——(Y/N)'s P.O.V.——
"You guys ready?" Now in a wig, jeans and blazer, I turn to the boys, "I understand if you're not,"
Syrus walks forward with a hopeful glint in his eyes, "I'm ready. I really am,"
It sounds like he's trying to convince himself more than anything. Still, I nod and turn to the rest of the group.
"Alright, you know how this is gonna go down:
Syrus and Jaden are gonna approach Kaiser first, if he tries to approach us first, we don't dive in right away, instead we talk around him until me or Astor gives the go ahead.
Astor and I will be on standby, watching everything that happens. We won't be listing, but if anything seems out of place we'll come in or you'll give us the signal.
Chazz: Go nowhere, talk to no one, do nothing.
Everyone clear?"
Everyone except Chazz smiles and nods, "Why am I so useless? I'm not a complete idiot, you know. I'm smarter than everyone here,"
"Smarter than the guy that brainwashed you?" I pointed to Astor, "Smarter than the girl that's years ahead in her career despite the lack of advantages you were given to start your career?" I continue to point back and for that Astor and myself, "Smarter than those people?"
"All I'm saying is-"
"-All your saying is that you feel left out," I interrupt, "Sorry but that's what happens when you're not helpful and show up out of the blue. Alright!" I clap my hands together, "Let's go repair a damaged relationship between brothers,"

.......

The crowd surrounding me and Chazz is louder than usual. Though it was easy to tune out considering I'm only paying attention to the two boys across the room.
Jaden and Syrus are sitting at a table waiting to see Zane.
"Where is he?" I mutter under my breath, "He better not be skipping,"
"What was that?" Chazz turns to me.
"Just looking for the guy me and my family are going out in a limb for. Nothing serious," I roll my eyes and continue to look at Syrus and Jaden, "Sy doesn't really like big crowds, either. Not really my type of scene come to think of it," A chill goes down my spine and I run my hands over my arms.
"I thought 'Someone so ahead in her career,'" Chazz air quotes, "Would be used to this kind of thing. What happened to the annoying girl who was making fun of my hair an hour ago?"
I turn to Chazz and cock my eyebrow, "You want me to go back to that, cuz I was holding back earlier-"
"- No, I'm not complaining, but Jaden told me how important it is that you keep your cool," He jolts his thumb to point at the boys, "He said on the chopper that your uncertain. You need to calm down, put some faith in Syrus. He may be a total dweeb, but even I think he's stronger than he seems,"
I look down and chuckle, "I'm not worried because I don't have faith in Syrus," I look back up to see Kaiser in the crowd, heading straight for Jaden and Sy, "It's that one have have no faith in," I nod towards the man moving across the room.
"Let's go by Astor," I say, walking towards the bar, not taking my eyes of the duelist, "Remember-"
"-Talk to no one, go nowhere, do nothing," Chazz repeats, voice colder than before, "He looks so different from when I last saw him. Jesus,"

—— Syrus' P.O.V.——

There he is.
Holy shit he's walking straight towards us. He's making eye contact.
I turn my eyes to look at Jaden, he's already staring back at me with a reassuring smile and a thumbs up.
"We got this, Sy. You got this,"
I take a deep breath and look at Zane, who's about to sit down with us.
Yeah, we got this.

