sora wasn’t, thankfully. Dennis was relieved that he wasn’t. It wasn’t something the kid needed to see, and Zane agreed. He and Atticus had whisked Sora and Syrus away to Standard the second Syrus and Atticus were recovered. The twins- much to the shock of everyone, the ‘endless void of card hell’ as Yuri called it, still allowed for aging, they were still twins- needing the comfort of somewhere new and peaceful. Still, Sora stayed in touch. The conditioning of reporting to his handler wasn’t something easily unlearned, and hearing from Dennis helped to soothe some of his issues. Somehow.

Dennis felt guilty about that too. He tried his best, to keep Sora as far out of the war as possible, to shove him at Yuya and Reira to keep him safe. It worked, to an extent. But the damage was already done. So Dennis did the only thing he could do. Kept himself busy. Kept his mind off of it. There was only room to focus on search and rescue in Heartland, to try and cheer people up as he went. He was a performer first now, an entertainer. The mask he had to wear in Heartland. He had ruined so many lives, it was up to him to try and mend at least a few. 

Dennis was an expert spymaster. A handler and trainer. He could put on a performance in Heartland for everyone. He had to be a Performer. It was something he knew how to do well.

He knew how to be anything but Dennis. He still didn’t know who Dennis was, truthfully.

And it didn’t escape his notice that someone never came to Heartland.

So he continued the show. “Section fourteen in the northwest has been cleared for debris retrieval squads. Any survivors and those carded that were there were rescued. So soon the park there can start to be rebuilt!” Dennis grinned as he reported back to the others.

How strange it was, having Kaito in charge. It turned out, his father was the owner of Heartland City, who knew? Came in handy for the group though. Kaito barely spared him a look before he was speaking to Shun again. “We’ll get housing there rebuilt first. Are your raptors up for moving debris?”

“They haven’t stopped yet.” Shun was blatantly ignoring him for the moment. “The traitor can do some work too. Not just parading around.”

It stung, but he didn’t let it show. Even as Alexis cast a concerned look his way. He was used to the people of Heartland not trusting him, especially those who were Lancers too. Shun had more reason to distrust him more than most. 

“I’ll start on it.” Alexis volunteered. “Dennis can show me where.”

Shun scoffed. “Whatever. At least you two Fusion mutts will be out of my sight then. Having one of you around is one too many already, three is unbearable.”

Well that was just uncalled for. All the hate could be tossed at Dennis- Aster too- but Alexis deserved none of it just for associating with him. “The Ritual Ice Queen will be far better out there anyway. There’s too many stairs for someone as delicate as you to be of any use.” Dennis snipped. 

“Like you’d know how to be useful. Your only use was being a little bed warmer-”

“Enough!” Alexis snapped, stepping between Shun and Dennis and glaring at the bird duelist. “You don’t know the whole story of what went on, Shun. Be glad we’re even here helping at all. It took a lot of work to get Reiji to agree to send me here. And even with that-”

She continued to speak, but Dennis tuned her out, looking down towards the ground. It wasn’t as if Shun said anything that wasn’t true, Dennis’ activities with some of the Lancers being the worst kept secret besides Yuya and Yuto’s relationship. And hearing that name again…

“-parks once we get some area cleared for temporary tents. Those who can work in cleaning up the sector can go there when we do and it’ll free up space in the main area for those who are too injured to work.” Alexis finished. She turned towards Kaito as she spoke. “We can work outwards from there. I’ll go with Dennis.”

“Fine.” Kaito sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know how you and Aster did this for years… Go on. You two can start and send word when I can send more people to help.”

It was all the confirmation Dennis needed. “Of course!” He smiled cheerfully. “We’ll get right on it! That area will be spotless within the week!”

He spun around to start walking towards the sector, but he wasn’t quick enough to mask the voided look in his eyes. “Dennis…” Alexis whispered, nodding to Kaito before hurrying after him. “Dennis. Wait.”

“There’s work to do, Lexi! We can’t keep everyone waiting now can we?” Dennis grinned back at her. Act as if nothing was wrong. He was a performer, happy to do as needed in the restoration efforts of Heartland in the XYZ dimension.

Unfortunately, he was also an Academia soldier, arguably the highest ranking one, who had studied side-by-side under the same handler with Alexis. “Drop the mask.” He could pinpoint the exact second Alexis’ own fell. The tenseness in her shoulders, the haunted look in her eyes that took over the determination that had been in them before, her frown was more genuine. Just as she could read him, he could read her the same. “It’s intermission time.” She whispered to him.

Oh how he hated those words sometimes. How conditioned his body was to accept them as a pause in the performance. It was like a weight settling deep in his chest, begging him to stop, to sleep.  Two simple words to bring him out of mission-mode, making his grin fall into a frown. “It really isn’t.” He murmured to her as they walked side by side. Dennis shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

Alexis matched his steps, staying close to his side but never touching. Every movement was planned out, just as they were taught, and her eyes stayed on the road ahead of them, their footsteps silent even with all the rubble around. “For now it is. You need it.”

“I don’t need anything like that for me.” Dennis denied with a shake of his head. “I need to keep working.” He needed to keep himself busy, he didn’t know to do anything else for the most part. And if he kept himself busy, he could keep his mind off of things. He didn’t have to focus on the painful lack he felt.

“You’re hiding from something.” Alexis noted. Sometimes he hated how well she could read him. “Is this about Rei-”

“Drop it, Dancer.” Dennis hissed before she could finish. “It’s not about anyone. We help Heartland, we fix what the Professor broke, then we…”

He trailed off, slowing his steps. Then what? What would there be afterwards when Heartland was back on its feet enough for rebuilding to truly begin? When they wouldn’t be needed there anymore? Alexis had a family to return to, a brother and brother-in-laws, family. Dennis…

Sora didn’t need him. It was probably for the best that they cut contact for a while. Yuri was a wildcard, tempered by Yugo’s closeness to him. Serena was off playing happy family with Yuzu and her father. Shun clearly hated him, and he wasn’t as close to any of the other Lancers. Sure he had gotten along with Gongenzaka in the Synchro dimension but that had been short-lived once Reiji’s plan began. 

