oOo

Chapter 1 - Home

Yami grumbled as he passed through the hallway towards the common room. The noise was loud and grating, but pleasantly familiar. He could hear it all the way from the third floor. Oh well, at least they were enjoying themselves. Hopefully they would change things up this year.

It was almost midnight anyway, so Yami's curious what Magna and Luck would do this time for fireworks.

He entered the common room.

Everyone was having fun. They were drinking, playing games, and shouting like always, but one auburn haired individual was missing. He looked around to see if he must've missed him in a corner, but no.

Weird.

Usually he and Vanessa would already be drinking and playing games with the rest of the squad. Yami sighed and walked over to Vanessa, who was in her underwear, sprawled on her belly across the couch and drinking like there was no tomorrow.

Yami sat on the armrest and stared blankly at his other squad members. They were playing one of their famous gambling games with Henry.

"Captain!" Vanessa purred. "You should join too!"

"In a bit," He mumbled. "Where's your best friend?"

"Best frie—" She paused and pushed herself up to her knees to look around. She scowled. Gordon and Grey were in their silent corner, watching the others play. Gauche, who was miraculously pushed into joining their game, was with Magna, Luck, Charmy, and Henry.

No Finral.

"I haven't seen him since this morning." She frowned as she sat properly this time. "I know he left earlier to deliver something, but he should've been back hours ago."

Yami asked, "Did he tell you what he delivered?"

"I don't know." She shrugged. "He said it wasn't important."

"We both know Finral's not that tight-lipped."

Vanessa caught on and scowled. She took a long sip from her bottle and scolded herself for not realizing the implications. She's known Finral for years now and if she had to describe him he was pretty much an open book. The only reason he got like this was when his family came up; his biological family.

Yami stood up. "I'll look for him."

"Do you want me to help?" She said as he moved after him.

"Eh," Yami shrugged as he stared at the rest of the team. "Keep the others occupied and have fun. No need to worry anyone else. They haven't caught on yet, so better keep it between us."

"Got it," Vanessa nodded. "Try the roof."

Yami snorted as he made his exit.

Of course Finral would be on the roof. Whenever the mood took him, he'd go there and just stare blankly at the sky or the open space around the base. That was his getaway from life; the fresh air, open space, no shackles, and away from fear and responsibilities. Freedom. It was the complete opposite from his cage inside the Vaude Mansion.

After moving through several halls and staircases, Yami reached the rooftop.

He found Finral alone, gazing at the beautiful night sky. Yami stared for a while, watching the wind sweep Finral's hair aside. Then he focused on those purple eyes staring blankly into the sky. If he had to describe them, they were sorrowful and longing.

That wasn't right.

Now wasn't the time to be miserable on New Year's Eve.

Yami sighed and stepped on the roof.

Slowly, he made his way to Finral and sat next to him. Finral still hasn't noticed him yet. Not good. Finral's senses were nearly as good as Luck's. To have him so distracted and on the roof, no less, was bad. Yami snaked a hand behind Finral, but doesn't touch him. He had to make sure he could catch him if he startled.

"Finral, you alright?"

"I'm fine." Finral softly answered. "Just… fresh air."

Yami didn't give him enough credit. He lowered his hand and waited. Finral sighed and turned to Yami, giving him one of his fake smiles and soft, nervous chuckles. Finral knew he wasn't fooling Yami, but he tried anyway. Yami scowled and made his displeasure known.

"How long have I known you, Finral?"

"Too long."

"That doesn't work on me."

Finral shrugged, "Worth a try, though. I'm fine, Yami."

"You're out here alone while everyone's partying downstairs." Yami voiced his concerns. "That's not fine. Now what gives?"

Finral blew a frustrated sigh. He knew he couldn't escape once Yami started asking questions. He could've bailed, but he didn't want to ruin Yami's evening. Not only that, but he owed Yami a lot, and in more ways than he could count. He remained silent, still trying to figure out what he could tell Yami without destroying his evening.

He fell short.

He didn't know what to say.

"If you're not feeling up to it, fine by me." Yami mumbled, feeling Finral's distress. "Never been one to push you when you're not ready. You're not obligated to attend if you don't want to."

