#Part of My Destiny [Asoi]

[getyouraoion]

Tag dump: Ships!

[getyouraoion]

A little drabble for @riseofthephoenixfallofdestiny, because her Aster is so precious and this ship is totally becoming a thing- And because she needs a smile. <3

~After Aster gets upset and practically runs away with his (unofficial) girlfriend, Aoi finds herself alone... And with a discovery: She dislikes sleeping on strange couches.

A soft groan left parted lips, the pigtailed girl shifting just slightly and pulling the blanket closer to her chest. If she was still tired, there was no way it could be morning yet.... And the sound of distant waves was soothing, easing her back into-

Waves?

Green-blue eyes fluttered open, blurred vision clearing with the aid of a few blinks to remind her she was nowhere near the dorm room she called home, but somewhere far safer, forcing herself to sit up for a better look at the darkened interior of the yacht. Right, she'd gone there with Aster for some privacy... Privacy they'd not only received, but made the most of with dinner, a movie, and cuddling on the couch. An evening she'd not soon forget, for sure.

The memories tugged her lips up into a soft smile; who would've known the great Aster Phoenix was such a sweetheart? Sure, he'd been absolutely livid then they'd gotten there, but as the evening had gone on, his anger had been slowly replaced by laughter and smiles, and the teases she was so used to. They'd made dinner together, joking over the process. Eaten on the deck, under the stars, while he'd not only tolerated her excitement over finding a few constellations, he'd chuckled and joined her to point out more. Let her pick out a movie and helped her gather together a snack, the remnants of which she could still see on the nearby coffee table.

But try as she might, she couldn't remember the end of the movie... A hand stole up, brushing through her bangs; had she fallen asleep during it? It made sense – they'd been so heated in their conversation when they'd first arrived, the heavy discussion combined with a flurry of emotions for the pro draining her energy by the time they'd finished dinner. But the last thing she could remember was laying her head on Aster's shoulder, comfortably snuggled into his side...

So where was he?

Pushing the blanket off, Aoi slipped off the couch to stand, glancing down at the black shirt she wore. Right... She'd spilled her drink on herself, to which he'd been more than happy to offer her one of his own shirts... Just not expected her to end up in nothing but said shirt. With the faintest of giggles leaving her lips, the charmer duelist shuffled past the coffee table, trying to get her bearings in the dim lighting. They'd not explored much... or rather, he hadn't let her explore much, though she was quickly getting used to how guarded Aster was, even with her. Wherever her firebird had gone, she'd have to find him effectively blind to where she was and where she was going.

A turn found the kitchen; the dishes had been done, everything clean and ready for the morning. And as much as she hated anything resembling chores, she couldn't leave a mess on the table, prompting her to scuttle back and collect the bowls and glasses from their snack as quietly as she could, nibble on the remaining cheese cubes in one bowl, and leave the dishes in the sink. Washing them would be too loud, and she had no intention of spooking him.

A bit more exploring from there located what looked to be a study, several bookshelves bolted to the walls and covered in books. Moonlight streaming in from a window illuminated a few titles, Aoi scrunching her nose up in distaste at them. Leave it to Aster to have books on economics and running businesses... She'd have to slip a few of her own into his collection at some point, provided he ever let her back onto the yacht to begin with. The action-jammed stories would round things out nicely, and besides, who didn't love a good fight scene?

Clearly not Aster, she reasoned with herself a moment later, spotting one book on a desk, loaded with bookmarks. Most of their interests were so wildly different from each others... How they'd gotten together was beyond her, but she still caught herself thanking her lucky stars they had while running her fingertips along the stuffed book's cover. She could see him sitting at the desk on a slow day, studying as much as he could about business, tearing bits of paper from a notebook to serve as bookmarks – Just the thought brought her smile back, heart skipping a beat in her chest at imagining the dedication and determination in his eyes.

Turning on her heel, she ducked out of the study, glancing around for another unexplored room. He'd probably have a fit if he knew she was wandering around like this, but for the first time, she didn't care; why was he so secretive? It wasn't like he didn't know she was trustworthy, considering their relationship – even if he still hadn't outright called it one just yet – and how long they'd stood by each other. But there was still a large part of him completely closed off, his core shielded from her... On one hand, she couldn't blame him after the mess with Sartorious some time earlier, Aoi decided, sticking her her head into another room and making note of where the bathroom lay. He'd been used, treated like a pawn for so long, even she'd have trouble trusting the sun to come up if she'd been in his shoes.

Slowly, she nudged open a cracked door, pausing at the sight she found. Aster, fast asleep in his own bed, a book open on his chest... Her smile both grew and softened, the familiar warmth in her chest spreading; how could she deny being head over heels for him? Just seeing him so vulnerable, so peaceful left her wanting to curl up beside him and protect him, remind him he wasn't standing alone. The D, Sartorious, his parents... All used him, or left him in the end, even against their will.

And yet, as much as she didn't want to take their place, she wanted him to know he wasn't as alone as it seemed.

