#and then someone mishearing my name as jack

[nbstevonnie]

someone refers to me with he/him: sure 👍

someone talks about me like i'm actually a guy: what the fukc

[spencerspecifics]

Okay i got this idea while talking to @criminalmindsvibez earlier and I just h a d to write it out

Imagine: the team taking one of those “teamwork building” days during the fall and Hotch has no clue what the team could do together to build their teamwork morale because they’ve literally had to save each other from murderers in a time sensitive manner so like??? Wtf are they supposed to do? Solve a jigsaw puzzle? So Garcia gets the task of figuring out what to do and she decides pumpkin patch/corn maze because fuck it. It’s fall.

-they get to the pumpkin patch, immediately Rossi is like “I don’t need to buy a pumpkin. It’ll end up rotting on my doorstep”

- Garcia points out that doesn’t help the team morale so he better quiet down

-he shuts up, they get inside the farm area and the entire team is just sorta standing around cuz when is the last time any of them went to a patch??? They aren’t sure of where to start. There’s stands that sell apple cider and hot coco and kettle corn and there’s some hinky dinky country music playing in the background. It’s nice but they have no clue where to start

-Garcia decides to take over, because fuck it, she got put in charge of this, and Hotchner looks like a fish out of water. Put him in a beauracratic setting and the man knows how to operate, but this? He looks so lost, it’s almost funny. Garcia’ll command this group of idiot life savers.

- she decides the team should start in the corn maze, that sorta helps the team morale. They gotta find a way to get out, after all. Spencer doesn’t want to go in until he sees a map of it, though, so he can check where they are. So they have to awkwardly go to an employee and ask where the map of the corn maze is located

-Derek finds it in a pamphlet that the employee handed to him, he gave it over to Spencer, who gladly accepts it and stares at it for what feels like two seconds before being like “ok let’s go”

-even though finding that damn map took like ten minutes because the pumpkin patch has so many customers so employees are all over the place. So everyone is like “goddamnit dude” at spencer before moving ahead into the maze

- Derek and Garcia take the lead, Spencer in the middle, then J.J. and Emily towards the back, with Hotch and Rossi in the very back.

-Hotch doesn’t wanna have to take charge of how to get through the maze unless absolutely necessary

-J.J. and Emily just end up having some very much needed girl talk while Garcia and Derek bicker about which way to go

- “Get a babysitter so we can have a girls night” “I’ll do that when you call that hot british dude that you met at the bar last week back” “I don’t need him. I have Sergio.” “Cats don’t replace real relationships with people, emily.”

-meanwhile Derek and Garcia aren’t sure which way to go. “Let’s take a left.” “No, we just went that way. We should take a right.” “That just keeps us in the middle, doll ” “isn’t that what we want?!”

-Meanwhile, the entire time, Spencer has been thinking of the turns and loops and steps they’ve taken and calculated exactly where within the maze they are based on the map

-Eventually Spencer takes charge, after Derek made them take two dead end turns, “Guys- no, we’re towards the edge of the maze. The quickest way to the end is through the center, so we need to go back and take two rights, then a left.”

-Hotch and Rossi are just walking through in silence for the most part, taking in the scenery around them. The crisp autumn air, it’s nice. They do break their silence for conversations. They speak about Jack’s upcoming soccer game, and how tiring it can be to work with children.

- “I’ve never been more grateful that my three ex wives and I never ended up with kids- god, it’s enough going to see Jack’s stuff and help coach the team.” “You have no obligation to show up if you don’t want to, Dave. If it’s too much I understand.” “Aaron, I would rather get arrested for a murder I didn’t commit and convicted before leaving Jack’s games.”

-Garcia ends up falling back with the girls, where the conversation shifts to Prentiss talking about how much the corn maze reminds her of the children of the corn movie

-“ew! Why did you have to say that! All their parents end up dead! That’s so sad!” “Garcia, it’s the corn that reminds me of the movie” “Well duh- we’re in a cornfield! But don’t think about that movie. Think about something nicer.”

-Prentiss is drawing a blank on nice fall themed things, so J.J. pipes up with “what about that Charlie Brown movie?” Garcia points out that doesn’t take place in a corn field

-“well. Only corn field movie that’s coming to mind is children of the corn.” So emily continues to talk a bit about it to J.J., all while making Garcia want to run away because “Ew no it’s such a sad movie! Let’s talk about something nicer!”

-Meanwhile Derek and Spencer are solely up front, Spencer is using that big dumptruck of a brain of his to know exactly which turns to take. Derek’s just walking alongside him, trying to weasel from flirting into conversation casually

-“how about after this I get you some cider, pretty boy?” “Do you know cider on average has to ferment for fifteen days?” Spencer isn’t really listening, if that isn’t already obvious. He heard what Derek said, but he’s just thinking of every next twist and turn they have to take to get out. So he isn’t very conversative

-meanwhile the girls have changed conversation topics to what kind of pumpkins J.J. should get Henry (this conversation change was obviously brought on by Garcia) “you should get him a cute tiny one! That would be so adorable” emily on the other hand is saying to get one bigger than him “wouldn’t it be funny to have a pumpkin taller than henry?”

-J.J. doesn’t know which size pumpkin she’ll get for Henry. But she lets emily and Garcia sway her opinion in both directions, because a comically large pumpkin would be funny. But one as small as Henry would be adorable

-meanwhile the old men duo in the back are still just enjoying their walk. Hotch had mentioned how Jack would’ve loved to come to the patch, before silence fell over them again. Rossi asked a few moments later if Hotch knows if jack’s school would be taking a field trip to the patch, “I’m not sure. I’m assuming they will.” Rossi doesn’t say anything more, but he secretly plans on double checking that, emailing the school, and explaining that he and Hotch would like to be volunteers on the trip. He’d like to see that happen.

-Derek hasn’t fully given up on his flirting game with Spencer. But he’s holding off for now, as Spencer is way too focused on the maze layout. So much so that he started mapping out in his mind where the best spot to place a body would be as an unsub. “If someone was to drop a body in here- the ideal location would be the upper left sides second dead end. Geographically, it’s the farthest point from landmarks and least traveled area within the maze.”