—— Zane's P.O.V.——
"Be nice," (Y/N)'s remark plays in my head on a loop as I approach my brother and his friend.
If Jaden's with him I guess they do have a plan. Who'd of thought (Y/N) wasn't fucking around?
"Be nice,"
I sit down directly across from Syrus and choose my next words carefully.
"So, you let her use your Power Bond card, huh?"
No sadism, no tormenting, just being nice. If Syrus really wants be back in his life, he has to take the first step.
I already tried to get my brother back and he rejected me, now let's see his alternative.
"Uh... yeah, I just thought..." Syrus repeatedly trails off, I don't know if he's nervous or just dumbfounded, but he's clearly uncomfortable.
I make him uncomfortable.
Fuck.
"Uh, how 'bout a "hi" first, huh Zane?" Jaden swoops in, "You really caught us off guard here. We didn't expect you to approach us tonight," Jaden tries to chuckle to release some tension, and it seems to work when Syrus visibly relaxes.
"So, you're doing well in the pro league," Jaden continues, "That's good,"
"Yeah, I guess," Right, they don't know I know about their weird plan, "What are you doing here, Jaden? Aren't you not aloud off the island unless it's an emergency or something?"
Jaden and Syrus look at each other, and Syrus sighs.
"Hey, Jay? Could you get me something to drink?" Jaden gets a worried look on his face.
"Sy, are you sure I could just-"
"-Jaden. I'm fine. I got this,"
....
Jaden sighs and stands up. As he walks away, my eyes follow him to where (Y/N) and Astor are.
I guess they're keeping tight surveillance on me. As I'm about to tear my eyes away, (Y/N)'s orbs catch mine. They're glaring with caution.
"Be nice,"
I shudder and look back at my brother. Fine, if this is what it takes to get my foot in the door, I'll be nice.
"I'm surprised more reporters aren't crowding around you tonight," Syrus starts, still not fully making eye contact, "Considering how rare it is that you lose these days,"
"Nah, I think these people know better than to approach me," I look at him, still avoiding my eyes, "Especially if they think I'm feeling less than stellar,"
"Yeah, I know first hand what your like when you're not feeling your best..." Syrus trails off as soon as he realizes that I could hear him.
Now I'm avoiding his eyes.
...

——(Y/N)'s P.O.V.——

"Jaden's leaving.... Astor why is he leaving the table?" I grow weary as Jaden leaves the two alone and walks towards us.
I look back at the table and Kaiser's eyes are already looking into mine. I look for a second, same chilling color, but with something else behind them... empathy maybe? No, it looks like...
Shame.
I look away when Jaden comes up next to me and leans against the bar, "Can I have a coke?"
"What's going on?" Astor asks turning to Jaden, "We told you to stay together. That was like, the one thing we told you to do,"
"I know!" Jaden turns to us, "I'm not stoked about it either. But Syrus told me too, and I trust him. Besides he told me to get him a drink, so I can always swoop in if he gives the signal,"
I go back to watching the Truesdale brothers. Syrus is talking, but looking away. Kaiser, is looking a little more comfortable, but looks like he's getting less and less confident by the second.
What the fuck are they saying?

—— Syrus' P.O.V.——

"Yeah, I know first hand what your like when you're not feeling your best..."
....
Fuck. Did I really just say that?
I stare down at my hands, terrified for retaliation, but what comes out of Zane's mouth is something I wasn't expecting.
"You do, don't you?"
For the first time tonight, I want to see how my brother is looking at me. I tilt my head up to see Zane looking to the side, small grimace on his face.
"W-what?" I can't look away as I stutter out the question, not really sure what I'm asking.
Not really sure how he'll respond.
"You've seen me at my lowest point. You really have," he turns to me, a hint of his twisted smile returning, "I guess it's a good thing. You know I can't hit any lower..."
Zane chuckles a bit. Laughing at his own misfortune like that, that's not something he would do.
Why is he acting like this? Does he really think me seeing him so low is funny? This isn't like him, it's too much.
It's all happening too fast...
Why'd he approach me? Why is he being so personal?
It's too much!
I don't got this.

....

I stand up and push myself away from the table, "I have to leave," I walk as quickly as I can past him before stopping for a moment, "it really was nice seeing you again," I then pick up the pace and make a beeline to the closest exit.
I try not to look ahead, opting to look at the ground and flit my eyes up every once and awhile to see I'm still moving in the right direction. I see the exit get closer and I start to run.
My visions getting blurry, this was too much, this was way too much.
I make it out of the building and lean against the back wall of the alley. I feel the bricks scrape my back as I slide down to the ground.
I can't breathe, I can't breathe.
I gasp for air, but soon I gasp in surprise as I feel a hand cover my own.
I force myself to look up to see (Y/N) sitting next to me.