Aoi gave a little nod of her head and crossed the room, crawling under the covers and molding herself against his side. It was far from proper and she knew he'd likely have her head come morning, but the couch was lonely and she... And... She....

“Nnn... Aoi...?”

A glimpse up at his sleepy, half-lidded blue gaze nearly broke her, leaving her unable to do more than press a kiss to his cheek and settle in for the rest of the night. “Shhh. G' back to sleep, Aster. Th'.... Th' couch was ah...” She hated lying to him, but how did she explain she just wanted to be with him? The couch was lonely, but in all honesty, she wanted to be with him. She wanted to be against his side, able to touch him, see him. “It...”

“If you missed me, just say it.” His arm shifted, book falling to the bed on his other side while the limb wrapped around her shoulders, holding her close to him. Even half asleep, she could hear the tease in his voice, her own smile only widening with it. How did he always know just how to make her heartbeat speed up like that? And make her feel so comfortable at the same time?

Pecking several kisses to his shoulder before laying her head against it, the raven gave a faint giggle. “I missed you. An'...” She paused; his breathing had evened out, softened, eyes the color of the morning sky once more closed. It was one of the few, rare times she'd seen him so vulnerable, exposing a side of himself she doubted many had ever seen before.

So, with a quick wriggle to push the hem of the shirt she wore down for modesty, Aoi let her own eyes drift closed, draping her arm across his middle for a loose hold. “I love y', Aster... I love y' so much...”

And he'd never have to stand alone.

Not as long as she lived.

[getyouraoion]

Another drabble for @riseofthephoenixfallofdestiny​  <3333

~Aster and Aoi have been dating for well over a year now, even moving in together shortly after her graduation. He’s even starting to open up some, which thrills the charmer duelist... But it also opens up the possibility for all kinds of nasty surprises, including one with ties to Aster’s past.

Warnings for kidnapping, electric shocks, and death mentions.

Part 2 of 2.

Aoi groaned, rubbing at the tingling skin around the shock collar. With only a few hundred points left, she couldn't afford another mistake, glancing from the Dance Princess of the Ice Barrier and the canon behind her to the cards in her hand. She'd been dragging the duel on for an hour, taking her time and cracking jokes, but no matter her move, it had to be her last turn. With a wave-motion canon on the field and having been sitting there for six turns just for the humiliation of being thoroughly defeated, she'd either win, or probably die from the resulting force of the shock the attack and canon would give her.

And with only a Magician's Valkyria on her field, boasting a hundred points less attack strength than the princess, she was ultimately done for without a good draw. But how could she draw when her hands kept shaking so badly? How had Zane gotten so addicted to this? If not for the fact she was trying to keep Aster safe, she'd definitely have run home after the first three turns, when the biggest shocks had hit. Underground dueling definitely wasn't for everyone, apparently, and if she had her way, it'd never bother either of them again.

Trembling fingers slowly pulled the next card from her deck, eyes drifting closed. If this wasn't something good, then he'd be getting his hands on Aster... She didn't care what happened to her, but like hell she'd let anyone touch him! “My move-”

“Taking your sweet time about it, too. Come along now, kid. You met your match. Give in and let me have him.”

Her captor's snide tone made her blood boil; how was he so certain he'd win? Sure, he'd managed to destroy all her charmers but Hiita, the familiar-possessed spellcaster sitting her her hand. Even combining her with the Unpossesed trap active on her field wouldn't help, the raven lifting her new card to peek at...

And instantly breaking out into a smile.

“Hey, remember m' charmers?” she called out, plucking the fire charmer from her hand to summon. “Y' met wind, light, an' earth, but never fire. So I think it's time for you t' meet the girl that changed destiny f' both me and Aster, Familiar-possessed Hiita!” The angry sound from her charmer made her lips quirk into a grin and her opponent's into a smirk; oh, how she was going to cherish wiping that smirk off his face! “Next up, Th' field spell secret village of the spellcasteers! S' long as I have a spellcaster out, you can't use your spell cards – An' I've got two. So guess that means y' won't be beating m' next turn, huh? Not that you'll get a next turn.”

Her kidnapper sighed, making a grand show of examining his fingernails while the stage around them filled with holographic branches and trees, creating the small hidden village pictured on the card she placed. “And I can destroy it next turn. You're so cocky. I might've taken interest had he not found you first.”

Aoi shuddered. “An' now I'm disgusted.”

“You should be flattered. My mentor taught me everything-”

“Like how t' be a creep, apparently.”

“Your mentor was nothing but a monster!”

Two sets of eyes turned to the doorway off to the side of the room, though only one brightened at the sight of Aster. As much as she wanted to thank god for his support, she couldn't help but huff at him; why hadn't he listened? If her strategy failed, he'd have them both! “I told you t' stay at th' party!”

With all the grace of an angry wildcat, the pro simply shrugged his shoulders and grinned, still lacking the familiar sparkle, but now sporting both deck and duel disk on his arm. “I don't listen to fools with thick skulls and accessories she'd normally be caught dead in.”

