#but they persist despite the horrors | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

ferallymine · 9 days ago

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Am I Still Me?

A/n: Thyme can best be summarized as "it's going to be okay but it's going to be different" Despite the horrors, they persist. -------------------------------

Mina held the tablet close, tapping gently against its screen. “According to the files, Sayer had plans to find psychic duelists and amass them into an army. He wanted to take over the city.” She played snippets of different videos taken within a laboratory. Different people, aspiring duelists, anyone who wanted a better future... all victims. Some survivors.

Akiza stood, frozen in shock, “He… he wouldn’t…I..”

Mina continued to swipe through different logs of evidence, “Akiza, you were a victim of Sayer’s manipulations. So was Thyme. It’s all here, but don’t worry. We’ll motion to-“

“Stop.” Thyme pointed to the screen, which now displayed a series of icons, “Open that file.”

Mina’s grip tightened on the tablet. “Um, no. Some of this information is classified-“

“It says ‘W.W.’ That’s me, Water Weaver.” Thyme’s eyes looked dangerous, “Open it.”

Yusei crossed his arms, “Thyme has a right to know.” We all do.

“As Secretary to the Chief of Security, I won’t take orders from- AH!” Water cascaded from the sprinkler system, freezing into ice. It locked her into place on the floor.

Thyme stepped forward, easily taking the tablet, “I wasn’t asking.”

Akiza shook her head, “Thyme maybe we should-“

“You have a past to run from.” They stared daggers into her soul, “I don’t. I want to know why.”

“Thyme-“

They ignored further commentary- opening the file and playing the first video. Static covered the screen until two people at a table came into focus. Yusei gasped, recognizing Thyme’s Enforcer uniform instantly.

“Thyme Uchiumi, also known as the Water Weaver. You possess great psychic ability.” Sayer sat calmly across the desk, reading off of papers from a binder. “You don’t even need to necessarily use a deck to control your powers.”

Thyme thrashed about, arms chained to a specialized chair, “Let me out of this and I’ll show you what I can really do, dickhead!”

“Quite the feisty one,” He laughed, “Is that personality what won over your little gang of friends? You call yourselves Enforcers? Enforcers of what, exactly? You have way more skill than they do.”

“We’re a good team.” They grit their teeth, wrists raw from the force of their efforts, “We have a strong bond. Something you’ll never ha- AAAAH!”

Sayer had pressed a button, sending jolts of electricity through the chair. “Bonds can always be broken. I wonder how quickly you’ll break.”

“Never.” Thyme gasped through the pain as the current ceased.

“Oh? You’re team’s already dissolved without you.”

“Liar!” They tossed their head back, “What evidence you got? Huh?”

“Yes, your leader- Kalin, was it? Yusei turned him in to Securities." He motioned to a screen, playing video footage of Satellite's Security building. "Looks like Mr. Kessler blew up the Holding Building trying to find you and Mr. Fudo wouldn’t let him continue his quest.” Sayer pointed to his binder, which contained paper reports from Securities about the incident.

Something in Thyme’s eyes shifted. A symbol on their arm began to glow. Sayer noticed immediately, “Hm? Surprised? I would be too if my lover betrayed any efforts at finding me.” He shut the binder, “Guess Mr. Fudo never loved you after all.”

Another button press. Thyme screamed Yusei’s name as they blacked out.

Ice burst from their feet, securing all bodies in the room to the floor. Thyme didn't recognize the person on the screen. Is that...me?

Yusei fought against the ice trapping his legs. Tears slowly slid down his face as he tried to maintain composure, “Thyme… Thyme I didn’t do it. He has it all wrong I-“

Another file opened on screen.

“Treatment number 12. Thyme Uchiumi. Reason being continued aggravation and repetition of previous Satellite affiliates.” A laboratory assistant read off a clipboard.

Thyme was now wearing an Arcadia Uniform, strapped to a series of equipment and locked behind glass. “Sayer, this is overkill. I’ve already proven my abilities to you! What gives?!”

Sayer pressed the microphone button, “You say you know someone listed in the obituaries. Care to elaborate?”

Thyme straightened their posture, “Yeah. I was reading the newspaper and the name ‘Kalin Kessler’ jumped out at me. From the Prison obituaries. I think I knew him growing up.” They pulled at the cables, “This could be a clue as to where I came from! Sayer, isn’t this good news? I finally remembered something!”

Sayer pointed to the lab assistant, who then entered a code into the system. Flashes of light and a series of electrical shocks filled the glass chamber. Muffled screams could barely be heard from the speakers.

Thyme collapsed to their knees, trembling from the impact, “Wh…what… where is-"

“Thyme, I’m going to read off some names. I want you to tell me if you know them.” The assistant flipped a paper over, “Kalin Kessler.”

“Huh?” They lifted their head, “Who?”

“Crow Hogan.”

They shook their head, gasping for air, “I don’t...”

“Yusei Fudo.”