Reiji… hadn’t tried to speak with him at all. The last time the two had a full conversation had been in Synchro, the day before the tournament, where Shun had revealed him as a traitor just as they planned. Even once everyone had reached the Fusion dimension, Reiji had been busy confronting his father, and Dennis had been busy slicing apart the Professor’s machine before hunting the Doctor the same way to free the girls.

He brought a hand up to his neck, touching the leather choker there. The emblem of the Lancers was embedded into it, but the marks that it had been used to hide had long since faded. He still wore it, not wanting to take it off, to lose that connection no matter how painful it was.

Dennis wasn’t hiding. Everyone knew where he was, the tracker in his duel disk made his whereabouts clear. It wasn’t him who was hiding. He crossed his arms as they walked. “Trapeze,” the code name did get him to look towards Alexis, who smiled knowingly at him. “Seems you found someone.”

“...No. I didn’t.” Dennis shook his head with a sigh. “Please Lex, just drop it for now.”

He didn’t want to focus on pretending as if he meant something to someone. How could he? He was a performer, a handler, a soldier, a spy. He wasn’t Dennis. He was just on another mission, he had a part to play again. That was all he could do. At least he wasn’t fully alone. Alexis knew as well as he did what they had to do, what they were trained for.

Except she had years of leading a rebellion behind her now. While Dennis had stayed out of guilt and a lack of options. He had no family, the only one he could have counted as any sort of mother he carded and shredded. And no friends beyond Alexis at that point. Could Yuri and Sora count as friends? Maybe… Yuya? It was still painful to think about Yusho’s son. About who Dennis could have been, if being a performer didn’t have to be just another mask.

So he continued as he always had. If he was working in the present, he didn’t have to think about the future at all. Or rather, a lack thereof. Dennis smiled ruefully. Maybe he was the biggest fool of them all, to ever think there would be a future for someone like him.

“Enough of this, we have a show to put on for everyone!” Dennis said cheerfully.

If his smile didn’t seem quite as real as he wanted it to, Alexis didn’t comment on it.

There was only so much work that could be done before the darkness of night made them stop. Neither of them were too keen on heading back, not with Shun being so aggressive still. Dennis was more than happy to steer clear of his hostility and accusations.

“You’d think with Ruri and Yuto safe he’d chill out.” He muttered, splashing some water on his face from the basin in the outpost they decided to stay at. At least there were more than a few of those set up, so they had some shelter for the night. And a way to clean up, with a portable shower attached to the tent.

“He was in the dimensional war the same as us. He’s processing it differently. Especially with Leo Akaba still living. Barely, but living. Shun thinks he’s still a threat, and so is everyone from Fusion, even after Yuya got him to ease off of everyone else.” Alexis sighed, drying off her hair with a towel. “I’ve heard worse insults from Obelisk Force after I defected though. He’ll calm down once he’s sure Ruri is safe, I’m certain.”

“Then why not send him to Synchro too. Let his birds finish the job of destroying the turbo arena there.” Dennis suggested with a slight smirk. “Quite hypocritical of him if you ask me, getting pissy about the destruction here when his own property damage bill is in the millions I bet.”

Alexis gave him a small smile. “What’s our bill of damage combined now?”

Dennis looked her over from head to toe, meeting her eyes again. “Well if you’re not opposed to some unsavory acts… we could probably pay it off between the two of us, if we target the Topsiders in Synchro. It’s not too bad.”

“Fat chance!” Alexis laughed, sitting down on one of the cots in the room. “We’re not doing that. Next time I do anything like that, it’ll be with someone to settle down with.”

“Darn, there goes my hopes for tonight.” Dennis teased as Alexis stuck her tongue out at him with a grin before the two broke into laughter together. He had no plans to even ask. What happened between them long ago had been a one-off deal.

He liked whatever they had going on between them now far better. The easy companionship, how they could work together still even after years apart with only stolen moments in-between, their training had never really left. The good and the bad parts of it. They were a duo to be reckoned with, and they had to look out for each other. At least he still had her friendship.

The outpost they were staying at was small, just a tent with two cots, a few jugs of clean water, and a small box of rations stored there. They had been set up around Heartland for everyone working on search and rescue, making it easier for those working well into the night who didn’t want to make the long trek back to the main bases of operations. Dennis had seen fancier rooms, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. He sighed, taking the other free towel to dry his face with.

Alexis watched him for a while, and must not have liked what she had seen in the tenseness of his shoulders. “Intermission time.” She said, and Dennis scowled at how he relaxed with those words yet again.

“I hate you.” He muttered, pulling the towel down to glare at her.

“No you don’t.” Alexis laid back on the cot with a groan. “You hate that we both got brainwashed into needing those words.”

Even with the teasing between them, they were both exhausted. The work had done its job though, Dennis’ mind hadn’t strayed the entire time they were out there moving giant bits of rubble. Well, as giant as their duel monsters could handle. But both had very limited options, with Dennis no longer having his Ancient Gear deck. They did the absolute most that they could until it became too dark to work.

“No one else is going to go through that hell, at least.” Dennis sat down on the other cot. His limbs felt heavy from how much they had helped to move things around. And all he wanted was to sleep for a year. Maybe more.

“So. Are we finally going to talk about the red-scarfed elephant in the room or are you just going to keep touching the choker like it’s going to solve all your problems?”

Dennis’ hand stilled- he hadn’t even noticed he was touching it again, it was a habit he had to break. A dangerous one if he didn’t even realize he was doing it. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

“Uh-huh. And the jacket you keep with you is nothing too?”

His eyes betrayed him as Dennis looked towards his bag he kept with him. Alexis’ was next to it, but Dennis’ held only one item inside of it. Reiji’s black and red jacket. He had worn it at the Academia like he did the choker. A badge of honor, proof of how close he had gotten to the Lancers, a signal to the rebels trained by Alexis that he wasn’t on the Academia’s side. Knowing the Professor’s full motives, Dennis couldn’t be on his side.

A sense of security, that was what the choker and jacket had truly been. Quieting his anxiety that threatened every step he took. A reminder of that last night, and how Reiji hadn’t noticed it going missing, almost as if he purposefully left it there for Dennis to take. 

But that was just wishful thinking.

“Dennis, talk to me.” Alexis pleaded, her voice coming through his thoughts, reaching over to take his hand. He didn’t move away from the touch, having to use most of his willpower to not lean into it. “Ever since you came back from Standard you’ve been… different.”