“If y' keep distractin' me, I will be.”

“...Not a joke I needed to hear, Aoi.”

“Love you too.” Shuffling the cards in her hand, she shook her head, turning back to the duel at hand. “Right... Next up I'll play m' Book of Secret arts- It gives my Valkyria another 300 attack! An' I'll add a One-Shot Wand t' Hiita to boost her another 800-” She could hear the numbers clicking into place in her head; He still had 2900 left to his life points, compared to her 500. Her village kept his spell card sealed, the canon across from her powered down for the moment, previous flashing lights halted and dimmed to near nothingness. Unless he had a trap, then-

“And yet, you can't seem to do math. Go ahead, attack me. It'll buy you a single turn to say goodbye.”

Even Aster chuckled, turning her grin into a laugh of her own. The card had been a gift from the pro; if anyone knew her strategy, it was him, the raven-haired duelist shrugging. “Then I can say goodbye t' you, thanks! Hiita, take out his princess.”

“You still can't do math-”

“You can't tell when I have an ace in m' sleeve.” He was right; she was horrible at math, but she wasn't about to admit as much, turning her gaze to the charmer pointing her staff at the Dance Princess. For the first time, she wished she could really feel the heat from the flames collecting at the weapon's end, rather than just the elaborate hologram they were all used to, the grin of both monster and duelist matching. “Unpossessed has a little effect I never mentioned. Y' got around it earlier an' destroyed Wynn by removing her from it's protection, b'... Familiar-possessed charmers gain an extra 800 attack durin' their attack. Which means not only does y' ice princess melt, but it paves th' way for my Valkyria to completely finish y' off! G' for it, girls!”

She'd never before been so satisfied by the sounds of someone being attacked by a holographic monster, nor that of one being destroyed in battle. But she could have done without the screams of agonizing pain, shaking hands barely returning her cards to their place in the deck, disk retracting and holograms fading, before clasping over her ears and making her trembling far more known to her boyfriend.

But it was his gentle touch, hands cupping her cheeks and gently turning her head towards him, that snapped out of her daze. Green-blue focused on the familiar, warm blue of her firebird, the easygoing smile on his face full of fake cheer and incredible worry. He'd been terrified, ready to do anything it took to set her free on the helicopter ride there... Yet now that he had her in his arms again and she could see that sparkle in his eyes, neither one could find an inkling of the worry they'd felt.

“I told y' I was fine,” she teased, pressing in a soft kiss to his lips. His hands moved to her waist in a heartbeat, then further, arms wrapping around her to pull her flush against him so he could return the kiss with an emotion she couldn't quite place. Love was always present, but... Was that fear? Nervousness? Panic? Whatever it was, it was overwhelming, shaking hands grabbing onto his jacket.

Only when he'd pulled back, just slightly, did his smile drop, laying his forehead against hers. “You're trembling... What do you need?”

“Two things.”

“Name them.”

“Get this collar off m' and... Take m' home...?”

He wouldn't get a chance to reply, the words taking the last of her strength to say. At least she wouldn't hit the floor and just make him panic.... Again....

Hours had passed since the duel. Evening had turned to late night, then the early morning hours, a welcome change once they'd gotten to the hospital and the shock collar removed. She'd need to be closely watched overnight, just in case of internal damage from the force of the electricity, but if nothing went wrong she'd be free to go in a few day's time, minimum, news that initially made the weight light off Aster's chest.

He'd not expected it to return once they were alone in the room, eyes trained on his clasped hands between his knees rather than the sleeping form of his lover on the bed. They'd gotten lucky, this time...  The scenario kept playing out in his head; what if she'd not drawn the card she needed? What if her kidnapper hadn't been so cocky and wanted to finish her off quickly, rather than prolong her suffering? What if he'd never left her for those drinks? And the one thought that scared him the most: What if he'd not reached her in time?

As much as he hated it, he couldn't stop seeing her laying there, completely at the kidnapper's mercy. She'd made it clear she'd do anything to protect him; what would 'anything' have entailed? Just knowing someone was so willing to use her against him made his knotted stomach twist into a painful pretzel, fingers curling tighter and tighter against each other, until his knuckles were white from the grip. By all sane logic, she'd be safer without him, left with her parents in Domino where she could live a happy, normal life.

Yet nobody said he was sane with her in his life. Even if it meant she'd be safer, he couldn't see his life without her in it; her sweet smiles and gentle touches kept him firmly on a path he needed, one he couldn't find alone. And above that, he was tired of being alone, tired of living a life walled off from everyone else. She was his safe haven and he needed to have her beside him.

“Frowns aren't a good look on y'.”

His head practically snapped up, relief flooding him at the familiar green-blue gaze and sweet smile of his girlfriend. If there was ever a time he could dance around and sing it was right then, but the words that left his lips said anything but. “Do you even know how much danger you were in?”

