"I love you once; I love you twice; I can't stop loving you"

[pendulumofmysoul]

Okay, so avoiding Yuto might not have been the best idea, but it was also something Yuya couldn't exactly avoid either. It wasn't because of he hated his counterpart - that wasn't it at all.

Rather, it was more because of the fact Yuya had grown to realize just what kind of feelings he had begun to possess for him.

It was easy enough to avoid Yuto, despite how much he knew the other was confused if the confusion sent through the link they shared was of any indication. However, Yuto was never someone who pushed even if it did confuse him; yet, at the same time, Yuya wasn't sure how much longer it would take before Yuto finally decided to confront him as to why he had been avoiding him.

"Just tell him!" Words from Yugo ran in his mind even though he knew for a fact his Synchro counterpart was just trying to help. Yuri didn't seem at all interested in whatever love drama Yuya was going through aside from promising that he'd talk to Yuto himself if Yuya doesn't do so.

Yuya took that warning to heart.

He breathed out a sigh as he exited the arena he recently just had his match in. Rubbing the back of his neck, he checked his watch and briefly wondered if he would be able to just take a walk home. After all, he did share an apartment with Yuto, Yugo, and Yuri even though the latter two were often whisked back to their own dimensions to either participate in tournaments or to help finish rebuilding and reforming Academia.

Yuto often went back to Heartland, too, even though Shun and Ruri moved to Maiami City just shortly after everything had been finished. He claimed it was still his home, not to mention he and Shun often left to catch up with Kaito.

It gave Yuya the apartment to himself for some time, even though it was obvious that he spent most of his time trying to figure out what it was that he felt for Yuto. He already received a smack from Yuzu, telling him to stop beating around the bush, and even Gogenzaka simply tried to give him words of encouragement.

He decided to walk home, kindly rejecting the driver's offer for a ride, and began to make his way back to the apartment.

It was a nice night out, especially with fall beginning to settle in, and he stretched his arms up above his head.

"Nice night," he mused, lifting his gaze to the star-dotted sky.

Yuya nearly jerked in surprise when he realized there was--something jumping down from the rooftop. He took a step back, startled when the person landed in front of him, eyes wide once he recognized who it was.

"Y-Yuto?!"

Yuto breathed out, eyes softening and seemingly without any regard that he just jumped out of nowhere. He looked at Yuya, face stern as he reached over to grab his wrist.

"Yu--"

"Come with me," Yuto interjecting, pulling Yuya along gently back to their apartment.

Yuya followed along, wondering just what it was that was making Yuto act so strange. However, he soon received his answer when they arrived back at the apartment and they were back inside. He let out a yelp when Yuto suddenly pinned him against the door, one hand slammed against the door beside his head.

"Yu--"

"Did I do something, Yuya?" his counterpart wondered, expression shifting just slightly to reveal the insecurity on his face. "If I did, please tell me. I don't like it when you suddenly start avoiding me."

Yuya pressed his lips together, eyes shifting to the side almost guiltily. "No, you didn't do anything wrong."

"Then why are you avoiding me?"

The Pendulum counterpart closed his eyes, trying not to see the heartbroken expression masking Yuto's face before he suddenly surged forward, kissing him.