-Garcia hears that and butts in, “No murder talk! No dead body talk- there is no dead body! Today is supposed to be a good day! Shut off your brain for one day, Spencer”

-Spencer doesn’t say anything more about the best spot within the maze to dump a body, though Derek is sure Spencer is bored and thinking out a billion separate scenarios within the maze. Mazes were good for hiding and concealing things, after all

-Garcia accidentally mishears Spencer’s directions of “turn left” and she walks directly into the wall of corn that the maze is made out of

-the team all stops for a second to help her untangle herself out of that before promptly laughing at her

-ok Derek and emily laugh the most, emily tells her to steal an ear of corn “It’s not like they’d miss it. It could be compensation for running into it”. J.J. and Spencer sorta stand there chuckling a lil bit, Hotch and Rossi are more like “as long as you’re all good we should continue on” but they had little smiles on their faces too

-They finally get out! The employees at the exit are like “good job, that was very fast!” And everyone on the team is like “thanks we tried” meanwhile Spencer is standing there thinking “no y’all didn’t I did it cuz I memorized the maze smh”

-the team stays as a unit after that. It wasn’t on purpose, but they all had the same thing in mind, the pumpkin patch

-they walk over there, it’s not too far, immediately Spencer makes his way over to the large containers of pre-picked pumpkins, gourds, thise tiny as hell pumpkins, those white pumpkins, and those red pumpkins. He’s one second away from grabbing a pumpkin at random from the container so he can grab a pumpkin and go, when Derek is like “Hey man what are you doing? You’re not picking from the patch”

-Spencer then has to awkwardly explain how the only times he ever went to the pumpkin patch was in elementary school before he skipped ahead grade wise and the kids in his class made fun of him that day really bad. Like they called him names and left him “trapped” in the corn field (tho he had seen a map and was able to figure his way out easily that time.) and so whenever he has to buy a pumpkin he just gets them from the grocery store because he gets anxious at the thought of coming to a pumpkin patch

-immediately the entire team is like “wtf man you should’ve told us!!! Do you want to leave??? We should leave” and Garcia is immediately like “Spencer I am so sorry oh my god I didn’t know” and he has to sorta awkwardly be like “No it’s ok. I wanted to come. I want to try and get a better memory than last time.”

-Derek pats him on the back for that, “You’ll get much better memories this time, I promise. But let’s get a pumpkin from the actual patch instead of from these containers”

- Derek makes it his soul mission to make sure spencer now has an amazing time in the pumpkin patch. So he stays with him the entire time as they walk around, inspecting pumpkins for just the right one

-meanwhile the girls are looking at the biggest pumpkins possible. Namely Prentiss, she wants to get a big one. “Can you even out that out front of your apartment door?” “I don’t know but I’ll make sure it stays until it rots”

-Hotchner is busy looking for a pumpkin he could bring home for jack to carve, though he does guess that jack would be making his way to the pumpkin patch with his class too. It couldn’t hurt to have a third pumpkin to carve.

-Rossi doesn’t want a pumpkin, he’s already decided that they’re messy and smelly and he doesn’t even like pumpkin seeds or pumpkin pie enough to warrant the mess of cutting and getting the pumpkin guts out. So he just stands and watches

-Garcia notices that immediately and is so not happy with that “you’re serious about not getting a pumpkin?” “I told ya” “ughhh Rossi- you could get a tiny one!” “I don’t wanna carve and deal with a mess” “you don’t have to carve a tiny one!”

-“what’re you thinking pretty boy?” Derek asked Spencer, who had been staring down the same pumpkin for like two minutes, which was definitely unusual. Spencer doesn’t answer, leaning down and picking the pumpkin up instead. “Does it have any abrasions on it?” He asked Derek, as he turns it over in his hands to inspect it. “Not that I can see, no”

-Spencer decides on this pumpkin, and they find some wheelbarrows provided by the farm to put his pumpkin in, they give Hotch the duty of rolling the wheelbarrow around as they meander away from the rest of the group

-Spencer then is like “oh shit. Wait Derek. Your pumpkin. We need to find you one.” Derek just laughs a little bit and is like “I’ll find one lol but you gotta come with me” so Spencer agrees as they go to find one for Derek

-Garcia ends up nearby the tiny pumpkins, deciding to buy at least three to litter her front doorstep with

-she is so distracted she doesn’t even realize rossi making his way over. “You’re right. Those ones are way too small to carve.” He says, she just agrees, “Yes, so you should get some!! C’mon. Get that festive spirit.”

-Hotch shows up pushing the wheelbarrow from behind, listening to the tail end of rossi and Garcia’s bickering match. “You should get some, Dave. It would look nice.”

-That makes rossi cave. He mumbles out a “fine. The things I do for you all, I swear” before picking two up and putting them in the wheelbarrow, next to Spencer’s pumpkin.

-Garcia is b e a m I n g she is very happy with the fact she got this fall grinch into getting a pumpkin. So much so that she ends up getting a fourth tiny one, because damnit they’re too adorable.

-Hotchner still hasn’t found a pumpkin for him and for jack so he’s standing in the patch, still surveying like a lost old man. Garcia and Rossi end up helping him.

-Meanwhile J.J. and emily are looking through the medium sized pumpkins to find something for will and Henry. “I’m thinking a medium sized one, because then it’s sort of a mix of what you and Garcia said.” J.J. explained to Prentiss, who nodded along in agreement.

-the team is all pretty quiet at this point as they try to find their own pumpkins. Derek finds his, a large one that’s very vertically elongated. He takes it back to the wheelbarrow, with Spencer trailing along behind him.