“Mhm. And I know I'm still tired and sore, but hey, look! No more shakes!” With the faintest and most tired of laughs, Aoi held her hand out to show him, the other working the buttons on the bedside to raise the top half of the bed so she could sit up. “An' I can breathe easier, too, though my lungs still hurt. Gonna sound funny, b' my hair hurts-”

“This isn't a joke, Aoi!”

Her rambles came to an abrupt stop with his snap, head canting just slightly to the side. He'd not had anger in his tone towards her in years... “Aster... I told y', I wouldn't let him have you.”

“Don't you understand?” His voice was rising, winning him a flinch from the the charmer duelist. “Did you only think of yourself?! I can't do this without you, Aoi- If he'd killed you, I'd- Sacrificing yourself was the stupidest thing I've ever seen you try to do! Don't ever do that- Don't ever tell me not to come after you! You could've been killed! You expect my life to be the same without you? After I've lost everyone I ever shared my heart with!? What were you even-”

Aster too a deep breath, looking down to his hands again. As angry as he was, yelling was getting him nowhere, though it had thankfully expelled the rest of the urge to do something from his system. Without it, anger slowly eased into worry and heartache, face falling with a heavy sigh. “...Don't make me live without you.”

Slender fingers tugged at a loose thread in her blanket. She knew those feelings... They were the same ones she held for him, a love so strong she couldn't stand to think of life without him. Granted she'd never lost loved ones like him, but...

He was right. She'd not thought things through, and it'd almost cost them both everything. The look of pure heartache and dejection on his face made her own chest hurt; what she wouldn't give to hug him tight and remind him she was still there. “...I'm sorry. B'... Aster, I couldn't... I couldn't let him hurt y'. He wanted revenge an'... What happened to him?”

“...Heart attack.”

“I hate myself for saying he kindda deserved it. Actually, nobody deserves that, but... At least I know he won't b' hurting you in th' future. Still I... I can't live without y', either. I love you, Aster – there was no way I was gonna let him get near you. I promised t' protect you, and I wasn't going to give that up so easily.”

“Aoi, please-”

“You listen here.” Scooting to the edge of the bed, she slipped her legs off, bare feet pressing to the floor, and reached out to pull the pro closer to her. In a heartbeat, he was out of his chair, arms tight around her and face buried into the crook of her neck, a sign he was hurting more than he dared to let on. “Listen. I love y', Aster Phoenix, an' maybe I was too reckless. I'm sorry. But I promised you I'd never let y' hurt anymore, remember? I meant it... An'... A-An' I won't. I promise I won't so please never leave m' either-”

Renewing that promise was her own tipping point, hot tears quickly building and falling as she nuzzled her face into his hair. “S-Stay with m' forever- I need you in m' life too-”

Reaching up, the sileverette cupped her cheeks, pulling her into a soft kiss full of love she quickly returned, burying a hand in his hair, the other grabbing onto the front of his shirt – when had he taken off the jacket? It gave her a chance to feel his body through the light fabric, solid muscle underneath a further reminder he was real and not some kind of wonderful dream.

They'd barely parted when he spoke again, lips still close enough to brush against hers with every word, an action that sent shivers through both. “Then spend your life with me, Aoi. Spend yours with me, and I'll spend mine with you. Stay by my side.”

Green-blue widened; she didn't need a blunt translation to know what he'd just asked of her. It was a request that made her heart skip a beat... And lips curl slowly into a smile, nodding her head with it. “Forever. I will- O-Or should I say I do? 'Cause Aster... There's no place I wanna be than by your side f' all time. Now an' forever. B-But y' think you can handle m'...?”

“Only if you swear not to give me a heart attack. I love you, Aoi.”

“I love you too- Oh god, Aster, you're a dream come true-”

Parents always tell their kids, if you wish on a shooting star, someday, it'll come true. Most of the time, that's just a silly story- A way to boost the hopes and dreams of kids who don't know any better. But on the rare occasion, those wishes are heard – and this time, they made my dream come true with you.

[getyouraoion]

Another drabble for @riseofthephoenixfallofdestiny who needs all the smiles and deserves every one of them. <3 And requested I write this one- though neither of us had any idea how long it’d be XD It was so much fun, tho! owo

~Aster and Aoi have been dating for well over a year now, even moving in together shortly after her graduation. He’s even starting to open up some, which thrills the charmer duelist... But it also opens up the possibility for all kinds of nasty surprises, including one with ties to Aster’s past.

Warnings for kidnapping and death mentions.

Part 1 of 2.

“It's a party in Domino to celebrate the new season.”

“...Pros have seasons?”

“Even we need breaks, Aoi. Come with me?”

In hindsight, she probably should've said no.

For the billionth time, Aoi fluffed her bangs, much to her boyfriend's amusement beside her. “You hush. I've never been in t' a party like this before,” she argued upon catching a glimpse of his grin from the corner of her eye. Honestly, she'd have yanked on his tie and dragged him home an hour ago... If not for the fact he enjoyed it when she took control and they'd likely end up vanishing to a side room for reasons other than leaving. “I don't want t' embarrass you, you know that.”

