Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V.

Day 1: Smile

Seeing the smile return on Kurosaki's face was a wonder to behold.

Crow could not claim that he knew the Xyz duelist well; he was friends with Yuya, was from another dimension – and yes, Crow could now say that with a straight face – was an incredible duelist, had a rough look that even most Commons lacked, and was extremely brutal.

In his last duel, he could practically feel Kurosaki's rage vibrating under his skin, and while Crow could not follow the conversation that well, the results spoke for themselves.

Crow remembered the first time he smiled after so long. Frank, Amanda and Tanner brought a light to his life that he had not realized he was missing. As the kids were laughing and playing with their food, Crow couldn't help but start laughing himself, and it struck him like a revelation.

He had forgotten what genuine laughter felt like. He forgot what it was like to smile out of happiness. And the kids made him happy.

At first he thought Kurosaki was a grade-A asshole who was looking down on them, raving about stuff he could not understand and wanted no part in.

But he saved Tanner. He saw Tanner and tried to make Crow stop over and over again and Crow did not listen.

The light of his life and Crow did not even notice that he was in mortal danger. Crow felt like shit.

But it also made him reevaluate his opinion on Kurosaki. He was more than just his war and his rage. He too had a past and a family. And his war was for a reason.

Suddenly it hit Crow just how similar their decks were. How similar they both were. Birds of feather. This might as well have been a mirror match.

As Kurosaki took his turn, Crow could see a new light in his eyes that was not rage but mirth. His voice got new vigor and his tiny little grin was wild.

For the first time in forever, Kurosaki was dueling for the sake of dueling and it filled him with joy. And Crow smiled just as wildly in return, for once enjoying the clash of skill instead of trying to secure money or food.

Maybe Yuya had a point with his Entertainment Dueling shtick. How long had it been since they both last had fun playing this game?

Too long. For both of them.

Even when he lost, Kurosaki kept smiling. Crow was not worried about him. He made it out of a battlefield, he'd make it out of the pit too.

So he smiled too, knowing that they both rediscovered something precious today.

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