"It's not that." Finral blurted.

"Yeah?"

"I didn't tell you, but I went out this morning." He said, unable to stop the words coming from his mouth. He lifted his knees to his chest and embraced it. He couldn't look at Yami. "I went to the Golden Dawn to try and fix things with Langris."

"You can't be serious."

"It's stupid, I know."

"Now what I'm saying, Finral." Yami sighed. "Not faulting you for trying to make up with your baby brother, but I'm surprised you'd put yourself out there given the way he treats you."

"It's not that bad. I'm used to it."

"I'll pretend you didn't say that."

"Yami," Finral whined. "The only reason I went there was to give Langris a letter to apologize and greet him a new year, wishing that we could… fix things." He curled up and faked a laugh. "I asked if he wanted to spend the evening with me instead of… at home in Tota."

"How'd that turn up?"

"He didn't read it. He tore it in half in front of me." Yami stayed silent. He wasn't sure what he could tell Finral at this point. He heard Finral's voice trail unsteadily as he continued. "He told me he didn't want to hear or read any excuses I had to give. He wanted me to live with my decisions and leave it like that. Then he said he had somewhere to go and said his goodbye."

"And you went back here to mope?"

Finral sighed, "Yes."

"There's no reason for you to chase something that doesn't want to be chased, especially if it's rabid." Finral chuckled at that. Good. At least he could still put a smile on Finral's face. "Your brother can't see the same picture, and it'll probably take a lot more to give him a wakeup call, but I'm not telling you to give up."

"Huh?"

"Hope you realize that your brother's happiness ain't the only life line here. You don't have to trade your joy for his. It's not a one way thing, Finral. You can't give all of yourself and get nothing in return."

"But I'm not…"

Finral paused, unsure how to say it exactly. Maybe Yami was right. He looked at Yami, who was still staring at him. It was long and focused enough to make Finral turn red. He looked away and remained silent. Yami rolled his eyes, because Finral's always been like this.

Yami sighed, "You getting it yet?"

"Maybe."

"You still wanna mope, I'm all ears."

"But it's New Year's Eve." Finral pointed out. "Don't you want to go down and have fun?"

"Don't you?"

"I suppose, but…"

Finral stared at Yami, who was still looking at him funny. He was a straightforward guy and he never held back on his arguments. So it was a breath of fresh air to hear that coming from him. It was also nice to talk to someone other than Vanessa. She was a good listener and friend, but it was nice to get opinions from other people.

He sighed, "I just miss him, I guess?"

"Your bully of a brother?"

"Yami."

"Fine, no name calling."

"He's not always like that." Finral confessed. "He's nice too." Yami scoffed, because if tearing up a letter in front of someone who just gave it to you was nice, then Finral didn't know what the word meant. Finral ignored him. "He's always been quiet and calculating, and he's just… mad at me for leaving."

Yami corrected, "Leaving that abusive house?"

"In every way, he's still stuck in that house and it's my fault."

"So what?" Yami dismissed. "You plan to spend the evening with your family?"

"Huh? No!"

"Good, cause I might just tie you up right here." He huffed, feeling annoyed now. "You haven't gone there since you left, and I doubt you plan to spend a day there any time soon."

"It's just… I mean… Langris is there."

Yami palmed his face, because he really didn't want to be mushy before the New Year, but Finral needed to hear it. "You're a pretty open guy, Finral. You try to look on the bright side and protect your little brother, but you don't get it. You're not in control of his happiness. Your brother is. He's old enough to make his own decisions and I'm not saying it's wrong that you want to help him out… but think of yourself for a change."

"I know." He nodded. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize to me." Yami grumbled. "It's not my fault you're a mushy guy."

"I'm not mushy!"

"Tell that to your sappy dialogues."

Yami smiled when he saw the faint blush over Finral's cheeks. The earlier tension in his features was fading away. Yami brought a hand over Finral's head and ruffled his hair. Finral looked about ready to protest when Yami pulled away and stared at the sky.