Aster simply shrugged, though his grin grew wider with the movement. “Aoi, dear, you could never embarrass me. You could stop fluffing your hair like a preening bird-”

“And you could remember I know how y' love your tie pulled.”

His cheeks flushed a pale shade of red, drawing a grin to her lips. If there was one way to counter Aster's horrible teasing, it was to remind him she knew his weaknesses, and how willing she was to use them against him. Maybe not in public, but it was enough, the pro lifting a fist to his lips to cover a cough. “All right, I'll concede this round to you. I wouldn't get used to it, you know-”

Grin fading into a soft smile, she leaned over and rocked onto her toes, a delicate hand laying itself on his chest seconds before their lips connected for but a second. Like always, the tender kiss sent a shiver down her spine, only amplified with knowing that for the first time, he'd been dropping his guard in public and letting the world – or at least those at the party – know the great Aster Phoenix was a man off the dating 'market'. And to have his hands automatically migrate to her waist, hold gentle and full of affection, added a second shudder and a smile to his own lips.

“I won't get used to winning,” she whispered, sliding her hand up to cup his cheek, “but I'll always love the 'war'. After all, I love you- how could I not love the battles we share?”

He chuckled, the sound full of fondness and amusement, and pecked in another kiss to the tip of her nose. “I'll remind you of that the next time you complain about my smirk.”

“You smirked 'cause I almost lost Hiita.”

“Again. I should tape your deck to your hands.”

Aoi huffed, pulling back from his hold, though her smile never faded. Was it her fault the wind loved to snatch her fire charmer from her hands whenever it got? Granted, it had been how they'd met and- “You know, I just thought of th' irony? We have a pretty heated relationship, yeah?”

“Your temper is part of it-”

“And so is how y' act in bed.”

The tease forced his parted lips back together, blue eyes flashing with a mixture of a promise to get her back for it, and a reminder that he held enough of her secrets to thoroughly embarrass her if she continued on that particular topic. “But think about it. Which charmer did y' catch three years ago?”

“Hii-” Aster paused, then laughed, remembering the wind carrying the card to him outside of Duel Academy's front doors. Back then, he'd been posing as a new student, there under Sartorious's orders – though he'd never expected it to bring him the raven before him. “I'll give you that, too. A glimpse of destiny perhaps?”

She laughed, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Mhm- Maybe Hiita knows us better than we do... Though that I won't push. Jay can see spirits, an' if one of us starts I'm blaming him.”

“Agreed.” Both pro and raven let a brief frown pull at their lips; neither could stand the distance that kept them from their friend, least of all Aoi. Along with Aster and their mutual friends Chazz and Whisper, Jaden had been her closest friend since she'd arrived at the academy four and a half years prior. Though she talked to him on a nearly daily basis, be it by letters, phone calls, or emails, she still missed her 'pup'  immensely.

Taking note of her switch in mood, Aster brushed his fingers over her cheek, the gentle touch bringing back her smile. “Would you like a drink, dear? The refreshments table is clear- I may not get swamped by fans this time.”

She couldn't help but giggle; the moment they'd arrived, they'd nearly been tackled into the mud caused by the day's earlier rains, nearly everyone who didn't see him on a regular basis and fans new to the pro circuit determined to get an autograph... Or a touch, despite him announcing he was there with a date. “If you d' get swamped again, just yell 'hey look over there' and take off. Always work f' me.”

“And that is why you're here,” he joked, taking her hand long enough to kiss her knuckles. “I'll return shortly. Don't stray far.”

“I couldn't stray at all. You'd be lost without me.” But the tease fell on deaf ears, the silver-haired pro out of earshot before the words even left her lips. The moment he was out of sight, she fluffed her bangs again; why had she agreed to this? Being beside Aster always made her feel safe – she knew nothing could hurt her so long as he was there, something he'd proven rather often in the years since they'd met. Like Jaden, he'd protected her from Sartorious, Yubel, and all manner of nasty opponents, as well as teachers determined to see her either fail or end up in detention for years past her graduation date. Having her boyfriend nearby was a definite source of comfort.

But being alone in a party for the pro circuit, especially one as packed with people as this, was nerve-wracking. Ignoring the fact she was working at a ranking in the rookie leagues and spent just as much time making clothing for Chazz and Aster, and thus would never be on the same level as those in attendance, she was incredibly aware that her relationship left a target on her back. Aster still had enemies, even without The D and Sartorious in the picture, and even she knew they'd do anything it took to get at him – she didn't need to be a genius to figure it out. So long as he was a world-famous pro with the incredible skills to match, anyone close to him would be something to be used. Still, she wasn't too worried; he wasn't that far away, and she doubted anyone would try anything, squirming out of the people crowding around for a distant glimpse of her lover in favor or checking out a large, leafy houseplant. Unlike the rest of the crowd, she knew exactly how his backside looked in those pants; she'd made them for him, and spent more than enough time staring at it herself – especially when he seemed to realize she loved how good he looked in them and took to wandering about shirtless for much of the morning. Those were the time she both loved and hated moving in with him a month earlier, fingertips trailing over an oversized leaf. Maybe he'd know what kind of plant this was? A corcus? Ficus? No, those were trees, weren't they? Maybe a bush... Bluebe- Nah, that made no sense-