-Hotch finds two round, smaller sized pumpkins. And he decides that those are his, they look great and would be easy enough to carve, so he grabs them up, getting them back into the wheelbarrow

-J.J. finds a medium sized pumpkin for Henry, and two smaller ones for her and will. Meanwhile Prentiss is like “Hey Jayge that Charlie Brown movie is applicable now since we’re in a pumpkin patch” Garcia hears that and is like “y e s good fall vibes yes”

-they finish up in the patch, everyone putting their pumpkins into the wheelbarrow as they head towards the checkout

-Derek pays for Spencer’s pumpkin, saying it’s not a problem

-Spencer literally can’t stop blushing at that even tho it’s the most mundane thing e v e r and it’s adorable

-the team gets their pumpkins sorted and paid, before taking the wheelbarrow back towards the stands that sell cider and hot coco and kettle corn.

-the girls go off to get hot chocolate, Dave and Rossi go to get some bags of kettle corn, and Derek and Spencer go get cider

-“If you make hot coco with anything but milk, it’s evil” “emily what about lactose intolerant people who use water?” “They’re on thin ice.”

-Spencer thanks Derek like five times in a row for helping him get a pumpkin and buying it “you didn’t have to-“ “you better stop talking before I buy you a cider too, pretty boy”

-Derek does buy him a cider in the end, which isn’t any surprise

-Dave and Hotch argue over which type of kettle corn is the best. “It’s caramel, Aaron. Why on earth would cheddar kettle corn be good?” “It’s savory as opposed to sweet, it’s better” “That doesn’t matter if it tastes bad!”

-Garcia ends up coaxing the hot coco barista lady into adding a shit ton of extra chocolate sauce and stuff to her drink

-so much so that it’s literally too sweet for her but she dug her grave she will fuckin lie in it like a winner

-J.J. and emily immediately make fun of her, “I can see the regret in your eyes!”

-the team finishes up buying their drinks, pushing the wheelbarrow out to the parking lot.

-“See, not so bad for a team morale building day after all!” Garcia says happily, she’s glad her idea was a success

-it was. The team is happy, they got hot sweet drinks and bags of delicious food, not to mention a shit ton of pumpkins they shove into the trunk of the SUV

-Spencer’s happy he made new memories at the pumpkin patch, Derek was just happy to help build those for him.

-Garcia’s happy her day went so well, emily is glad she got a pumpkin to carve, J.J.’s happy she got good pumpkins for will and Henry, Hotch is happy that he’s not stuck in a stuffy office building in an uncomfortable suit talking about another murder investigation, and Rossi is happy to be with his found family on a day out

-it was a good day at the pumpkin patch :)

[sydswritings]

APMA’s - Part 1 (Chapter 27)

Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was probably one of the most beautiful buildings I had ever seen, but finally being inside and feeling the cool air conditioned air caress my heated skin was heaven on earth. The girls and I followed the guys as they made their way to the massive hall that would be holding the actual ceremony. Thirty tables, 15 on each side, lined the floor that was surrounded by levels of seats, where fans could view the awards. The front held the massive stage where all the bands would perform and the presenters would announce who won what.

    “I need a drink,” I announced after sitting at our designated table. The nerves were hitting full force and I needed something that would calm them.

    “It’s 5 Syd, maybe you should hold off,” Charlie laughed out, “at least until the show starts.”

It took everything in me not to flip her the bird as my leg bounced up and down. My nerves were shot and each passing second had my anxiety ratcheting up another notch. I watched as Andy and Juliet headed down the walkway separating the two rows of tables, taking a seat at the table directly across from us. From the corner of my eye I saw MGK collapsing at the table to our right with the rest of his group, followed by Papa Roach and his friends, all loud and slightly intoxicated. Why was I not with them?

Then I saw him cross in front of me and my breath froze in my lungs. The girls and Jared had done a great job of keeping him out of my line of sight the whole red carpet, but now? Now he was walking in front of me looking perfect. Shannon’s 5’9 frame was covered in a soft dark grey v-neck t-shirt with a black blazer rolled to his elbows. His legs enclosed in a pair of light blue ripped jeans and his favorite black shoes. The only blight on his appearance was the gorgeous brunette attached to his arm. She was stunning in her black dress and exoctic features that screamed Russian model. They looked flawless together and I wanted to throw something.

    “Fuck it,” I breathed out, “I’m getting a drink.” I announced louder before standing up.

My abrupt movement caught Shannon’s eye making him stop his trek to the table to the left of ours.

    “Sydney,” his voice was low, almost a whisper, before he cleared it and moved to stand in front of me, “you look beautiful tonight.”

    “I-umm,” I started my voice cracking and stuttering before I backed away from him and his girlfriend, “excuse me.”

I’m sure I looked crazy or at the very least rude as fuck, but there was no way I could stand there and talk to him like nothing had happened. Finally, I stepped up to the bar ordering the strongest Jack & Coke I could, before leaning against the wood to wait for my drink.

    “Drinking alone?” A familiar male voice asked. I cut my eyes down the bar meeting Kelly’s too blue gaze.

    “Stalker much?” I retorted before the bartender handed me my drink.

    “Oh come on,” he defended, starting his way down the bar to stand in front of me, “that was just rude, it’s a public area with alcohol.”

    “You’re right, that was mean.” His boyish grin had me smiling back up at him, god this man was tall. “I apologize, it’s not been the best beginning to the night.”

    “I’ll forgive you if you agree to let me buy you a drink at the after party.” His silver fangs glinted from the lights above and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

    “Hmmm,” I pretended to think on it for a moment before clinking my glass against his, “deal.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I felt eyes on me, from honestly every direction, as Kelly escorted me back to my table. After thanking him, I finally sat down facing the girls. Their expressions ranging from B’s completely open curiosity to Charlie’s eyes rolling so hard I thought they’d fall out of her skull to Ace’s barely disguised disgust.

    “What?” I finally snapped, each of their eyes growing wide at my outburst.

    “Nothing, nothing,” Charlie started, hands raised in defense, “absolutely nothing.”

    “Somehow I don’t believe you.” I sighed out.