“Broken you mean?” Dennis didn’t look to meet her gaze.

“I didn’t mean it as a bad thing.” Alexis sat up, sitting across from him. Their knees touched from how cramped the tent was. “This isn't Academia. This is just us, just you and me.”

Dennis shook his head, pressing his free hand to his eyes. How easy it was for Alexis to tear down his walls. It was almost amusing, just a simple talk was enough to bring that stinging sensation back. “What else is there but Academia? For someone like me?”

He had betrayed Academia in the end. It was his sword broken in the bits and pieces of the apparatus, white and green and orange strewn about in the remains as a sign to the Professor just who had done it. He had freed the four girls, hunted the Doctor with a viciousness that even Serena had been wary of- but, amusingly, Rin had cheered about. While he couldn’t stop Yuri from absorbing Yugo temporarily, he had managed to get through to him in the end with Yuya and Yuto at least.

But it didn’t change the fact that he had scouted Rin and Ruri. That it was on his words and careful plans that Aster had led the Heartland invasion. He was the one to point out Yuzu to Yuri in Standard, and to send Sora there before that. He had been the one to show the Lancers what they were really up against, by betraying them.

“There’s love, apparently.” Alexis said softly, squeezing Dennis’ hand. “You fell in love with him.”

It was enough to make one tear slip past his defenses. How right she was, no matter how much Dennis tried to deny it to himself. His shoulders quivered, whether from him holding back a laugh or a sob, he didn’t know. He had tried to ignore it, to focus on his missions, to just survive long enough to make sure Sora and Yuri would make it out of the dimensional war alive. To make sure Alexis was alright and in the position to take over them for him. And after that… he never planned on having a future.

There had been such a thrill with Reiji, such liveliness that it almost made him want to plan one. It couldn’t be, however. He was just someone Dennis used to pass the time, to keep Sora safe. And Dennis was just allowed so close to keep him from running back to Academia before it was time for their plans. Calling them friends with benefits had been pushing it really.

No matter how warm Reiji’s arms had felt around him, or how they could match each other in dueling and sparring so well. The chemistry between them had to mean nothing. The warmth in his chest that last night, when Reiji had been pressed against his back, holding Dennis so close, had to be just a fluke. There couldn’t be any more to it. No matter how much Dennis wanted there to be.

Alexis’ arms were warm as they wrapped around his shoulders. And he clung to her waist, face pressed against her stomach as she stood in front of him. “I can’t be. It meant nothing to him. He doesn’t even know me.” He whispered against the soft shirt she had on. It all came spilling out then. How they had met, how they came to work together, how Dennis had fallen into his bed one night and they just continued on. 

“You don’t even know who Dennis is.”

“I think I do. I’ve watched you enough.”

“You’ve seen what I want you to.”

“Hard to hide behind masks around someone who’s done the same. You don’t need them around me.”

The more he spoke, the more he thought, the more he realized Alexis was completely right. Reiji had been the first since her to see through the masks. Even when Dennis himself couldn’t. Dennis had given up his position as an Academia spy so easily, turned away from Yusho too. Yet it was Reiji who he had never betrayed. Somehow along the way, he had fallen in love. 

Alexis carded a hand through his hair, her pinky hitting the choker. “Oh Dennis, I think there was more to it than you first assume.” She whispered to him. “He gave you this, didn’t he?”

Dennis pulled back, moving to unclasp the choker and hold it gently in his hands. “He did,” his finger brushed over the emblem of the Lancers that was visible on the outside of the accessory. It was right at the clasp, resting just to the side of the center of his neck. But on the inside of the leather was something far more possessive . 

The initials RDA. Reiji Akaba, with a D for Declan, the name he had sometimes used to separate himself from his family, considering all three siblings shared the same initials, the same Rei- part of their names too. It had first served a purpose in hiding any marks on his neck, even though a lot of them had peeked out from under the choker.

“Seems to me like Reiji Akaba wanted everyone to know you’re off limits with that.” Alexis pointed out, sitting back down. “It certainly was quite the statement when you showed up at our hideout with it on. You wouldn’t even wear the Obelisk Force jacket, so you wearing a Lancer accessory? With his initials-” She cut herself off as she caught sight of them, her eyes widening.

“Dennis.” Alexis whispered, looking pointedly at him.

Dennis shook his head. “You’re looking too far into things.” He murmured, dashing his own hopes as he put the choker back on. “It was just to get under the Professor’s skin. What better way to do it than to show off his son winning?”

Alexis sighed. “Answer me this then, if you’re so certain about that.” She laid down on the cot, turning off the flashlight that had been giving them enough light to see before. “What would be so bad about you being genuinely happy for once? Why are you so against that idea?”

He didn’t answer her when she asked, staying silent even as the night went on and she fell asleep. Dennis reached for his bag. He ignored the way tears fell from his eyes as he curled up on his side under the jacket that had long since stopped smelling like Reiji. Just knowing it had been his was comfort enough. It wasn’t until he was certain Alexis was asleep that he answered.

“After everything I’ve done… I don’t deserve to be happy.” He whispered to himself.

Dennis started working early in the morning, not wanting to face Alexis after their talk last night. Not yet. His emotions still felt raw and out of his control, something he was unfamiliar with after so long. He crossed his arms over his chest as he walked, gripping his arms tightly. Even in the heat of dueling during the war, he hadn’t let his masks slip as much as they had. Yet he just couldn’t seem to get a grip.

Maybe he could blame the rain. It was just a light drizzle, but the way the sky looked promised that more rain was on the way. It was just wet and cold enough for Dennis to give in before leaving, having slipped the jacket on and pulling up the hood. But that wouldn’t stop him from working on moving the rubble. They almost had a whole housing lot cleared, and once that was done they could tell Kaito to send more people to clear out a larger area.

They could tell him after one more day of working. And then Dennis would move on to the next area that was in need of searching. All in the name of keeping himself busy with the mission. To keep him from playing the conversation of last night over and over again in his head. He just had to focus on the job.

