#look me in the eye and tell me they WOUDLNT have a bet going

[ferallymine]

Admitting Alleyway Adorations

a/n: I'm now night shift and had to stay awake. Wrote some fade-to-black spice and @fruitypies encouraged me to expand it <3

Hot take- fade to black spice is 10000000x better than overt blatant spice and i WILL die on this hill.

Reminder: Thyme is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns :) <3 They're also a psychic duelist with a water deck specialty.

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"Maybe there's a secret button somewhere." Thyme traced their hand along the concrete wall. Barren steps to a ledge with a knob-less door stood at the end of the alley. Puddles of last night's rain dotted the path beneath their feet. Didn't Crow say it was here somewhere?

"Well, it wouldn't be the first time Crow had a dead end lead." Yusei sighed, eyeing the opposing wall. He leaned against it, "I wouldn't mind resting for a bit before we make our way back to base."

The sun had fully set on Satellite now, light only emitting from far away stars and the occasional plane. The runner and hoverboard had run into engine difficulties, leading the pair to have travelled on foot from the Enforcer's headquarters.

"Do you think we'll have to run laps or just fistfight?" Thyme settled beside him.

"For your sake, hopefully just laps."

A huff, "What's that supposed to mean? I could totally take you in a fight."

"Mhm sure-" A splash of puddle water covered the boy, soaking his clothes. "Hey!"

Thyme stood to their feet, rolling away from Yusei's reach, "Oh no. Guess you'll have to fight me for your honor back."

"You cheated! No water!" Frustrated, he rose to his feet. "Just good old fashioned fighting, Thyme."

"Of course, darling."

Yusei was grateful for the limited lighting. They couldn't see how the pet name made him blush. Get it together! Thyme just wants to throw you off your game.

Punches, dodges, kicks, and flips scattered gravel across the alleyway. Thyme managed to catch Yusei's fist, taking the momentum to slam him off balance against the opposite wall. A well-placed knee kept his hips from moving while their hands pinned his arms beside his head.

"I win." They leaned close, placing a quick kiss on his lips.

Yusei didn't respond, breath heavy and mind blank about what just happened. The pair had never been this close before. This... intimate before. When was their last time alone together? Something in his chest desperately wanted them close. Wanted them always by his side.

You've always craved this. His skin felt on fire where they touched him. I want more...

Thyme touched their foreheads together, grinning as they felt his hips rock against their knee. "You just have to ask, Yusei."

He found enough strength to push up, capturing their lips in another intense kiss.

Figures breathless in entangled limbs. Damp concrete met cloth and skin as they pinned him again against the wall. Hands got desperate as the kiss deepened, teeth grazing bruised lips for permission. Their nails traced patterns underneath his shirt.

A stifled moan, "Please." Yusei buried his face in their neck, trying to catch his breath.

Thyme pulled back, forcing their eyes to meet. A playful smirk, "Hm, please what?"

Oh.... fuck....

He struggled to admit how much he liked that tone. Patience and control stretched thin with each teasing quip on their tongue. This new game they both decided to play forced previously compartmentalized feelings front and center. How long had this yearning been festering? How long had they felt the same?

On their tip toes, Thyme whispered in his ear, "Tell me what you want."

Grip on their body tightened- Yusei moved so swiftly they didn't have time to process their new position underneath him. Stairs provided him leverage as he placed them on their back. The stars dotting the sky perfectly outlined his frame. When did he get this strong?

"Please let me love you." Yusei's eyes locked with theirs. His cheeks dusting with pink and pulse thundering in his ears. I only want you.

After the head rush, Thyme realized they weren't pinned to the ground. He'd left them enough room to leave, if they wished. Even after this drawn-out foreplay, he wanted to be sure. He's waiting for permission. Reassurance that it's okay to feel this way.

The silent fear in the back of his mind- Please love me back.

A hand creeped up to hold his face. Thyme's thumb traced his cheekbone. Yusei let out a shaky breath, unaware that he hadn't been breathing. How long had it been since he inhaled voluntarily? Minutes? Seconds? He wanted this moment to last as long as they'd allow it. Don't leave.

He closed his eyes, taking in every aspect of this intimacy. Yusei caressed their hand, letting his thumb trace their knuckles as he placed gentle kisses over their palm. A whine died in his throat.

Thyme finally broke the silence, "Only if I get to love you in return."

Lips crashed in reignited passion. Their hands wandered as he let his weight pin their body to the concrete. Hips rocked together, desperate for friction of any capacity. Yusei didn't realize how much he craved Thyme until that victory kiss. Thyme didn't realize how badly they needed Yusei until their bodies pressed together in genuine adoration. Needy gasps and desperate hands traced every outline, every scar, every pulse point. Bruises marked their collars, red handprints scraping down each hip.

A breath of air, "I love you."

"I love you, too."

---

Crow propped his feet up, eating popcorn as he stared down the front door. Jack sipped tea, arms crossed. With concern or disdain, one could never tell.

"Why are we waiting for them? It's been almost 48 hours." The blond finished his tea. "They probably visited Martha. I'm not concerned."

"Shhhhh, they'll be back any second now. I know it."

"How?"

Crow stretched his arms, offering some popcorn, "I sent them on a goose chase. I replaced part of Thyme's scrunchies with a tracker."

Jack pinched the bridge of his nose, "And why would you do that?"

A shrug, "I got tired of waiting."

The door swung open. The couple walked in, bruises unceremoniously dotting their necks. Yusei draped an arm around Thyme's waist, leading them past the others down the stairs to the kitchen. They both noticeably avoided the stares of the other two.

Jack sighed and placed $20 in Crow's outstretched hand. "Fucker."