I'm Not Afraid of the Dark (Yuto x Reader)

Chapter 6

*Yuya's Point of View*

Yuya starts by setting the pendulum scale, with Stargazer and Timegazer. He brings out some of his monsters, including Odd-Eyes, which he knows you like. He didn't know what was up with you, but he had never seen you this annoyed and put off. By the way you had acted, it was to do with your mum, but he didn't know any of the details.

He wanted to help, he really did, but to be honest he was a bit scared to approach you. You had always been open to them in the past, him especially, who you treated like a brother, but now you didn't want to talk at all. It must be serious, but he didn't take your silence personally. Some things are bigger than they seem.

Yuya ends his turn with a face down.

"Your move (y/n)!"

He watches you summon a monster in defense position, then place two cards face down and end your turn. He frowns. None of your usual enthusiasm is there, and your heart obviously isn't in the game. Usually you would take the risk and play some daring, exciting, and brilliant move. Defense wasn't really your style.

"Alright, it's my turn!"

Yuya places another card face down and then attacks your face down with his Odd-Eyes. It is destroyed instantly. He then proceeds to attack you directly with his other two monsters. You take the hit in stride, barely flinching. Yuya can't help but worry.

"Are you sure you're up for this?"

You reply with a curt nod. "I'm fine."

"I'm not so sure. We can stop if you want. I want you to be at your best when I win. No cheating. No cutting corners."

"That ego isn't going to squash itself." Your attempt at a smile is weak. You look like your mood is improving since your outburst, but Yuya can still see that the thing bugging you isn't something you will get over quickly.

You draw.

Yuya waits for you to make a move but you don't, stuck staring at the card you just drew.

"(y/n), are you OK? Do you want to continue or what?" He hesitantly approaches you.

That's when he realizes you're crying.

*(y/n)'s Point of View*

You don't even realize your crying until Yuzu offers you a tissue. Yuya must have forfeited the duel and led you out of the arena, because you don't remember much. You weren't paying attention. You only had eyes for one thing, the card you just drew:

Polymerization.

The card used to fusion summon. The key card of the Fusion dimension, representing everything you hate about it, everything you miss, even if your memories of your time there are almost completely gone.

God, you're an emotional mess today!

Yuya sits you down, gently prying the card from where it sits, still clutched in your hand. He barely glances at it before shuffling it back into your deck, but you know that he doesn't miss that there must be some deeper meaning behind it for you.

"Whatever it is (y/n), you don't have to shoulder the weight alone. Please just tell us. Please just let us help you." Yuzu wraps her arms around you somewhere mid-sentence and squeezes tight.

You feel to numb to do much more than nod. Her smile is still sad, but turns a bit more hopeful at your acceptance. Still, you don't have the energy for it today.

"Not today." Your voice is barely a whisper.

This time it is her turn to nod, and she gives you another hug.