She'd barely had time to think of the word 'avocado' before someone had their arm around her waist, pressing a rag against her nose and mouth. Behind her, various chatter and 'Ooh' and 'ahh's rose from the crowd, likely a product of Aster sharing the results of his last duel.. Or was it the last time he'd gone snowboarding? Whatever it was, it was enough to drown out her muffled screams, trying to ignore the sweet smell from the rag and attempts to elbow the form dragging her to the corner. Why wasn't anyone looking?

Slowly, the world around her started to spin, her attempts to fight missing more than they connected. The wind hit her skin before she could even realize they were on the back patio... And within minutes, she could barely keep her eyes open, fighting the urge to sleep until it claimed her.

“You just don't know how to wake up, do you?”

A soft groan worked its way free, Aoi wriggling a bit to try and get comfortable. A comfortable that ended with a shove of her head to the side, drawing her attention to the dull headache throbbing in her skull; when had that happened? And why wasn't Aster waking her like he normally did, with a gentle nudge and a combination of a kiss and a tease, lest she be late for breakfast?

Because the one waking her wasn't Aster, she realized, slowly blinking green-blue eyes open to meet vibrant emerald green rather than the wonderful blue of her boyfriend. Whoever this was, just being close to him left her stomach in a knot and her shell rising nearly immediately, the raven trying to squirm backwards into the wall she'd been propped against. “Where's Aster?”

“Clueless.” The man before her chuckled, rocking back onto his heels and standing to his full height. Even having him out of her face didn't help the knot in her stomach; what did he mean by clueless? “And you're my ticket to getting back at him. Consider yourself lucky – As long as you're useful to me, I can't just kill you.”

Kill? That was one word that made the knot sink into her gut; she'd effectively 'died' once, back when they'd been battling Yubel, and had no intention of finding out what a real, permanent death felt like! “I'm not u-useful to you-” Aoi paused, swallowing hard to rid herself of the waver in her voice. If she wasn't useful, though, did that mean she'd be forfeiting her life? And if she did, would it keep Aster safe? “I'm not useful, and I won't let you at him. I'd sooner let you kill me.”

“Brave words.” He canted his head to the side, slipping his hands into his pockets as he stared down at her. “But I don't need you to grab him. I need you to completely shatter him. After all, he destroyed my mentor... And in D's name I'll destroy him, starting with the one he holds closest to him!”

“The D was a jerk,” she answered automatically, patting down her dress for any signs of tears and damage. When she found none and her deck still in the case strapped to her thigh under the skirt, she heaved a sigh of relief; he'd taken her, but done nothing else. That was enough to turn her attention to the threat at hand: A man who had ties to one she'd only heard about in brief stories, Aster's former legal guardian not someone she wanted to press him on.

Slowly, she eased herself up and off the floor, knees shaking with the effort and head throbbing in protest. Whatever he'd drugged her with had left her feeling oddly heavy and still tired, though the need to protect both herself and a man who'd claimed her heart was something that won out over it all, even if she was nauseous in the midst of adrenaline-fueled bravery. “He was a sick jerk who hurt Aster and tried t' cover it up by taking him in- That' n' mentor, that's a sick, twisted monster! An' y' think I'm gonna hand y' Aster s' you can 'honor' th' guy's memory? Sorry, buddy, you picked the wrong girl to mess with.”

The man shrugged nonchalantly, alerting her to the fact he blocked her escape – she'd literally been dumped into a corner, and the only way out of it was past him. “I don't care what you think, kid. And I don't need you to 'hand' me anything. But I'll give you this much, if you're so eager to play the hero-”

“I'm not. I'm protecting someone who means everything t' me. But since your mentor was a criminal and you're clearly followin' in his footsteps, I shouldn't expect y' to understand.”

“Sassy. I can see why he likes you. Too bad I don't care.”

That one actually stung, her gaze moving past him at the pair of duel disks on a table across the spacious room. “...A duel?”

“Mm. You must duel, if he likes you. I'll give you this, then: We duel. If you win, I'll let you go free. Simple as that.”

“...Doesn't sound simple. And if I lose?”

“You stay.”

“Still doesn't sound simple. What's th' catch?”

He stepped aside then, unblocking the rest of the table from her line of sight. The collars sitting beside the disks made her shudder; it was hard not to recognize the shock equipment Zane had gotten addicted to and even demonstrated for them in a match against Syrus. “You wear that. Win or lose, you're not leaving here.”

A part of her wanted to chirp she'd just not take damage then, but even she knew that was impossible. She was no pro; taking no damage for the entirety of a duel was something any of her friends could do, but not her charmers – No matter what she did, an attack on her would be inevitable. But at least she had the advantage of being a healthy teen... Her body could take a little shock, right? “...Fine. But if I win you turn yourself in f' this and never bother Aster again.”