——(Y/N)'s P.O.V.——

As soon as I see Syrus leave for the exit, I start to follow him.
"Hey, (Y/N)! Hold on!" Astor starts, "I don't think-"
"I'll be right back," I turn my head over my shoulder, "Make sure nobody does anything insane,"
If Astor retaliated I couldn't hear him. Syrus went.... that way. I walk out of the building to find Syrus hyperventilating and curled up into his knees.
I quietly sit down next to him and slowly put my hand on his.
He jumps a little and looks up. He's crying.
I take his hand and put it on the brick wall behind him.
"Do you feel the texture of the bricks?" I ask, Syrus slowly nods and his fingers start to run over a single brick, "How does it feel?"
"R-rough, grounded, it's a rectangle," Syrus starts to run his index finger on the outline of the brick.
I lean against the wall and look up. I see the fire escape above us and I get an idea.
"Can you count how many rungs are on that one ladder?" I point up and Syrus looks, his breathing already slowed down a bit.
"One, two, four, six, eight, ten," His eyes flicker back and fourth, "there's ten,"
His hand is not longer shaping out the brick, and more importantly, stoped shaking.
Syrus lowers his head and sighs, "It was too much," he leans his head on my shoulder, his hands now repeatedly counting his fingers, "sorry for freaking out. That wasn't part of the plan,"
"Hey," I wrap my arm around his shoulders, pulling him closer to me, "You never need to apologize for this kind of thing. Never. And as for not being part of the plan, I totally saw this kind of thing coming. But I came prepared," As I say this, I pull Syrus' deck box out of my blazer, "Wanna see if you can find all the monster cards that start with an A?"
Syrus takes a shaky breath and grabs his deck, "Sounds fun,"

.....

Awhile later Syrus and I come back into the hall to find a crowd surrounding a table. Walking closer, we see that Jaden and Chazz are dueling, Chazz is yelling at Jaden for various reasons, and Astor is laughing in the background.
"This is what happens when we leave them alone," Syrus groans as he puts his face in his palm.
I would laugh if I wasn't looking around for Kaiser. Syrus seems unfazed by his absence, and walks over to Jaden's side to cheer him in against Chazz. This spikes Chazz's anger, something that amuses everyone to a high degree.
"He left," I jump out of my skin when Astor speaks behind me, "He waited for a minute after you guys left and walked out the front door,"
I huff some of the wigs hair out of my face and cross my arms, "Figures," I stare blankly at the match between the two boys at the table.
"Do you know what happened?" Astor continues, "What they talked about, I mean. Kaiser didn't seem to tease him or try to hurt him or take him, I just don't understand what happened,"
"No, we didn't talk about it," I look back to him, "When I found him he was having a panic attack. Worst one I've seen from him in awhile, so I was more focused on how to help him rather than push it, y'know?"
"I guess you're right, give him space," Astor elbows my side as I continue to stare at nothing, "You doing okay?"
I sigh, "I need a drink," Astor points towards the bar and I continue, "A drink in a quieter place. I feel like a dick asking this but can you take the boys home? Syrus and Jaden, I mean. I have no idea what Chazz is gonna do but-"
Astor holds up a hand to stop my rambling, "Say no more. Take Jaden and Syrus home, kick Chazz to the curb,"
I chuckle as Astor smirks, "Seriously man, I owe you one,"
I grab my bag and nod to Syrus who smiles back at me before I walk out of the stadium. I stare up at the Scarlet Lady's illuminating sign across the street.
Bingo.
I pull out my phone an walk to the bar. I'm attempting to text Zane to get over here, but as I'm about to hit send I look in the window to see a familiar figure sitting in the back booth.
I walk through the door and hold a finger to Mary to follow me.
"Hey, jackass," I say as I slide into the opposite end of the booth, "Rough night?"
If looks could kill, Zane would have vaporized me on sight, "What are you talking about? Best night of my life," the sarcasm dripping from his words not missed.
Mary came up to us and got her pad and pen ready, "What can I getcha tonight, Mellissa? You need a refill over there?" When she nods to Zane, my eyes find that he's surrounded by a dozen empty glasses, all still smelling strongly of whatever liquor they had in them.
"I'll have an espresso, and he'll take an ice water," When Mary walks off, I lightly kick Zane under the table and his head shoots up.
"What the fuck," his words are slurred, "Where's the bartender? I need another drink," he raises his hand to bring Mary back, but I grab his arm an push it back on the table. His limb being easy to overpower with his heavy lack of focus.
"No you don't," I hiss back, and a strained smile comes to my lips as Mary comes back to the table with my coffee and Zane's water. As soon as she leaves, my frown returns and I push the water towards him, "Drink this instead. You'll feel better,"
"No I won't, fuck you,"
Zane stares me down before putting his head down on the table in defeat, "I'm such and idiot for letting you talk me into this. 'Be nice,'"
Zane groans, "That's the last time I'm listening to you....
So no, I won't drink the stupid fucking water,"
...
I sigh and take a sip of my caffeinated drink to get a boost I know I'll need.
"Alright, this can go down one of two ways," Zane drearily looks up at me, "One, you can drink this and sober the fuck up and then try to explain to me what the hell happened, or two," my eyes narrow, "You continue to be a whiny bitch and I have to sober you up by hosing you down out back. Your choice,"
"Is vomiting a choice?" Zane props his head up on his hands, "Cause that seems like a great way to get the booze out of my system,"
At this point I've had enough, I walk out of my side of the booth and lean down to slap him.
The stinging sensation in my hand gives me reassurance that I have his undivided attention.

