the dust of hope (STARSHIPPING)

"You guys are having fun in this duel, despite everything?" Yusei's words rang out in Judai's head. Fun? Dueling? Those two things hadn't crossed lines in a long time. The black haired teen looked at Atem, who was smiling. That smile was a true smile, nothing like Judai's act.

Since when were duels actually fun? Since before the other dimension, or before all the shadow duels the teen had endured..? Judai could barely remember having a fun duel at all recently. He'd just caused more darkness in the world. Caused more suffering. A sharp call of his name brought him out of his thoughts, and the brunette had to throw up another smile--when had he stopped?-and assured Atem and Yusei that he was fine. He wasn't.
--
"So, Judai," Yusei started, looking at his D-Wheel, "If we do meet again... will I be able to meet the real you?" He asked, bluntly yet hesitantly in a way that was so Yusei. Judai could only blink in response, his smile growing bittersweet. So he'd noticed. Hopefully Yusei never met the real him. Because the real him was a terrible person, had hurt so many. Someone like Yusei didn't deserve to meet someone like Judai. Yusei was hope and Judai was despair.

"If you're lucky? Never."