Soon the lights faded, thankfully halting any more conversation about me and Kelly. The crowd of fans grew louder as Alex and Jack from All Time Low took the stage, beginning their hosting duties of the night. We laughed and cheered on Tyler Posey’s appearances. We sang and swayed to Chris Carrabba’s acoustic performance of Hands Down, before singing and dancing to the combined performance of Mayday Parade and The Main. My 90’s heart skyrocketed when Stephan James of 3rd Eye Blind joined the stage and started singing Jumper. The girls laughed at my enthusiasm as I sang at the top of my lungs, letting the tension of the last month leave my frame, to hell with all this drama. I was going to drink, have fun and enjoy the outcomes of the awards, consequences be damned.

Jack and Alex took to the stage once again, announcing Savannah, Oliver and Masato, three lead singers who were presenting the award for Best Vocalist. I felt myself move to the edge of my seat as I watched the nominees flash across the screen, joining the screaming fans as Kellin and Patrick’s faces and names joined the rest of the nominees. I glanced around the room, locking eyes with Kellin across the way, his face was lined with stress as we waited for Savannah to open the envelope. I gave him my most encouraging smile before we heard Oliver’s voice ring out over the PA announcing Patrick had won, Kellin grinned wide as we all stood and clapped for our close friend. The night proceeded from there, Yellowcard performed next and watching Vic perform with them was beyond amazing, his grin was infectious and you could tell he was on cloud nine.

After Best International Band was taken by You Me at Six, Spencer from Ice Nine Kills and Matt from From Ashes to New took the stage to announce the winner of Best Bassist. We all turned to B who looked as white as a ghost, which considering how pale she already was, was a feet in and of itself. Ace slid her hand over to grab B’s unoccupied hand as we watched the nominees being announced on the screen.

    “And the winner is,” Spencer started slowly.

    “Skylar Accord, Issues.” Matt finished.

Pete leaned over and kissed the top of B’s head as Ace slung her arm around her slender shoulders.

    “You’ll get it next time B!” Charlie said with a encouraging smile.

    “Guys, really it’s ok. He definitely deserved it. I’m honestly just honored to be nominated.” Brook laughed out.

I laughed with my sister as the waiter rounded our table again and I waved him down, the girls looked at me warily as I ordered my third drink of the night.

    “Dude, it’s a party, I’m going to enjoy my night.” I argued as the waiter left.

    “Just don’t overdue it is all, I know why, but just careful.” Jared countered from between me and Ace.

I rolled my eyes but nodded to appease him. Issues performed next, followed by Stitched Up At Heart presenting Best Live Band which we lost to Neck Deep, but let's be real here, we knew there was no way we were winning against them. Their stage presence was off the wall and we happily cheered as they took the stage to accept their much deserved award. Good Charlotte performed after taking home Classic Album for Young and the Hopeless, which made me feel about 20 x's too old. The next award was for Best Drummer and if I thought Brook was tense about her nomination, it was nothing compared to how Ace looked as her name slid across the screen as Matt from August Burns Red opened the envelope. Sadly it went to CC, but Ace grinned and clapped as we watched him stand from across the walkway and hug Andy.

    “Okay, now I need a drink.” Ace announced as she leaned against Jared.

Her stress of possibly having to walk the stage alone was released as soon as CC’s name rang through the hall.

    “About time!” I yelled, “now I won’t be the only getting ugly looks.”

The girls’ rolled their eyes before ordering their first round and my fourth, soon I was going to lose count. I watched Alex and Jake prepare the stage as Set It Off joined them to announce Best Music Video and I froze in my place, eyes jumping straight to Andy, who’s eyes were already on me. I know it’s awful, but all I could think was ‘please don’t win, please don’t win’ as clips of the nominees’ videos played on the big screen. I blushed as Andy’s video flashed across with a snippet of us rolling around on the hotel bed. Glancing across the room, I caught quite a few people looking between Andy and I, making me want the ground to swallow me whole as I caught Juliet’s murderous gaze. Something about her made the petty side of me rear it’s ugly head, causing me to shrug at her before raising my glass in a mock salute, draining the last of its contents.

Laughter to my right had me briefly looking over to Kelly, who grinned as he watched my little display of bitchiness. He raised his glass before copying my salute, his grin never faltering, at least someone was enjoying my level of pettiness over here.

    “And the winner is Andy Black for Beyond My Reach,” Cody’s voice announced and my head snapped back to the front.

    “Please tell me I misheard him?” I choked out.

    “If you had been paying attention instead of eye flirting with blondie over there,” Ace started sarcastically, “you would know, that no, you didn’t mishear him.”

    “Why is everyone on my case about who I talk to tonight,” I grumbled as I slammed back in my chair.

    “We just think he’s a bad idea Syd.” Charlie joined in.

    “They, they think he’s a bad idea.” Brook chirped, clarifying her stance, “I think you do what you need to do.”

I grinned at my baby sister as Andy started his ‘thank you’ speech, god please don’t thank me. Thankfully he wanted to keep his head tonight cause not one peep was made about me or my involvement in the video and I praised whatever holy being was looking down on me.

Chapter 28

[i-ran-away-without-a-map]

They're always so dramatic about this too. "Deadname" like it's some sort of crime to just mention someone's former name. Like bitch, I have a long history with people just straight up mishearing my name and calling me whatever they got, it's not a big deal. Not to mention, and people who move to English speaking countries and keep their names will mad relate here, there are tons of people, often racists, who refuse to learn how a name is pronounced and will just straight up dub someone "Jack" or whatever. Happened to me a few times lol, and yeah all that can be annoying if it's done maliciously, but it's just that at most: an annoyance. TRAs, as per usual, have this dramatic ass way of making whatever they deem as "their problems" into this big ass deal, when more often than not it's just... not that big of a deal.

This is something I truly struggle to understand, there is no other point to it but vanity and control. Because it's just plainly wrong. It's not "Elliot Page has always been Elliot Page". for 30+ years, it's been Ellen Page. There is nothing wrong with wikipedia stating "Ellen" as the birth name, because it simply the truth. The name Elliot probably was decided upon just a couple years ago, max, being very generous. The news headlines include the "dead name" so that people know who they're even talking about. I know there's something very tempting to trans rights activists about rewriting history, but nothing about this qualm makes logical sense.