And the footsteps following behind him. They were unfamiliar, not Alexis coming to check on him, not someone Kaito would send to oversee them, and not another Lancer. Dennis frowned, putting his hands in the jacket pockets and turning down one of the ruined alleyways. The footsteps stayed the same distance away. Someone was following him. Two someones, he noted. Well, that wasn’t ideal for his day but it was nothing Dennis wasn’t used to. Either they were two still loyal to the Professor, or two who lived in Heartland who wanted to take revenge into their own hands. He had dealt with both before, one with a heavier hand than the other.

The reflection of a window ahead of him gave him his answer as to how to handle it. “Well now boys. You’re a bit far from Academia aren’t you?” A grin slipped onto his face as Dennis stopped in front of the window, looking at the familiar blue coats. He was in quite the situation, he realized belatedly.

The window that had fallen down from one of the buildings on either side of them was the only thing separating him from quite the drop into the river that flowed through Heartland. It was a source of power, if he remembered right. Heartland was a resourceful city. The concrete that sloped down to the river didn’t look like it would be very welcoming to go down if things came down to a fight or a duel.

A duel would be the best outcome though. The noise would attract people to the area. And maybe bring a few smiles to some faces. He could play the dashing hero, taking out the bad guys with his superior dueling skills. Make a mockery of the Obelisk Force holdouts, make things a bit easier for those who defected if they agreed with his handling of things.

Of course, things never went according to plan.

Dennis had barely moved out of the way before the blue blade of a duel disk was shoved against the window, cracking the glass as Dennis finally was able to get a good look at who had cornered him. His eyes widened. Only one of the duelists that cornered him was an Obelisk Force soldier, the other was someone he had seen glaring at him and the others from time to time. Someone from Heartland.

“You really don’t want to do this.” Dennis warned, getting his own duel disk ready. The green blade was different from his original duel disk, but it was still threatening all the same. “Must you make a mess here of all places? We’re trying to clean this up to restore Heartland, you know!”

“Shut up!” The duelist from Heartland snapped. Dennis noticed he had an Academia duel disk as well. “Like you actually want to help, when Heartland’s in such a state because of you!”

Dennis pouted. “Well I said I was sorry! We all had our parts to play in the show that was put on, and now I’m part of the stage crew to clean up the mess!” At least around strangers his masks wanted to work. But things weren’t looking good for him.

The one from Obelisk Force would be easy enough to take out. He had opened by lashing out, which meant he was one of the newer recruits. Brash, thinking he had something to prove, Dennis could have him unconscious and waiting for someone to get him easily. It was the Heartland one that would give him issue. The man was angry- rightfully, Dennis thought- and anger would make him more unpredictable on top of being a stranger. He had a duel disk though, and Dennis could see cards in the deck slot.

His best bet would be to focus on the holdout first, then get the other one into a duel. Alexis at least would hear the commotion, and help subdue the man if things were going bad for Dennis. There was no time to wait as the Obelisk soldier tried to strike at him again. He was fast, but Dennis was faster.

It seemed that Academia had never changed up its training moves. As the duel disk was thrust forward, Dennis sidestepped the man, jabbing his fist into the other’s stomach. It was enough to leave him winded, but not the blow to unconsciousness that Dennis had been hoping for. Angry and stubborn, a bad combination. 

“Just what made you two think teaming up against little ol’ me was a good idea?” How had someone so upset about Heartland’s destruction decided teaming up with Obelisk Force was the way to go about it?

“You’re just a traitor to both sides!” The soldier wheezed. Dennis barely had enough time and room to duck out of the way of the next blow, movement in the corner of his eye alerting him to the fact the Heartland duelist had moved in to help. “No one would really care if we got rid of you. And if you defeated us then the rest of Heartland would finally see your true colors!”

So that was their game. Defeating the soldier wouldn’t get him any grief, or credit for that matter. But someone from Heartland? Who would everyone really believe then, him, or the beaten man? All the more reason to end things quickly. If the man was willing to make an ally out of an enemy against him… well, things were worse than Dennis had first thought. Plans changed, Dennis leapt away from both men, pulling out a card and playing it quickly.

Just the action alone was his biggest misstep. He should have run, brought them both into the open and hoped the noise made before a duel was enough to get Alexis to find them. But with his left arm holding up his duel disk, his right crossed to play the card, his side had been wide open. And the man from Heartland didn’t seem to want a duel. 

Academia duel disks hurt. It was a fact Dennis knew from training. He was certain, years ago, that his arm was going to be nothing but one big bruise when Yuri discovered that fact too. He had always been one to jump into a fight quickly and finish it off just as fast. While he expected the pain of one slamming into his side, he didn’t expect the searing white burning agony when the sharp edge of the duel disk jabbed into a still-recovering burn from the ARC-V apparatus explosion.

Dennis couldn’t do anything about the darkness creeping into his vision as he fell to the ground. He tried to fight off the unconsciousness trying to claim him, but the kick that soon followed was enough to put an end to that. He barely even had time to wonder what would happen, or to think on if he truly cared. If that was how he was going to go out, well… at least he wouldn’t give Shun the satisfaction of doing it himself.

One second he was in some of the worst pain he had felt in his life, then there was the welcome relief from it in the dark unconsciousness. Until his eyes snapped open, Dennis jolted back awake and hurried to try and figure out what was going on.

The first thing he noticed was the noise. There was rain pouring down outside, a soothing noise that was soon drowned out with the sounds of angry shouting. He recognized the voice of the man that had attacked him, and Kaito. And, unfortunately, Shun. But Alexis and Aster were both there as well.

The next thing was where he was. One of the more stable buildings in Heartland that had been spruced up to hold the majority of people sticking around to help others. He was in an office it seemed, leaning against one of the walls. As Dennis tried to move, he winced. His side was still a source of major pain, protesting any movement.

And it wasn’t as if he could use his hands to prop himself up more. Not with them handcuffed behind him. Explained the soreness in his shoulders, the cuffs were tight and as flexible as he was, the position wasn’t the best. It was the least of his concern though as Dennis listened to the shouting.

“-don’t care what happens to him! He attacked us for trying to help!” The man shouted. “He worked with another Obelisk Force soldier to try and hurt me!”

“No one else had been out there, and Kaito would have told me if he was sending someone!” Alexis snapped back. Dennis couldn’t remember the last time she had sounded so angry. “I find it funny that you were able to bring Dennis back in that state and not the soldier who would be far easier to defeat in a duel or a fight!”