"You're not doing this, okay?" Zane leans back in the booth, but I grab his face in my hand and make him look at me, "After the stressful night that just occurred, I would love ignore the rational part of my brain and get hammered while watching you die of alcohol poisoning; however, I'm going to stay sober and make sure you don't do anything to make your situation worse, and that includes the monster of a hangover you'll suffer if I let you continue.

You mean something to Syrus, so that means I will do whatever it takes to make sure you don't fall off the deep end. Or... I guess more off the deep end. You don't get to trigger your brothers PTSD and then wallow in your own self pity. You need to acknowledge what happened and how you played a role in it, and then move forward," I use my free hand to push the cup right in front of Zane and put his head to the point where his nose is in the water, "And you'll start by drinking that fucking water,"

....

"I can't believe you slapped me," Zane, now on his second cup of water, decides to break our twenty minute silence, "I can't believe I lost so much today... Jesus. What's happening to me? Usually I love this kind of pain. It reaffirms my beliefs, but this...."
"Well, I guess this is some form of progress," I lean back in my booth, "Look at you, not being a sociopath,"
Zane chuckles, "You're funny," Still not sober, but no longer slurring his words, "It bothers me how much I understand why Syrus likes you,"
My brows furrow in confusion, "Does that mean you like me?"
"Not exactly," Zane smirks into his cup, "I just know why he gave you his Power Bond,"
I put down my coffee and look at him, "Oh yeah?"
"Yeah, I kind of get why he doesn't want to leave you," Zane looks out the window of the booth before continuing, "I noticed it tonight. Syrus ran off and you ran after him. You're smart enough to know that was a really low point for me, but rather than looking at me to see my pain, you went to help Syrus. You didn't even glance in my direction when you walked past me. He was your priority," Zane looks back at me, "I've never really seen someone choose Syrus over me before. No one except Jaden, I guess,"
"Well, duh," I raise my eyebrow at him, "I don't think it's a big secret that I like Syrus more than you. I think I told you that twenty minutes ago,"
"It's not just that you like him more, it's that you do more for him," Zane takes another sip from his cup, "You're reckless and have a violent history and a secret brother, tons of shit that makes you a bad caregiver, but from what I've seen you make him relaxed, happy even. You do things that make Syrus feel like your worth while. Hell, you're here right now to protect him, you told me that yourself.
That's why I get why Syrus gave you Power Bond, and that's why I hate that I like you,"
"You hate that you like me because...?" I trail off, not quite knowing what the reason is.
"Because you're what I want to be for Syrus," Zane pushes his cup away, "I wished Syrus cared about me the way he cares about you. I wish he didn't run out of the room panicked every time we talk,"
"Well," I start, "That's why Syrus and I are doing this. I've told you this before, and the way this is going I will most definitely be telling you again, Syrus loves you. He does care about you, he wouldn't be doing this if he didn't. But if you get loaded every time you feel bad instead of cooperating, nothings gonna change.
So please tell me, what happened tonight?"