Thyme paused. “I… No, Yusei is my- AAAAH!” The treatment picked back up. Another painful red glow from their arm.

“You had twelve treatments… and there’s more files still…” Akiza made no efforts to fight the ice at her feet. Guilt and shame kept her trapped more than the ice. What else had she willingly turned a blind eye to? She’d let down the only other duelist on her level in the movement.

“Treatment number 28. Thyme Uchiumi. Reason relating to reinforcement of mission.” The lab assistant stood behind Sayer, whom sat across from Thyme at the table, “Please state your name and mission.”

Thyme’s eyes looked dead and exhausted. “I am to protect the Asset.”

Sayer shook his head, “No. Try again.”

“I am to protect the Asset and lead Arcadia’s victory through her endeavors.”

He sighed, applying goggles to his face. The assistant flipped a switch, causing lights and screens to illuminate the room. Thyme didn’t try to resist, clearly too exhausted and broken to even try. After several minutes, all systems stopped.

Sayer removed his goggles, gesturing to Thyme. “Who are you?”

They took a breath, “I am the Water Weaver.”

“And?”

“I am a weapon for Arcadia to utilize.”

A smile, “And what have I tasked you with?”

“I’m to ensure the Black Rose Witch can succeed in her missions above all else, including my own life.”

“Good,” Sayer crossed his arms, “Do you have doubts about your duties?”

Thyme stared vacantly, “No. I am a weapon for Arcadia to utilize.”

Akiza covered her mouth, too stunned at everything she’d just witnessed. Eyes glossy with tears welling- it took everything to not completely break down in this room. How many subtle cries for help had Thyme told her that she ignored? There were still 11 files after this video. Sayer… how could you!

The ice slowly retracted throughout the room. Thyme placed the tablet on the conference table. They looked hollow, soul depleted at the revelations on the screen. “I’ve seen enough.”

Mina used her new freedom to adjust her suit, “Uchiumi, I know this is a difficult-“

“Difficult?” Thyme made a fist, "My entire being... who I am as a person... it was erased to make a weapon for some psychopath's vision of an army. I think this qualifies as more than difficult."

"You're right." She bowed her head, "I'm sorry for attempting to keep this from you."

"You should be." Thyme turned to leave the room.

Yusei grabbed their arm, "Thyme, I-"

"You're looking for a ghost." They shook off his hand and pointed to the screen, "Pull up the first video. You'll see your Thyme again."

Deafening silence as the door opened. Yusei felt his body tremble with grief as he watched Thyme disappear down the corridor. Everything faded to white noise in his head, thoughts too jumbled with heavy emotions to speak.

---

It'd been hours since the evidence was shown to them. Under a new moon and heavy smog, this night appeared darker than usual. The top of the Security building was definitely one of the tallest rooftops in the city. Thyme stared off the edge of the railing, ash and cigarette butts surrounded their feet. Stress levels felt higher than this skyscraper.

Was it taller than Arcadia's? Could they even see Satellite from here? Scanning the skyline, they found Arcadia's building with ease. The smog covered where the island should be; Thyme felt a sense of loss in that realization.

He erased everything... for a weapon?

The lapis pendant felt heavy against their chest. Rage at the false security Sayer had given them. A false future promised from a robbed past. Thyme ripped the chain off and threw it full force off the edge. Faint glimmers of reflected light as it cascaded to the streets below. Their sign glowed, but the pain didn't touch their mental spiral. Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?

Hands gripped the railing with fervent intensity; blood threatened to seep from the twisted decorative steel embedding itself into their palms. Wind blew past, making them shiver- from rage, grief, or chills? Even this tactile stimulation couldn't orient them to reality. I can't. I can't. I can't. I-

Thyme watched as their body seemed to flash between different clothes, different states of being. They felt their surroundings melt into a dreamscape. Was the brainwashing finally wearing off? Finally letting them peek into what had been suppressed? Nothing felt real because everything was happening at once. Who were they? What had been stolen from them? Why couldn't it have been anyone else? I won't. I won't. I won't. I-

Running down streets of Satellite. Destruction of Daimon Area. Jumping through a window to catch a falling body. Cigarettes on rooftops. Duels in warehouses. Experiments in a laboratory. Thyme was everywhere and nowhere. Adrift in what fate thrusted onto them without a second thought. Memories deeply buried resurfaced in an overwhelming wave. What order did it all belong in? Why were all the details so fuzzy and blurred? Why couldn't it have been anyone else? Save me. Stop this. Save me. Stop-

"Breathe." A gentle hand rested overtop their fist.

Gasps as Thyme found themselves back in their body. How long had they been standing here? Where was here? Who dared encroach on their space? Eyes darted around trying to find a sense of place.

"You're okay." Yusei stood beside them, one hand tracing patterns over their reddened knuckles. His other gently rubbed their back. "Breathe."

Respirations slowly came back down. The night was quiet, if their mind would let them enjoy the silence. Thyme finally released the railing, pulling away from his touch to wipe tears from their eyes. "...thanks."