Shun was the next to speak, “what the hell does that mean, Alexis? I always knew we couldn’t trust him! It makes sense he’s working with the holdouts, no wonder you both wanted to go out there so bad!”

“Watch what you’re implying, Shun.” Aster warned in a low tone. “Don’t forget just who Alexis was to the Academia, and Dennis has been watched this entire time.”

“Well maybe it’s time we stop wasting resources watching him and do something about him!” The man broke in.

Dennis sighed, leaning his head against the wall. So then, the two that had attacked him went with a third plan. Not finishing him off, not leaving him to rot, but trying to turn everyone against him. And succeeding, if the voices of other people gathered around were to be believed. Alexis and Aster were defending him, but it wasn’t too helpful, given Aster’s own position in the war. He moved around slowly, managing to get his legs stretched out in front of him.

There was nothing he could do. It was his word against the man’s, with no other witnesses to tell what happened. Already he knew who the crowd believed, and the others wouldn’t have much choice in the matter of what to do with him. Hopefully they would just send him to a different dimension. Synchro would be ideal for him, he could lay low there. Standard wouldn’t be too bad, if he could avoid everyone else. They needed to heal, and he wouldn’t be good for that. Fusion would be hell.

He closed his eyes. Maybe they would have him carded instead. Dennis wasn’t sure what that felt like. It would be a fitting end though. “Well, looks like the bitch might win in the end after all.” He murmured to himself. Hadn’t his own handler told him he would go out that way? Just seconds before he had carded her to prove his loyalty to Academia? He always hated her being right.

The voices were too loud for Dennis to make out after a while, everyone talking over everyone else- shouting really. How disorganized things were. He was really grateful no one else was in Heartland now.

“That is quite enough.”

The icy feeling that washed over him was a clear warning to Dennis that he should stop counting roses before the show’s over. The one voice he could make out between all the shouting and hollering was the one he least expected to hear ever again, with how bad things had seemed to be going for him.

Even with a wall between them, Dennis could feel how he commanded the room. Everyone fell silent enough that Dennis could hear his footsteps as he came to stop in front of the door. And just behind him, a smaller set of light footsteps. Had he really brought them along too? For what reason? To laugh at Dennis for how he had fallen?

“Reiji.” Dennis raised an eyebrow at the relieved tone in Kaito’s voice. “There’s been a situation. With one of your Lancers.”

Was that what Dennis was currently?

“He isn’t a Lancer, he’s just an Obelisk Force brute!” Shun snapped.

Dennis could almost imagine how Reiji turned to look at the Lancers in Heartland, posture relaxed but clearly in charge. Even when standing across from Shun, who had been the one closest to him for the majority of the war after the Heartland attacks. The two had always butted heads, Shun facing issues with hostility while Reiji always seemed to keep his cool.

He hated to say it, but maybe Shun would be better than Dennis could be for Reiji. He was sure of it. Maybe he could just surrender, ask to be sent away somewhere far away from everyone. Maybe then the pain in his heart could heal and-

“Just like the man next to you is?” Reiji asked cooly. “I thought you kept better company here, Shun. It seems Yuto was right to be worried about you.”

“What?” Shun ground out.

“It’s simple. Alexis has a point you know, doesn’t this seem too convenient?”

Dennis’ shoulders slumped with relief he couldn’t hide. Of course, of course Reiji would see right through the man’s bullshit. After all, what was a pawn to a chessmaster?

Shun growled, taking a heavy step closer to Reiji. “You weren’t even here! What do you know?”

“I-... I was.”

Dennis’ head snapped forward so quickly his shoulders began to ache from the movement. He knew Reira was with Reiji, but they had been in Heartland? In one of the sectors not yet cleared?! Yet Reira speaking up was enough to get Shun to quiet down. He had always had a soft spot for Reira, protecting them and keeping them safely out of harm’s way as much as he could.

“Wh-what do you mean?! You’re trusting some little kid?!” The man screamed. “I told you what happened!”

“And the picture evidence states otherwise.” Reiji moved, Dennis guessed to show Kaito said evidence. “Reira, go ahead.”

He had no warning as the door opened slightly, Reira slipping inside and jumping when they realized Dennis was in the room. He gave them a reassuring smile, mask slipping back on easily. “Hey there.” His voice was quiet. “Seems you came in to stop my disappearing act? I worked so hard on it.” He pouted. Of course, he had no plans of escaping, but he had to try to get them to smile.

Reira shook their head, staying near the door. Dennis chuckled softly. They were still unsure about leaving Reiji’s side in unfamiliar areas then. He stayed relaxed, trying not to move too much so he wouldn’t spook Reira, even as the position he was in began to make his side bloom with pain once more. It was easy enough to hide as the shouting began again.

People seemed torn between the two sides more evenly. A frustrated sigh from Alexis told him it still wasn’t in Dennis’ favor though. Not surprising, but Kaito seemed to be taking things seriously, berating the man without any hint of pity. He sounded rather short, angry. Dennis didn’t envy him, having to be in charge of all of Heartland while his father or any other government official was tracked down. He had a lot on his plate, and the man had just put more there.

“I have an idea you may agree too that will work for everyone.” Was all he heard Reiji say before the voices were covered by others and the rain outside. Dennis closed his eyes again, letting his head rest back against the wall. There was nothing more to be done, with his fate in their hands.

He wasn’t sure how to feel about that.

Or about the sudden warmth on his uninjured side. Dennis opened his eyes slowly, careful not to move and startle Reira, who had come to sit next to him.

“Missed you… being around.” Reira whispered.

Dennis stared at them for a moment before sighing. “I missed being around too.” He whispered back. “I don’t think I will be for long though. A performer’s job is never done. I’m sure Synchro needs some smiles. Or Fusion. Whichever Reiji ends up sending me to.”

Reira shook their head again, but gave no verbal answer to his words. The two fell into a comfortable silence, waiting to find out what would happen when a loud crash made both of them jump. The door slammed open, the man that had attacked Dennis falling through it with a familiar purple and white sword embedded into his jacket, pinning him to the ground. Dennis tried to sit up straighter then, hissing in discomfort as the movement tugged at his side.

Reiji walked in calmly, violet eyes not quite glaring at the man, but the look certainly wasn’t one that held any positive emotions towards him. “It’s good Alexis called last night to tell me to come to Heartland.”

The sly little snitch. 