.....

"Okay, so your side of the story doesn't answer a whole lot," I stare down at my now empty coffee cup, "I'll try to see what happened from Syrus' perspective and get back to you. Okay?"
"Fine, fine. But this better help," as Zane finishes his sentence, he yawns.
"Alright, man. Let's get you home. Where are your car keys?" I get up from the booth and place forty bucks on the table, "That should cover all the shit you drank,"
"Nope, nope," Zane sluggishly waves his hands across his face and shakes his head, "You're not driving me home, let alone in my car,"
"Say the alphabet backwards and I'll consider letting you go home alone," I chuckle as I pick Zane's car key out of his pocket.
"That's not fair, I can't even do that sober, so I can't do it now,"
"Glad, we agree," I hold out my hand for him to grab, "You're too drunk to drive. Now let's go,"
Zane hesitates before getting a tight grasp on my hand and I pull him out of the booth.
We both wave Mary goodbye and walk out of the bar towards Zane's dark blue Mustang.
"Alright," I say after buckling Zane and myself in, "Where do you live?"

—— Zane's P.O.V.——
——The Next Day——

I wake up with a slight heaviness to my limbs. I try to get up but my head spins when I elevate my body to sit up.
Guess I should've listened to (Y/N) about something.
I look over at my night stand to see a glass of water, an apple, two Advil tablets, and a note.
I pick up the sheet of paper:
Hey,
Despite the fact that you were totally not drunk last night, you passed out as soon as you reached your bed. I took off your jacket and boots, but the rest is up to you.
If your head hurts while you read this, then take the Advil and eat the apple I put next to you(Syrus told me you liked apples once. I don't know if it's true, but you do have a lot in your kitchen).
I don't know how much of last night you remember, but you really seemed to let your guard down and I think that means you took a big step. You're trying to improve, so don't beat yourself up too much about it.
However, you did ruin my plans to get shitfaced last night, so you're not completely innocent(though I guess you did need it more than me since I thoroughly kicked your ass last night on national television).
I'm glad you're not a complete sociopath,
-(Y/N)
P.S. it's good to know where you live in case I need to break in:)

———

Laughing at the last line, I take the two tablets and bite into the apple.
She might not be so bad after all.
When I finish my breakfast down to the core, I grab my jacket that's thrown over the leather armchair in the corner. I pull out my phone and walk to the kitchen to see my car key on the counter with another note:
Nice taste in cars, but you should change your oil soon.

So now she's giving me car advise?
I throw out my apple core and pull up my mechanics number on my phone.
It couldn't hurt to listen to her...

——(Y/N)'s P.O.V.——

I watch Jaden and Syrus paint Nicky's nails from the kitchen, "Please don't get polish on the couch!" I call out. The boys just laugh and continue to talk about Chazz and Jaden's duel from last night.
I chuckle and head into my room.
My phone buzzes while I flop onto my bed:
Z
Thanks for driving me home last night.
And you were right about the oil

I roll over onto my stomach and prop up on my elbows to text him back:
Are you actually admitting I'm right?
That must be killing you inside

Zane was quick to respond
Z
Slowly but surely

I chuckle a bit before I hear a shout in the living room. I throw my phone in my bed before running out.
I come into the living room to find Jaden on the ground delicately propping up a nail polish bottle.
"What just happened?"
Jaden looks up at me with large eyes, "I didn't let any polish spill,"
"But did you crack any ribs?"
Jaden sighs dramatically, "a worthy price to pay,"
I sigh and shake my head before sitting down next to my fallen friend, "Alright nerds, who wants painted nails?"

.....

By the time I return to my room it's well past midnight and my nails are 6 different colors.
Picking up my phone, I find one missed message from Zane:
Z
I do remember everything I said last night, and I meant all of it:)

I smile and put my phone on my nightstand, flipping it over so I'm not bothered again.
We might have gotten off on the worst foot, but maybe Zane will be worth it.
Maybe it's time I start trying for both of the Truesdale brothers.

—————————
Sorry this took so long, just kinda lost motivation. But I'm back!
Word count: 4365