“Deal, kid. Now pick your disk and duel.”

Aster Phoenix was livid.

Or at least, livid was the word whispered around the party, the wide berth around him ensuring nobody else got caught up in his search for his missing girlfriend. He'd not seen hide nor hair of her in over an hour, not since he'd left to get them drinks from a refreshment table.. That had oddly been out of of refreshments.

At the time, he'd thought nothing of it and entertained the growing crowd around him with stories of his latest conquests, ignoring any questions he got about his private life, per the norm. What he did at home was his own business, though he had rather happily talked about his suit for several minutes when requested to – he wasn't about to squash Aoi's chances at getting clients for her clothing line by keeping her talents to himself. There being no punch was odd, but otherwise, things had progressed the way they always had.

Until he'd returned to the plant he'd left her at, that was, finding nothing but... Well, plant. A bit of questioning told him she wasn't in the bathroom, nor had she gone outside... And it was then the glasses had dropped from his hands, shattering on the polished marble floor. If there was one thing he knew about Aoi, it was that she wouldn't just up and leave him alone without a word.

His hands balled up into fists at his sides, short cut nails digging into his palms until he was sure they were cutting through layers of skin. She wouldn't willingly leave him, so how had she vanished? He'd explored nearly every inch of the parts of the mansion guests were allowed to roam, forced back by security when he'd hit those limits. If they wouldn't let him thorough, there was no way they'd have let a stubborn five-foot-three woman through, either; he didn't have to worry about her being elsewhere in the massive building.

He couldn't stand to lose her.

The sudden thought cut through his rage for a brief moment of clarity; had he gotten so dependent on having someone beside him that he'd let himself get so attached? The thought of going back to living alone made him nauseous- at one time, he'd even preferred it over the loud bustle of having anyone aside from his assistant in his home. These days, he'd found himself rather enjoying having someone to share his days with, one hand uncurling from its fist so he could run the pads of his fingers along a seam in his suit's jacket. Someone who owned his heart, made him want to come home and actually relax even on the slowest days.

A sharp, repeating beep cut through the air, drawing his gaze to the screen against a nearby wall. The party's host hastily pressed a few buttons – he'd recognize the small man anywhere – and within seconds, the image had changed from a seasonable pumpkin display... To a smirking man. Well, he could safely say he'd not expected it to be a viewscreen.

“Aster Phoenix is still in attendance, yes?”

Normally, he'd have replied with a snarky comment, nudging through the crowd to put himself up front, within clear view, but this was an occasion he simply couldn't get out much more than a glare. Thankfully, that seemed to be more than enough, the man on the screen chuckling at the sight of him. “There you are. And you look so very happy – Did you find her missing?”

The question set his blood boiling; had he been where she'd gone? “Where is she?”

“Safe, for the moment.”

He hated those words.

And Aoi hated pinching collars.

Her captor turned the screen, her own glared pinned first on it, then the man while she tugged at the shock collar fitted to her neck. It was her own fault for agreeing to it, she supposed, giving the metal another sharp yank, watching the man put on his own. “You didn't actually call Aster, did y'?”

“Aoi!”

He had, Aster's voice coming from the relatively small screen easing her fears some and ceasing her tugging. Without a thought to what her captor could do, she darted closer to the screen, leaning against her hands on the table and willing a soft smile to her lips. “Aster... I'm okay. I promise y' I'm okay. Don't worry so much.”

His lips quirked into a grin, though she couldn't find any trace of the usual light in his eyes that came with it. She was so used to the vibrant blues sparkling in delight every time he smiled, so much so that she was less afraid of his temper, and more so that he'd finally lost that sparkle after everything he'd lived through. “I'm coming for you.”

“As much as I love hearin' that, no. You're not.”

“Don't fight me on this, Aoi. I'm coming.”

“And if you come this guy's gonna have what he wants. Stay. There.”

“I won't let him have you!”

“He already has me! An' I'm not gonna let him have y' too!”

“Aoi-”

“Stop. There's a chance I can get my freedom and keep you safe by dueling him. Stay at the party and I'll be home soon.”

“This isn't home.” He crossed his arms over his chest, giving her a pointed stare. “And I'm not about to listen to the argument of a stubborn fool wearing- … Take it off this instant.”

Aoi tugged at the collar, willing a smile to her lips. “This? Can't.”

“And why not?”

“...It's a little locked in place an' the key's on the ceiling.”

“Why is it on the ceiling?”

“Because you're dating a fool t' focused on making sure you're safe an' doesn't care about herself.”

“Sounds accurate,” he muttered, shrugging slightly, though she couldn't find a trace of insult in his voice, just a familiar tease. “You never did think about yourself.”

“Exactly. So stay there?”

“No.”