Dennis looked at her standing in the doorway. She looked every bit the Scourge that her title made her out to be as she stalked towards the man. Just outside, Aster had a hand on Kaito’s arm to keep him from following her, Shun watching her with a slightly thoughtful look. There was a reason why no one in Obelisk Force ever wanted to be on rebel roundup duty, his partner spared no one who tried to cross her path.

“Are you sure you still want to say Dennis attacked you when we have pictures Reira took that put you right in the heart of an Obelisk Force camp putting on one of the jackets?” Alexis stomped down on the man’s brown jacket as he managed to get the sword away from him. It slid across the floor, landing at Dennis’ feet. 

“Y-You’re gonna trust some kid?!” The man sounded panicked, trying to get out of his jacket to get away from Alexis and Reiji.

“We’ll trust the evidence and truth of the matter.” Reiji blinked, looking over at Dennis and Reira finally.

Dennis couldn’t meet his eyes, lowering his gaze to the ground. “So what’s my punishment then? I’ll admit, I did strike the Obelisk Force soldier.”

“See! He admits it! Get rid of him!” The man shrieked as Alexis pulled her own duel disk out, moving the blade of it to stab into the ground next to his head. “Her too!”

“I think not. Alexis is doing fine work here in Heartland. And attacking anyone still supporting Obelisk Force is not a punishable offense.” Reiji turned away from the man. “Synchro has offered up the Facility to hold anyone still wanting to continue the war. I believe it’s best to move this man there for now.”

Dennis shivered. He had almost forgotten about the Facility. A place he wasn’t keen on visiting again. Prison just wasn’t his style, though the jailbreak had been fun. It seemed his attacker had the same thoughts about that place as he paled. That seemed to be the cue Aster had been waiting for as he walked over to the man, lifting him up by his jacket collar. He wasn’t alone, Grace and Gloria followed after him, looking at the man in disgust.

“Why do we have to do all the heavy lifting?” Grace rolled her eyes. “Synchro sucks.”

“Oh come on Grace, at least there’s some fun there.” Gloria smirked, taking the handcuffs from Aster to put on the man. “You gotta admit, Jack is easy on the eyes.”

Dennis smiled weakly at the twins’ banter. Oh how he had missed it, really. The five of them had all been in the same class, when not working with their handlers. It had been a better time, before anyone had been attacked, before the cardings started. He hadn’t seen much of them since. Gloria waved to him as they took the man out, Dennis shrugging one shoulder as a sign that he couldn’t return the wave.

It was enough to draw attention to him though. Dennis looked sheepishly up at Reiji and Alexis. “I would offer some hospitality, but I’m currently in a bit of a bind here.” He joked. “A magician can usually get out of cuffs but someone seems to have swallowed the key!”

Alexis groaned, pressing a hand to her face and shaking her head. She looked ready to say something, before thinking better of it and crossing her arms. “Why didn’t you wake me up this morning? Why go out alone?” She asked instead.

“And ruin your beauty sleep?” Dennis tried. Alexis didn’t look too impressed.

“Are you able to stand?” Reiji asked softly.

Oh how he had missed that voice. Alexis had really hit the nail on the head the night before. Dennis wanted to hate how much his mind wanted him to just lean into it. “Ah… not- not really.” Dennis admitted finally. “Even if I wasn’t handcuffed, they got my side pretty good. I can work through the pain but,” he tilted his head slightly towards Reira. The kid didn’t like seeing any of the Lancers in pain. Dennis could hide some of it, but he was fairly certain it was a rib bruised as well as his skin still hurting from the burn. That was never fun to work with.

Reiji nodded, Reira moving away as he and Alexis came over to help Dennis up. Reiji was gentle, keeping Dennis balanced. Alexis was behind him in an instant, a hair pin in her hand. The second he heard the cuffs click open, Dennis rolled his shoulders to work out the soreness, shaking out his hands and flexing his fingers to ease the tingling that had started to form in them. His side protested him standing, but it was bearable for the moment. “Thanks.” He murmured.

Alexis looked him over quickly. “You don’t seem harmed beyond your side.” She said with a nod. “How bad is it?”

“About a seven?” Dennis guessed.

“So a full ten then.” Alexis smirked as Dennis glared lightly at her. “You can’t keep working with that injury. No way in hell. You shouldn’t have started working if you were injured.”

“We were all injured. A little burn is nothing.” Dennis waved off her concerns with another smile. A minor setback in his performance was all it was, something easy to recover from. “Now really, there’s work to be done and-”

“And you’ll be returning to Standard today so I can oversee your recovery.”

Dennis paused mid-sentence, mouth still open from the unexpected interruption. Reiji was looking at him, Reira hiding behind their older brother. Reiji was staring at him, violet locking with blue as Dennis closed his mouth. He wasn’t sure what to say to that, his heart hammering in his chest. Reiji wanted him to return to Standard.

Reiji was ordering him back to Standard. To oversee his recovery.

He refused to let hope bloom in his chest. Of course Reiji wouldn’t want one of his players hurt, that was all there was to it.

Except… Alexis was smiling, hugging Dennis quickly in goodbye with some knowing look in her eyes. She was so close to him. “Intermission time again.” She whispered into his ear.

He had to keep his eyes on Reiji. To keep himself from biting Alexis for that one. She could really be a cruel bitch when she wanted to, couldn’t she? Dennis was going to train himself out of relaxing to those words. He should have done it years ago. Before Alexis could use it like that against him. It was hell trying to keep up his performer mask with those two words ringing in his ears.

Alexis let go of Dennis with a smirk, like a cat that caught the canary. “Go rest up. Yuya and Yuto are coming here today to help, so their dragons can take over with moving rubble around.” She said happily. Her mask remained in place. Dennis couldn’t hide the fond smile when he saw the genuine concern in her eyes.

“Yeah… I don't got much choice now do I?” He asked, chuckling as Reira proved his words further by moving over to him, grabbing the sleeve of Reiji’s jacket that Dennis was still wearing. There was no way he could leave with Reira clinging to him. “Alright. To Standard then. Can’t say I’ll miss being here in Heartland… or be missed, by most.”