[pxiao]

I’m sorry.

Arc-V post canon fic. As Yuya and Yuzu attempt to deal with their new living situation, they find that while everyone tries to get used to it, Yuri alone seems awkward about the entire thing.  Side note I’m sure @justanotherotakuandartist, @jirehthedisciple, @pendulum-sonata @reijiakabutt, @chromsai, @chibicrow and @corxavis would like this

After finally saving the dimensions Yuya and Yuzu first took a break from well ..... everything. Luckily school was willing to give the Lancers a month off for their efforts with Reiji personally saying that Yuzu was a major help in their cause. But while Yuya and Yuzu would have loved to just kick back and watch tv or play a video game, they had to explain their new situation to their friends and family. For Yuzu, it wasn’t too bad as their friends were used to dealing with Yuya having absorbed Yuto. Shuzuo just hugged Yuzu, saying if each of her counterparts were also her then that just meant his treasures increased by three and happily adopted them all. For Yuya it was a bit more awkward while everyone accepted Yuto and Yugo just fine, Yuri was a different matter entirely. A lot of people, Gongenzaka especially felt uncomfortable with the fact that Yuya had to share a body with the kid that tried to card them all and in some cases actually did. But shockingly the Bracelet Girls defended Yuri, even more than Yuri did himself. Yuya noticed that Yuri didn’t really speak when their friends rejected him and even hid away from everyone, Yuya, Yuto and Yugo included. But Yoko and Yusho just laughed it off, Yoko saying she dared Yuri to card her while Yusho just gave a hearty smile and replied if Yuri helped Yuya, then that means he’s willing to change and that’s good enough for him and they happily adopted Yuto, Yugo and Yuri. 

After that interesting discussion, Yuya and Yuzu spent the next few days together with Yuya and Yuto trying to teach Yuzu and her counterparts how to switch control between them as both Yuya and Yuzu felt it wasn’t fair if the rest of the counterparts were stuck as spirits forever. But Yuya and Yuzu weren’t complaining, they just wanted to be with each other as much as possible after they spent so much time apart.  Though the counterparts happily realized that they could see and talk to any of the other counterparts even if they weren’t in control of their respective body with Yuya guessing that was because each of them being in one body, Yuya and Yuzu had the full powers of Zarc and Ray respectively and technically Yuya and his counterparts are duel spirits due to having been Supreme King Dragon Zarc once. Yuya and Yuto was actually shocked and a tiny bit annoyed that Yuzu and her counterparts were able to switch between each other in a much shorter time than they did. They then spent days with one of their counterparts in control as they got used to the new living arrangement. Yuya and Yuzu even set up a planning board for when the counterparts wanted control over the body. To Yuya and Yuzu’s annoyance, none of them were willing to take over during school. But Yuya soon realized despite this, life was a bit interesting to say the least. Yuya always had an argument over what to eat when their mom wasn’t cooking, bathroom trips were much more awkward and nights were harder to deal with as Yuri still enjoyed trolling both Yuto and Yugo, making it hard to fall asleep. Yuya was pretty jealous when he learned Yuzu didn’t have as much trouble but either way the eight of them started their new life. 

But as time progressed, Yuya realized that Yuri didn’t really ever take control of the body. In comparison, Yuto took over once a week and went with Ruri to visit Heartland, their friends and Shun. Yugo took over at least twice a week to build a new D-Wheel with Rin, which Yoko happily helped with. Serena even took over twice a week to visit the other Lancers, Reira and even Yuya himself. The other counterparts noticed that Serena seemed a bit nervous but at the same time a bit excited whenever she visited Yuya and by the time she left, she seemed a bit disappointed. While the other counterparts had guesses, most just decided to not ask her and open that Pandora’s box. 

A week after Yuya and Yuzu started attending school again, Yuya and Yuzu left school planning to go straight home instead of You Show as Yuto and Ruri planned on going a date tomorrow night. As Yuya walked home, he sighed a bit causing Yuzu to look at him with worry.

“What are you sighing about Yuya?” Yuzu asked worried. 

“Oh, it’s Yuri.” Yuya replied. 

“Is he giving you trouble?” Serena wondered. 

“Actually no, the problem is he’s too quiet.” Yuto replied. 

“Speak for yourself, he messes with me every moment he gets” Yugo grumpily answered.

“How so?” Yuzu asked. 

“He keeps calling me Fusion!!!” Yugo roared. 

“You idiot, he’s just doing it to get a rise out of you. Stop reacting and he’ll stop.” Rin exclaimed. 

“But RIINNNN!!!!” Yugo whined. 

“Well Yugo is right, Yuri does talk to us just fine.” Yuto reflected. 

“Then why are you sighing Yuya?” Ruri asked. 

“Well he’s just so quiet when around others. Including wait that’s wrong especially around you four.” Yuya stated as he looked at Yuzu, Serena, Rin and Ruri.

“Now that you do mention it, he’s not here right now.... Is it even possible to hide himself.” Yuzu wondered.

“Well before I dueled Jack, I didn’t hear these three so I’m guessing it’s possible.” Yuya said weakly. 

“Well as bad as this sounds isn’t that kinda of a good thing.” Rin said slowly. “I’m not attacking him but lets face it everyone is a bit nervous around Yuri and if he doesn’t like taking over then that would save everyone an awkward situation.” 

“Even if it means he becomes a NEET?” Serena asked causing Yuya and Yuto to frown a bit while Yugo started laughing.

“Yugo, stop laughing this is serious.” Ruri reproached.

“I’d rather not have a fourth of Yuya be a Neet” Yuzu stated.

“So then we have to do something about this then.” Yuya concluded. “But after Yuto and Ruri have their date” Yuya said with a cheeky smile causing both Yuto and Ruri to blush. “And then mine and Yuzu’s date two days after.” Yuya exclaimed as he ran.

“Wait what date?” Yuzu asked. “What Yuya you didn’t just ask me out on own first date like that!!!” Yuzu yelled as Yuya laughed at having annoyed Yuzu. 