Her shoulders slumped, head hanging. Why was he so stubborn? Maybe that was what'd brought them together, but for the moment it was also a trait they shared that she couldn't quite deal with. “Please, Aster. I promise I'll be fine. Stay there an' I'll see you at home, okay? Don't risk yourself by comin' here. I refuse t' lose you.” That said, she pulled away from the screen, hiking up her skirt just enough to take her deck from the hidden case on her thigh and slip it into the duel disk on her arm. “I won't lose you. Get yourself ready, 'cause I'm doin' this one for him!”

The man smirked, the disk on his arm shifting into place along with hers. He seemed more at home in the collar than she felt in her dress, wishing she'd been able to wear jeans for the catered affair. It'd certainly be easier to duel in, too, waiting for his nod of approval for her to go first to draw her opening hand. At least her deck hadn't let her down; she'd already drawn her wind charmer and the familiar-possessed form of the earth, along with one each of her fire and light monsters. At the rate she was going, she'd be able to keep this duel going in her favor without issue!

Yet playing Alexandrite Dragon wouldn't do her any favors just yet, despite having a high attack. Without any clue to what he had in his hand, her best bet was to play it safe and place down her fire monster, instead, smiling at the sight of the small of appearing on the field before her. “Then I'm gonna start with m' Fox Fire- Don't underestimate th' little guy, now. He's coming with two face downs-” a pause to add them to the field, “but he's pretty fierce all his own.” Even if his small attack wouldn't get her far, at least she could use him for a shield, mumbling her apologies to the fox under her breath.

“How cute. A pile of ash.” Her captor chuckled, the sound sending a chill through her, much unlike the warmth of Aster's. She didn't doubt he had something planned... Something that turned out to be an ice barrier monster, their strategist, if she remembered right, quickly summoned and staring down her fox. “Look at it cower and tremble in fear. Why don't you join it?!”

Her Fox Fire had barely been destroyed before the collar activated, the sparks of electricity coursing through her body far stronger than she'd initially considered and drawing a sharp cry from her lips. If that was what taking over a thousand points of damage did, she was ready to clock out, go home, and hide in bed until the world came to an end, stray jolts still making her fingers twitch long after the shock had finished. It was all she could do to slip her card into the graveyard, then remove it again, placing it right back where it was. “A-And you don't know 'bout my fox, clearly. I can bring him back at the end of a t-turn he's been destroyed on. I've got myself a really loyal fluffball, h-huh?”

And she'd need it, she realized, suddenly feeling far smaller than even a mouse. How.. Was she supposed to protect Aster if she was already losing?

Footprints in the mud.

Tire tracks leading away from the mansion.

A dropped handbag he'd recognize anywhere.

By the time she'd lost more than half of her life points, Aster had seen enough. Coupled with the viewscreen suddenly dying and no way to get the feed back, the pro had fled from the mansion, adjusting his tie and putting in a phone call for a helicopter with the clues he'd found. The surrounding area was still muddy enough that he could follow the tracks, and above all else, he was ready to knock someone's head off their shoulders. The moment he found them... The kidnapper wasn't the only one who had it coming to them.

How dare she tell him not to follow? Didn't she realize how dangerous this was? He knew all too well how much she loved to have fun and slack off, even if she had grown up quite a bit in recent years. Her life was no game-

Aster stopped, rubbing at his eyes with the heels of his palms. He knew better; the girl he'd fallen for wasn't that clueless, and thinking of her such, even out of anger, wasn't going to get him far, nor was it right. She was just as protective as he was, if not more so, going as far as to tailor her deck to reflect a self-imposed role as Jaden's guardian after seeing his heartache and pain after their return from the alternate dimension. That had been over a friend... And now she was trying to sacrifice herself to keep him safe.

She knew exactly what she was doing, and it was making him sick to his stomach to know that by the end of the night, he could be going home without her.

He'd been used and left behind so much, he'd kept his heart off limits to anyone and everyone. Everyone, that was, except for the sweetly smiling girl the wind had brought to him on a crisp, clear autumn day. Even when he'd been against her, she'd forgiven him. Introduced him to a world of peace he'd never before known. Took every loss he'd handed her, both in duels and in their typical playful 'fights', with a smile so vibrant he wasn't sure how to make heads or tails of it. She'd taken his entire world and turned it on its head faster than he could blink.

It'd taken until almost graduation for him to admit aloud exactly what she meant to him. For months, she'd been contently and happily telling him how much she loved him, splitting her time between staying with Jaden and with him on his yacht whenever he was at the academy. Having her nearby had always been a blessing; with her the nightmares weren't as bad, and he'd never quite gotten enough of her sleeping with her head on his chest. Having her on the yacht was... Honestly, it was like being home, something he'd not had since before he'd lost his father. And no more than two months before graduation, he'd managed to get out the words 'I love you'... And not stopped saying them since.

He couldn't go home without her. To lose her would be to lose the last chance he'd had at being happy – she'd shown him an entirely new world. How was he supposed to find it again without her? How could he find his way back out of that darkness without her to guide him again? No, he was going after her, whether she wanted him to or not. His mind was made up.

He'd not be alone again.

And neither would she.