Alexis left them as Reiji led the way to the teleporter. It was a lot safer than using their duel disks, linked to a similar one in Fusion, Synchro, and Standard. Dennis didn’t feel like a hostage walking with the Akaba siblings at least, with Reiji walking just a bit ahead of him and Reira clinging to his sleeve still. It was a comfortable silence that fell around the three of them. Trust Reiji to break it.

“You kept my jacket.” Reiji spoke softly. It was almost hard to hear him.

“I did.” He whispered, looking at Reiji once again. It hadn’t been that long since he saw him. Nothing much had changed, other than a lack of scarf around his neck. Just how quickly had he and Reira come to the XYZ dimension if he had forgotten it behind in Standard?

There was a softness in his eyes that Dennis didn’t recognize. Especially when it was aimed towards him . It was a different look than how Reiji had looked at him all those times before, but the feeling of it was familiar in a way. He wasn’t sure what had changed.

“Good.” Dennis tried to keep the butterflies in his stomach from fluttering around as a smile came to Reiji’s face. They shouldn’t be doing it. He shouldn’t be doing it. Who would ever look at a spy with such kindness? Who would look at a soldier with such-

It was wishful thinking. Dennis looked away as they reached the teleporter. There had to be someone else, someone better that had Reiji’s attention. But Reira tugging him into the teleporter, moving to hold his hand as they reached up to grab Reiji’s as well…

He could almost let himself pretend he was someone who mattered again.

“So doc, how bad is it? Going to need to amputate?” Dennis joked.

He sat in the kitchen of Reiji’s apartment, no shirt and just the jacket keeping him warm against the AC of the place. Reira had been whisked away by Yuzu and Serena the second they arrived back, Serena giving Dennis a wink and- just how many girls in his life were going to torment him? Was that his punishment for his crimes?

No, it was Reiji telling him to strip the second they arrived at his apartment. Dennis had refused to remove his pants, but the vest and shirt were soon laid on the arm of the couch, Reiji’s jacket around his shoulders when he began shivering. Dennis looked down at his side as he sat waiting for Reiji. The burn was an angry color, some blood dried around it from where the duel disk had sliced him. Truthfully, to him, it looked worse than it felt.

Which was a rather grim thought. Dennis felt as if he had gone four duels back-to-back with the Battle Beast. Moving too much felt like agony again and he had to be careful about how he sat. 

He had to be careful thinking about the last time he had been in the familiar kitchen. He was sitting at the island counter, pointedly looking anywhere but towards the counter next to the sink. He had gained quite a few welcomed bruises at that counter just a few months back.

The choker sat around his neck still, keeping part of it warm. Though it sat right where a bruise that Dennis thought would scar once had, a bruise gained in that very kitchen.

“You shouldn’t be moving around too much while it heals up, but you’ll be alright.” Reiji answered as he came back into the room. “You should’ve been seen to sooner.”

There was an underlying question in his words. Why hadn’t Dennis been seen to? Why go straight to Heartland and not get treatment for his injuries like everyone else? There was too much to be done. And Dennis had been running on autopilot mostly. He had to make up for everything he had done. He had to keep working. What else was there for someone like him? It wasn’t as if anyone had been jumping up to help him. Besides Yuri, but Dennis had escaped his notice. Yugo made quite the easy decoy on that front. And Alexis, but he didn’t want to think about his traitor of a friend right at that moment.

He jumped in his seat when gentle fingers brushed against the bruising on his side. They were cold, and a bit slimy. “Don’t move, I’m just putting a salve on the burn to help it start to heal.” Reiji soothed. When had he gotten so close?

“I could do that.” Dennis said weakly, the protest dying as Reiji continued rubbing the salve onto the burned area, careful around the cut. He sat there quietly while Reiji worked, unsure of what to say or do with the other man so close now. He kept his breathing under tight control, afraid to move too much and break whatever spell was around them.

There was so much he wanted to say, but was he allowed to voice any of it? So much left between them, left from the war, from what they were doing before. He was beginning to doubt his own thoughts on what went on. And yet, he couldn’t voice the questions he wanted to ask.

Reiji stood in front of him once the burn was covered in the salve and bandages, moving his jacket over it to protect it from the cool air and setting the jar down on the island. Dennis looked up when Reiji seemed to lean closer.

It was the featherlight kiss to his forehead that finally broke the dam.

“What are we doing?” Dennis whispered, willing his voice not to break too.

“Right now? Making sure you’re alright.” Reiji whispered back, pulling away just enough to look at Dennis. How easy it would be to just lean in, to kiss him again and forget about talking.

But Dennis’ masks wouldn’t hold. Not with those piercing eyes staring at him. Reiji had seen past each and every one like they were nothing. Like Dennis was as fresh to war as anyone from Standard was. He wasn’t a soldier, a spy trained too young, knowing of no other way of life for himself. Almost as if he was just Dennis.

And Dennis was terrified about that. Who was Dennis, really? He didn’t know. And yet Reiji stood in front of him as if he did.

“You know that’s not what I meant.” Dennis shook his head, nudging Reiji back and standing up carefully. “This, the sparing before, the sleeping together, that kiss- all of it.” He looked at Reiji.

He almost hated how handsome the other man was. And how he could still draw Dennis in. Those violet eyes hidden behind the red-framed glasses looking at him with emotions that weren’t so guarded. What had started out so casual, just a means to an end for the war, had turned into so much more , at least for Dennis. And he hoped, he hoped , that there was even a chance for it to be real.

“If this is just a game, tell me. So I don’t get my hopes up again.” Dennis was close to tears after they had been apart for so long. “I couldn’t come back to Standard. I had to go to Heartland- I had to fix what I started, so many people are gone because of what I did. I couldn’t come back here and just fall back into place like the others! There’s no room for a soldier here, or a handler or a spy or any other person I’ve had to be!”

“I couldn’t come back to what we were doing if it was going to mean nothing to you and-”

The hands that cupped his face were enough to shock Dennis into silence, but it was the deep, bruising, claiming kiss that made him sob. He moved then, gingerly, to wrap his arms around Reiji’s neck. He clung to the other man as Reiji moved with the same carefulness, his hands leaving Dennis’ face and arms wrapping around his waist. He moved forward, forcing Dennis back until his back was just barely touching the counter, never breaking the kiss even for a second.