"You may not think it's enough," He began. "But you're doing the best you can. I'm sure your brother appreciates the effort, even if it doesn't look like it."

Finral parted his lips, "Really?"

"Maybe."

Yami eyed him as Finral's eyes lit up. He chuckled and looked up at Yami. His lips curved into a sweet smile. "Thank you. I guess I needed that." Yami remained emotionless, but something was twisting in his gut. He pushed it aside and felt glad that Finral was out of his miserable rut.

Misery on Finral's face was wrong.

Yami opened his mouth to say one last thing, but the door to the roof opened. Some of the Bulls trickled out, pushing at one another. Vanessa had two bottles in her hand. "There you are!" She happily screamed. "You're just in time for the countdown! Are you two good?!"

"We're fine!" Finral smiled.

Yami grinned, because this time Finral wasn't lying. His spirit was happier and was now in a festive mood. Although Yami knew Langris was still in the back of Finral's mind, he knew Finral would be fine. Yami burst out laughing, "Let's celebrate!"

The Bulls cheered.

Suddenly, the building shook and Finral had to grab onto Yami to stop himself from falling over the edge. One of the floors of the rooftop opened up and Henry's room popped up. Charmy, along with her sheep friends, were sitting beside Henry eating and supplying him magic.

"You're missing out!" She screamed. "Come eat!"

Henry smiled, "Let's… party!"

The rest of the Bulls save Yami gathered around Henry. Everyone besides Finral and Vanessa took the food Charmy offered. After that, they each settled on certain spots on the rooftop where they could see the fireworks. Vanessa and Finral were together. Gauche, Magna, Luck, and Charmy settled comfortably next to Henry, while Gordon and Grey found a good spot by the railing.

"It's almost midnight!" Vanessa cheered. "Let's drink and have fun!"

Finral chuckled when Vanessa dragged him close and offered him a bottle. He looked at Yami and smiled, then turned his attention back to Vanessa. She crept up close and whispered into Finral's ear, "I take it whatever has you down in the dumps is gone now?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "I'm fine."

"That's good." She smiled. "Now why don't you go over there?"

"I already was."

Yami glanced back at everyone, but his eyes lingered at Finral and Vanessa. They continued to whisper to each other while Vanessa tried to push Finral into doing something. He smiled. Yami knew Finral was in good hands. He remained seated and stared up at the sky and lit up a cigarette. Not even a moment later, he felt someone sit next to him.

It was Finral.

"What?" He blushed. "I'm not about to give up my good spot."

Yami snorted, "That's it, huh?"

Finral handed him a bowl of food as he played around with his own. "You're right," He mumbled. "Langris is old enough to make his own decisions. I'm probably just being annoying, but I can't help but feel worried. But I know you're right. I just… I guess I just don't want him to spend the year like that… in that same place."

"Trust your brother to make the right choices." Yami huffed, pushing his food around. "He survived the couple years without you. He'll survive the next few more."

"You're right." He nodded.

"It's almost time!" Vanessa screamed. "Let's count down!"

The Bulls did, and together they shouted.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Fireworks went off from a distance while Magna and Luck started making their own. Gauche wanted a rematch on the gambling game they did earlier and tried to haul the two back into Henry's room, creating more of a mess. Charmy was already helping Henry deal with the cards. Vanessa was so drunk that she was trying to get both Gordon and Grey to drink with her. They both look like they couldn't refuse.

Yami called Finral, "Still moping?"

Finral shook his head and laughed, "It's hard to think about it." His face softened as he turned back to the sky. "I'm just wondering if Langris is experiencing the same chaos."

"It's New Year." Yami voiced. "I doubt he's alone."

That gave Finral some hope. Yet, there was still a small nagging part of him that wanted to check up on his brother in Tota. However, the need to spend it having a good time with the Bulls overruled his worries. After all, it was difficult to worry when you had amazing friends you could call family.

Especially when Vanessa jumped him from behind and nearly took them both to an early grave. Yami just laughed at them.

Finral joined in along with the rest of the Bulls.

Yes, this was home.

oOo

"You can also check this story out on AO3"

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Thank you!