“Sooooo Rin since the others are going on dates .... wannaaa” Yugo started. 

“No” Rin quickly shot down. 

“Why?!!” Yugo said nearly crying. 

“You have to be more romantic than that. I don’t want you to follow Yuya’s example on dating.” Rin said with a small blush. 

“RINNNNN!!!” Yugo said with tears of joy in his eyes. 

A day after Yuto and Ruri’s and Yuya and Yuzu’s date, Yuri woke up with a weird sensation .... he felt sensation. After fusing with Yuya, Yuri hadn’t felt anything besides what Yuya was feeling, it was odd at first but he quickly got used to it so feeling the fluffy pillow on his head and the springy mattress under his body was a surprisingly nostalgic feeling.  Yuri quickly ignored his feelings and asked ,“Hey supermarket trio. Why am I in control of the body?”.

“For the last time our hair does not look like food.” Yuto tiredly refuted. 

“Whatever you say eggplant, hey tomato why am in charge?” Yuri calmly asked. 

Yuya just sighed having gotten used to the nickname and replied, “Well the rest of us are tired.” 

“From what? We spent the last month messing around.” Yuri pointed out 

“Well if you weren’t hiding like a baby, you would know we were very busy!!!” Yugo refuted.

“Oh really? What you did do Fusion Banana” Yuri joked. 

“MY NAME ISN’T FU---” Yugo roared. 

“Yugo chill, remember what Rin said.” Yuya cut off Yugo.

“Fine.” Yugo said annoyed. 

“Anyway, well me and Yuto just went on dates with Yuzu and Ruri respectively and ...” Yuya stated. 

“That’s it? So we who have the power of Zarc get mentally exhausted by two dates?” Yuri snarked. 

“Sorry, sorry” Yuto sarcastically replied as he rolled his eyes. 

“Well if we’re tired, lets just sleep.” Yuri calming said as he stated his mind.

“Wait you’re in control and that’s all you want to do?” Yuya asked incredulous.

“What else is there to do? If I duel anyone they have to be at least Jack or Reiji’s level for it to be a challenge.” Yuri arrogantly stated which all the counterparts annoyingly admitted was true.

“But today’s a school day.” Yuya said causing Yuri to glare at him.

“Nope, nope. I am not going to school for you tomato head!” Yuri nearly hissed at Yuya while he glared. 

“It’s not, I was joking.” Yuya quickly said. Yuri quickly checked and saw it was Sunday and just fell back onto the bed. 

“Ok I really am just going to sleep the day away now from that fright.” Yuri shameless said.

“Wow you really are a NEET.” Yugo openly said which caused Yuya to cringe while Yuto facepalmed. 

“Whatever banana head, at least I’m not a masochist like you and Yuya” Yuri replied calmly. 

“What!” Both Yuya and Yugo said in unison.

“Oh come on, your girlfriends hit you.” Yuri accused. 

“Yuri!!!! Someone is here for you!!” Yoko’s oddly energetic voice filled the room.

Yuri looked surprised as he was sure no one would visit him. Any of his other selves sure but not him. He decided to ignore it, seeing it as him mishearing her. As he laid in bed, he heard footsteps thinking it was probably Yoko walking up he turned his head away from the door. After a few moments the foot steps were replaced by knocks on the door. After a few minutes the knocks were replaced by silence as Yuri waited on his bed. And then that silence died when their door was kicked off the wall as Yuri jumped in shock and saw Serena in front of him with her Cat Dancer. 

“You’re going to have to pay for that” Yuri snarked as he pointed to the door flat on the floor.

“And you’re going outside you NEET.” Serena stated as with a cocky smile. 

“Why would I listen to yo--” Yuri started before he saw Serena crack her knuckles.

“Put on your clothes, I’ll be downstairs and your mom is help me, so don’t think about of getting out of this.” Serena stated as she walked out. 

“Just walk into my room and threaten me,  if the genders were flipped this would be sexual harassment.” Yuri mumbled under his breath as he got off his bed.

After a few minutes Yuri got into his new clothes that Yoko and Yusho bought for him and he and Serena took a walk around Maiami City. Together the two of them walked in silence as Yuri looked around his new home. Well if he had to be honest, Academia was never a real home for him just a place he lived at. 

“Lets go sit there.” Serena said as she pointed to a bench in next to a bridge, Yuri just nodded as they walked towards the bench. 

When they sat down, Yuri quickly remarked with a smile, “It only takes a few minutes of walking to make you tired? I mean you four are pretty much muscles heads, I would hope you guys had more stamina.”

Serena quickly lift her arm about to deck him when she heard the voices of her counterparts. 

“Wait don’t! This would just be proving his point!” Ruri tried to argue.

“At least slap him, there are somethings that need to be punished or he’ll think it’s ok for him to say these things to us!” Rin argued for back. 

“Use my Harizen, there is a reason I carry that with us everywhere. Give him a good few slaps!” Yuzu backed Rin, causing Ruri to sweat drop wondering if her counterparts were a bit blood thirsty. Unfortunately this little argument slowed Serena enough that Yuri was able to dodge at the last second with his trademark cocky smile on his face. 

“Too slow.” Yuri mocked.

Serena clenched her teeth before calming down, remembering the reason why she came over. But before she could say anything Yuri quickly said. 

“You seven planned this didn’t you?” Yuri accused.

“What no?” Yuya said as he looked away. 

“Never!” Yugo said as he tried to whistle while Yuto looked at Yuya and Yugo in disbelief.

“So why do you want to meet me? Probably not to duel me, as I would just win.” Yuri said with a cocky smile and this time Serena really did hit him with Yuzu’s harizen while Rin and Yuzu cheered causing Ruri to look at them in disbelief. 

“Damn it! You muscle head, I’m not a masochist like Egao Fetish and Fusion are!” Yuri yelled causing Yuya and Yugo to rage.

“But you’re just as stupid as them! So you need someone to correct your behavior like they do!” Serena argued back while Yuzu and Rin nodded their heads in agreement. All the while Yuto and Ruri just floated next to each other just glad to not be in the middle of the chaos and enjoying each other’s presence. 