Dennis fell into it. As if that planned betrayal in Synchro had never happened, he had never left. As much as he didn’t want to, he couldn't stop. Reiji crowded into his space, keeping him pinned against the counter without letting his side touch it. So careful, so gentle with how he moved Dennis around, a far cry from the way he kissed. It was commanding, his tongue brushing against Dennis’ lips before deepening the kiss even further, pushing into his mouth as Dennis submitted.

“Reiji-” Dennis gasped when they parted for a second for air.

“This is not nothing.” Reiji whispered against his lips, his hands resting on Dennis’ hips. “You are not nothing, Dennis.”

He couldn’t hold back the tears at that. “I am.” He couldn’t bring his voice to be louder than a whisper. “After everything I’ve done-”

“You saved everyone.” Reiji interrupted again. “I found your sword in the apparatus. And Leo wasn’t quiet about how… defiant you were. When you went back. He knew he lost you the second you showed up with this.” One of his hands moved up Dennis’ stomach, past his chest, to gently run his fingers over the choker. Dennis leaned into the touch like a man starved. “You told Yuto where to find Rin and Ruri. You disposed of the Doctor so they would all be free from him. You took apart Academia from the inside.” 

As he spoke, each deed was accented with a kiss. To his lips, his cheek, his jaw. Dennis’ eyes screwed tightly shut. “I knew you could do it. There wasn’t a single night I didn’t think about what would happen after we finished this war.”

“How can you even look that far ahead?” Dennis asked, falling quiet once more as Reiji kissed him, pulling him away from the counter. He was walking them somewhere, Dennis knew exactly where. He had walked that familiar route so many times.

It was no surprise to him that Reiji turned them around, coaxing Dennis onto the bed. “Because I was determined to make the future I saw a reality. You were too.”

“I didn’t even plan to make it to the next day sometimes.” Dennis denied, shaking his head against the soft pillows. Laying down was easier on his side, and Reiji’s bed was the softest he had ever laid in, even if he had never stayed in it for long. “You still don’t even know Dennis . I don’t-”

“I do.” Reiji was on top of him in an instant, kissing Dennis yet again. And Dennis pulled him closer. He never wanted to let go. “You’re more than what Academia turned you into. You are you.” He pulled back, brushing Dennis’ bangs to the side.

“And I love you, Dennis.”

And the final masks fell.

It was Dennis’ turn to initiate the kiss, pulling Reiji impossibly closer and kissing him with everything he had. It wasn’t much. But he hoped so badly that it would be enough between them. Reiji moved as they kissed, laying so that Dennis’ side would be free of any weight without ever breaking the connection between the two of them.

“I was worried, when you didn’t come to Standard with the others. When Kaito reported you were in Heartland doing more work than anyone who lives there.” Reiji murmured, moving down Dennis’ jaw to press a few light kisses to his neck, unclasping the choker. “You sent Sora here and Yuri to Synchro then vanished for a few days. You never taught Sora how to not be so loose-lipped about secrets around friends, did you? He told us where you went before Kaito confirmed it.”

“I didn’t… want to be hard on him. After what happened to Syrus.” Dennis admitted, clinging to Reiji as he tilted his head back. “I had to work. To keep my mind off of-”

Reiji had said it first. The very words Dennis had been running from.

“I-I… I love you too. But I was- I was scared. Who could-”

“Keep putting yourself down and I’ll just add to the list of things I’m going to do to prove my words.” Reiji warned him, nipping at the skin of Dennis’ neck. “I thought the marks and the choker would tell you how serious I was about this. Or the jacket. Didn’t you see how many times Shingo stole Gongenzaka’s or Shun’s?”

Dennis grew confused for a moment. What did Shingo stealing a jacket have to do with… “Boyfriend jacket.” He whispered, almost scared to vocalize that thought.

“You said it yourself once. Akabas are highly possessive.” He could feel Reiji’s smirk. “I wanted everyone at Academia to know not to touch what’s mine. I figured a ring would be far too forward though.” Dennis moved his head, burying his face in Reiji’s shoulder to hide a bright blush as the other set to work on marking his neck and shoulder with more than a few bites. 

It was such a familiar feeling, with so much more warmth behind it. He couldn’t help the smile that came to his face. And for the first time in a while, it felt genuine. “I’m still scared though.”

“Of what?”

“Of this not being real. Of it being a game or something ruining this…”

Reiji switched back to kissing, his hand rubbing Dennis’ hip soothingly as he moved them around once more, kissing his lips. “It’s real. And this has never been a game. I don’t half-ass things.”

“I know you don’t.” Dennis did know that quite well.

“And if anyone tries to ruin it, I’ll ruin them .” Reiji promised. “So you’re staying here. No more Heartland, no more making up for a war that wasn’t your fault. No masks around the apartment, even if I have to get Alexis here to get you to drop them.”

Dennis groaned at the light threat, his head falling back against the pillows. “How do you know about that?”

“Sora is bad with secrets.” Reiji reminded him. “And Zane was all too happy to throw my father and his trainings under the bus, or rather, the bike. Yoko is half the reason he’s still in Fusion hiding. Though he said that was your and Alexis’ doing.”

He looked closely at Dennis. “I don’t want to know the words. You’re seeing a specialist though, to help.”

Dennis hummed, gripping the back of Reiji’s shirt like a lifeline. “What if I want you to know them?”

“I don’t want that power.” Reiji shook his head. 

“That’s why I want you to know them.” Yet, Dennis couldn’t bring himself to say them. They fell into a silence that felt so heavy, yet so comfortable at the same time. Dennis tilted his head, asking silently for something Reiji was glad to give him, the two kissing once more. “I… how are they?”

“Better. Everyone’s missed you.” Reiji told him, moving off of Dennis as Dennis turned to lay on his side, facing Reiji. “And I do mean everyone. Especially Sora and Reira though.”

“I shouldn’t be around them. Sora needs to heal from the war too.” Dennis denied, moving closer to Reiji and laying his head on his chest. “Part of me still says I shouldn’t be near you.”

“What if I want you near me?” Reiji’s arms were back around him. “I missed you more than them.”

“I missed you too.” Maybe he could be happy. Maybe… he did deserve happiness.

It wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot. But laying there with Reiji, tears drying on his face, neck stinging slightly from the bruises, in a soft bed with the best pillow. Dennis thought it could be okay. He could be okay, at some point. They would be okay, together.