"It's late." He sounded concerned, "A lot happened today."

"I don't sleep."

"I'm not asking you to." Yusei stepped closer. His fingers twitched, like he wanted to take their hand again but stopped last minute.

Spark, then flame. Thyme glanced his way, "Want one?"

Yusei took the offer. Thyme leaned close with the lighter, brief flame illuminated both their faces against the moonless night. Smoke laced with strawberry drifted between them.

"You did always like sweeter things," Sapphire eyes studied their frame beside him. This space felt so close and so far at the same time. You're still you, even after all this....

“That so?” They leaned their head back, staring up at the smog-covered sky, “Hm, guess you’re right. I’ve cycled through a buncha flavors lately.”

“Can I guess one?”

“Sure.”

“Vanilla.”

They smirked, “Congrats. Guess that puzzle piece still fits.” Thyme rolled their head forward, leaning onto the railing. “…What else do you know about me?”

Yusei’s heart caught in his throat; he knew exactly what they were asking. "...It's okay if you've changed-"

"But who did I use to be?" They balled their fists, "I have no reference point. Everything I thought I was..."

"Thyme-"

"Please... just tell me anything."

Ash collected at their feet, strawberry wisps dissipating through the air. Heartbeats of silence gave him space to think. Yusei finally leaned on the railing, closing the space between them, "You always cared about others."

"Like charity work?" they leaned their head onto his shoulder. Thyme pretended not to hear his breath hitch.

"Like breaking into Security Storage to retrieve stolen goods. I had to pick glass out of your hand because you punched out a window during the escape." He rested his head over top their own. "There ended up being a lot of blood- Jack almost passed out looking at it."

They stared at their hands, fingers tracing faint scar lines...always there, simply ignored. "Ah... that makes sense..."

Yusei took off his glove, intertwining his fingers with theirs. Similar scars decorated his own skin, "You often bailed us out of trouble, even saved my life more than once. It was the least I could do."

"Hm, more criminal type trouble? Or generic type trouble?"

"A bit of both. You and Crow got into bar fights every so often. Always pickpocketing or scheming in some capacity. I've carried you home a handful of times."

"I don't really drink now-"

"Nope, not drunk. Just bruised from fights that got too big." He let out a small laugh, "Your portrait is still plastered on several "banned for life" billboards in a few places."

They smiled at the thought, "Did you always tend to me after these encounters?"

"I mean, we were dating so I just wanted to make sure you -"

"Was I a good kisser?"

Blush tinted his cheeks, eyes drifting elsewhere, "You... um..."

"Well, we were dating, right?" Thyme pulled away just enough to look him in the eyes, a teasing smirk on their face. "You can be honest. Not like I can break up with you now."

"You could," He wondered aloud, "We never technically ended it..."

"Yusei, it's been years."

"And in all this time and space between us, I never stopped looking." Calloused thumbs absentmindedly traced their fingers. "I never stopped loving you." I knew you were out there, somewhere.

Something in this realization pierced their heart. Thyme was stunned to silence, letting the weight of his truth settle on their soul. It'd been years and he never gave up? Never lost hope? They'd disappeared completely and he wouldn't let anyone tell him opposite of how his soul felt.

Silence gave room for confidence- Yusei pulled Thyme's hands closer until they rested over his heart. "You're still Thyme. We can go back and forth all night with questions and comparisons. It changes nothing. You're still... well, you... And I-"

A hand on his cheek stopped his thoughts. Lips pressed against his own stopped his voice. Flavors of tobacco and strawberry danced between their shared space. Yusei dared to snake his arms around Thyme's waist, pulling them closer. Behind eyelids and intimacies, visions flooded forward. Kinder memories, not ones forged by steel and blood and sheer need for survival.

They finally separated, space just enough to breathe and lean their foreheads together. Quiet revelry for what love was once there. Being present for the love that remains. Both souls changed, different, yet still longing for the other.

"I'd like to learn how to love you again." Thyme traced the marker down his cheek. "If that's alright."

Arms pulled them closer, a soft kiss placed over their own marker. Yusei buried his face against their neck. "I'd like to do the same."

#thyme uchiumi #oc #yugioh 5ds #yusei fudo #akiza izinski #Continuumshipping #the song “strawberries and cigarettes” played more than once while writing this #its a vibe #Do it for the love that was once there!!!#The tender vulnerability that comes with asking “am i still me?”#BECAUSE YOURE ASKING “have i been irrevocably changed?”#“has my soul become so marred that i am unloveable? Unrecognizable?"#THYME MY DARLING YOURE STILL HUMAN YOURE STILL LOVED #THE HORRORS PERSIST BUT SO DO YOU BITCH #all of the enforcers have to wrestle this question in some context throughout the show #thyme- identity/past. Yusei- guilt/worthiness. Kalin- apathy/life. Jack- status/future. Crow- responsibility/self #Continuumshipping because across time and space and everything in between they will love each other #Despite everything they will choose each other every time

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