“Too late for that” Yuri bitterly replied as he looked away from Serena. 

Serena quickly went silent when she saw how different Yuri just acted.And finally asked her question. “Yuri when we all came back after Yuya and Reiji’s duel, why did you smile?” 

Yuri’s eyes widen in surprise but he quickly calmed down and just asked, “why did you smile back at me then?” 

Serena’s jaw open and closed as she attempted to organize her thoughts before saying, “I was happy.” 

“Well duh.” Yuri mocked with a bored tone and his eyes half closed. 

“I can hit you with my fist this time you know” Serena threatened causing Yuri to shut up. 

“Well each of my counterparts are so close with your counterparts and since we’re fused, I can feel their feelings and I’m .... I’m ... I’m jealous ok!” Serena blurted out. “Growing up I didn’t really have any friends and while the Lancers are my friends now, I don’t have what they have with your counterparts either.” 

“So Miss. Amazon wants to fall in love? Hahahaha” Yuri laughed. Serena was about to deck him before Yuri continued, “you should chose someone better though.”

“What?” Serena said in confusion. 

“While I am a gorgeous badass, I’m also a piece of shit that no one really likes.” Yuri answered with a bitter smile causing Serena to widen her eyes. “In the Academia, while I was one of the strongest students no one really liked me unlike Asuka. And to be honest I can’t blame them, in the end I became a sadistic monster that enjoyed carding people. The only people that can stand me are well me.” Yuri said as he looked at Yuya, Yuto and Yugo. “I smiled when you all came back because I was happy that at least you guys came back. I stole you all from your homes and precious people, at the very least you four were alive. It was a smile of relief that I didn’t mess up that badly at least.” 

“Yuri ...” Serena said attempting to comfort him. 

“So why?” Yuri continued.  “When everyone doubted me, why did you four stand up for? When I kidnapped you! When I carded so many people for fun! When I was a monster even worse than Zarc at his worst!” Yuri screamed when he looked at Serena, Yuzu, Rin and Ruri.

“To be honest, we haven’t fully forgiven you either.” Rin stated still remembering when he cornered her.

“But we all believe in a second chance.” Ruri continued. 

“We know that you were influenced by the Professor and Zarc since youth, so it wasn’t completely your fault either.” Yuzu said with a smile. 

“But I still did them and even enjoyed myself while doing it.” Yuri said as he turned away from their smiles.

“Also because I did the same thing too.” Serena said causing Yuri to look at her in shock. “Yuri you started kidnapping us and carding us because the Professor asked you too right?” 

“Even so, I ..” Yuri tried to rebut. 

“I also carded Hokuto and even tried to card even more people because I wanted the Professor’s approval.” Serena shut him up. “I almost went the down same road as you if Yuzu hadn’t set me straight.” Serena finished as she smiled at Yuzu. “I have no right to call you monster and you just showed, you do regret your actions right?” Serena asked with a smile.

“But ...” Yuri tried to argue.

“And if Leo hadn’t separate us when we were young, maybe we would have been like the others? I don’t know if that is what is going to happen but I do want to try, what about you Yuri?” Serena asked as she stood up and extended her hand towards him. 

Yuri looked around while his face was a red as Yuya’s hair. 

“Oh would you just grab her hand so we don’t have to see this awkward romance!!!!” someone yelled behind the bridge causing Yuri to jump. 

“Sawatari ,you idiot.” Someone with a deep voice said as a loud smack was heard. 

“OWWW, Gongenzaka what would happen if you damaged the Super Ultra strong mega badass cool Neo New Sawatari!” Sawatari yelled in anger. 

“Sigh, everyone come out.” A more cool and collected voice stated causing everyone behind the bridge to walk out.  

Yuri nearly jumped in shock when he saw how many people was behind the stupid bridge. He realize how out of it he was if Reiji, Gongenzaka, Sawatari, Shun, Tsukikage, Sora, Yusho, Yoko, Shuzuo, the three You Show kids, Jack, Crow, his three kids, Shinji, Tokumatsu, Edo, Asuka, Kaito, Gloria, Grace, Himika with Reira in her arms and even the Professor could sneak up on him. Hell Dennis in all his sparkling glory and his students were there!

“Out of question how long were you --- “ Yuri asked mentally begging they weren’t there too long.

“When you mocked Serena’s endurance.” Dennis happily stated causing Yuri to drop his head while mentally swearing revenge on all seven counterparts especially Yuya. 

Yuri was knocked out of his thoughts when Serena hit his back. HARD. 

“Come on everyone is here, don’t you have something to say to them?” Serena prompted him. 

“Maybe later.” Yuri said trying to leave with some pride. 

“Really?” Serena asked causing Yuri to sigh and give up. 

“Everyone, it’s hard to say but..” Yuri started as he started grabbing onto his pants and bowed. “I know I don’t deserve to say this but I’m sorry. I’m sorry for tormenting you all. I stole people you cared about, I tried to card you and in some cases ..... I ... I actually did. I understand if you don’t believe me and still hate me but ... please let me express my regret. I really am sorry and I know nothing I do could every fix what I’ve done. I’m sorry, I’m sorry” Yuri repeated as tears started to fall from his eyes. 

“Please lift your head.” A loud, bombastic voice said. 

Yuri stood up straight and saw Yusho in front of him. Yusho moved his arm and Yuri closed his eyes, only to open them in shock when he felt a hand on his head. 

“But why? I carded you in front of Yuya.” Yuri asked. 

“I’ve already said, if the Academia truly regrets what they have done I would forgive them. And you already showed that you regretted your past mistakes. Yusho replied with a big smile.

“Yusho ....” Yuri said in amazement causing Yusho to stop smiling. Yuri worried if he should have used Yusho-san. 

“Dad.” Yusho blurted out. 

“Huh?” 

“I think you mean dad” Yusho repeated. 

“Da... yes dad.” Yuri said with some effort causing Yusho and Serena to smile.

“Oh you’re so adorable!!!!!” Yoko screamed as she ran and hugged Yuri on the spot. 

“You’re hurting me a bit” Yuri complained. Yoko just looked at Yuri and he quickly added, “mom” with a bit of blush causing Yoko to hug him even tighter before finally letting him go.

“Well if Yusho-san says so, why would I, the man Gongenzaka have any issues.” Gongenzaka said as he gave Yuri a thumbs up. 

“This just means another rival for the legendary Duelist Sawatari to defeat! I welcome the challenge!: Sawatari arrogantly stated. 

“Well like Serena said, we would have also gone on the same path as you did if our friends didn’t smack some sense into us.” Asuka comforted Yuri with a smile on. 

“Well some of us faster than others.” Sora snarked. 

“If the people around me are willing to accept me after leading the destruction of the Xyz Dimension, I see no point in not offering the same response to others.” Edo replied.

“We also carded a bunch of people and enjoyed it, not like we have any reason to mock you.” Gloria said calmly. 

“Besides since you’re one with Yuya, you have the best teacher to learn how to duel properly” Grace added with a smile.

“Indeed, if you are with Yuya, I am confident you can learn the true way to duel.” Tsukikage added calmly.

“When Yugo finally makes that D-Wheel, lets duel! I know that you’re a worthy challenger!” Jack challenged Yuri. 

“Hey don’t leave me behind, I hear you’re one of the strongest duelists between you, Yuya, Yuto and Yugo! I got take you on!” Crow excited added on. 

“Hold on, hold on. Don’t forget me! I’ll beat all of you with my Entertainment dueling. Just cause I’m older doesn’t mean Enjoy Chojiro can’t take you all on!” Tokumatsu excitedly challenged everyone!

“Yuri, I also made a lot of mistakes in my time and that why I know you can try again.” Shinji melancholy said and then with a smile added, “besides I want to see how my Bee Force would deal with your Predator Plants.”

“Yuri” a strong calm voice talked causing Yuri to turn his head to the owner of that voice, Kaito. “It’s true that you have done a lot of horrible things, but I’m sick of being filled with rage. If you want to make a better life, I know you can do it because just like you I have also carded a lot of people and I’m finally at peace again.”

“Besides if Serena, Ruri, Yuto and Yuya are willing to give you a chance, I see no reason to not trust you.” Shun said with a smile. 

“It was partly my fault anyway” Leo started talking causing everyone to look at him. “I took you away from Serena and then set you on that path. To condemn you as a monster? I never had that right.” Leo remorsely said.

“I ordered the Xyz Dimension to be destroyed but here I am happy with my students. So you can definitely have the right to live your life! Right kids!!!!”  Dennis shouted as his students also shouted in agreement.

“We have all made mistakes. As long as you realize them, you can always start over again.” Reiji stated as he walked up to Yuri.

“Besides if you’re also Yuya, Yuto and Yugo then that mean I can entrust Serena to you like I did for Yuzu, Ruri and Rin.” Shuzuo walked up to Yuri in tears and grabbed his hands. 

“Wait ENTRUST!” Serena exploded at Shuzuo before Yuzu took over. 

“I ... I haven’t planned that far DAD!!!” Yuzu also exploded before Rin took over

“Why would you plan to give me to that IDIOT!!!” Rin yelled as she pointed to Yugo. 

“Who are you pointing to?” Shuzuo asking as he couldn’t see Yugo’s astral body. 

“Arrgh!” Rin yelled in annoyance before Ruri took over. 

“Thank you, dad.” Ruri thanked Shuzuo shocking Yuzu, Serena and Rin over how easily she admitted her feelings.

“ahahahaha.” Yuri gave a huge laugh giving everyone a shock. After that huge laugh, Yuri walked to Ruri and asked, “Ruri could you switch with Serena, I have something to ask her.”

“Of course.” Ruri said with a grin.

“Wait, I’m not ready!!!” Serena tried to protest but before she knew it she was in control of the body again. When Yuri opened his mouth she jumped, red in the face. 

“Wait, wait, Marriage is a bit.” Serena frantically replied. 

“Of course. Or did you really I would ask for your hand in marriage? Who would have thought the muscle head’s secret dream is to be a bride.’ Yuri said with a snark. 

Serena calmed down and promised to punch one more time before the end of the day. But was shocked when she saw Yuri put his hand in front of her like Yuya did when Yuzu had finally returned. 

“Like you said, my other selves have close relationships with your other selves and if you’re willing to try, I would love to build a relationship that doesn’t lose to theirs.” Yuri said with a clear smile. 

“Su ... sure.” Serena said as she took his hand with a blush. 

As Yuri and Serena shook hands, the other counterparts look down with smiles. 

“Well glad we fixed that even if it was a pain.” Yuya said with a smile. 

“I’m glad, Serena was a bit depressed there. I guess she really did want to get to know Yuri after all. Yuzu reflected as seeing that Serena had been depressed for the last few days. 

“Also yet?” Yuya said with a smile causing Yuzu to blush hard. “So how far have you thought up Yuzu?” 

“Yuya!!!!” Yuzu screamed as Yuya smiled. 

“Riin. Did you mean that?” Yugo said with tears in his eyes. 

“Yes. But maybe, I mean just maybe if you weren’t such an idiot. I would say yes. This is a big maybe.” Rin said with her head as red as Yuya’s hair. 

“RIIIIN!!!” Yugo screamed as he tried to hug her.

“I’m glad that everyone is happy.” Yuto said with a smile. 

“Everyone’s so cute huh?” Ruri added with a smile. 

“Yeah.” Yuto agreed. 

“Almost as cute as you Yuto.” Ruri said as she launched a sneak attack on him. 

“yyyeah.” Yuto weakly answered as his face was red with a huge smile on face causing Ruri to smile as well. 

As Yuri watched the idiot couples in the sky flirting, he smiled. He reflected that while his life wasn’t how he thought it’s turn out, it wasn’t half bad as he smiled at Serena who gave a warm smile in return.