Give and Receive

Disclaimer- I do not own Yu-gi-oh Gx or its characters. Just my own :)

Plot Summary- As Zane's 22nd birthday is approaching, he starts becoming secretive around Aster. Is he unhappy about the relationship? Or is it something else completely.

Note- This time, I've made the rating an M— in case I decide to do a lemon somewhere along the line. Still not sure if I will, but better safe than sorry, thanks!

Chapter 1: Receive

Zane's POV

My hands were numb from clutching to the exam table. The breath narrowly escaping past my lips as I recovered from an invisible punch. I couldn't believe the words the doctor had just said, but at the same time, I knew I had heard him clear as day. The feeling was more agonizing then I could have ever imagined.

And all the doctor could do was look 'sympathetic'. "I'm sorry it came to this Zane, but I think it's important for you to know that when your aneurysm occurred—we didn't think you'd even make it?"

"And that makes it better?" I asked rhetorically. The doctor had no answer; he just started at me with the sad, dumb, look on his face. "Dueling is my life; it's what I've always wanted to do. And now you're telling me I can't?"

Today was supposed to be the day I'd get my clean bill of health. Something to show the pro league that I was okay to duel again. This was just—too soul-crushingly ironic. I was expecting to walk away with a seal of approval to duel. Instead, I was given a choice of dueling or death.

"With the current state of your heart, you could have a heart-attack if you duel. You may be able to duel in year or so, but…." The doctor paused, and I glared at him. He had already said it, might has well repeat it. "It's even more possible that you'll never be able to duel again."

"I'll finish signing your prescription. I am very sorry…But at least you're alive." He turned and left me alone to wallow in my sorrow. The feeling was starting to come back into my hands but I couldn't appreciate it. It felt like I was robbed.

What was I going to do with my life now? Sit around and watch t.v.? Get an office job? Neither one sounded appealing.

It felt like my life was over.

My spirits picked up slightly when I entered the waiting room and saw Aster Phoenix; sitting cross-legged in a chair reading a gossip magazine; his face seemed more amused by the ridiculousness of these stories rather then the information he received. When I walked up to him, he looked up and smiled.

"How'd it go?" Aster asked. There weren't a lot of times when I wished I could keep something from my young boyfriend. I knew him well enough to know that any secret I kept would make him mad. I also knew it would hurt him, and I loved him too much to want to inflict any kind of pain on him. The only the past few months of my life have been bearable and even enjoyable was because he was living with me.

But this was hard for me to handle. Aster had gotten his clean bill of health almost a month ago. He had managed to wean himself off his pain medication—and it's been awhile since he's needed his anxiety pills. I felt a twinge of guilt and jealously. Guilt because I had been the reason he had to take a break from dueling in the first place, jealous because he had recovered from it and I hadn't.

He frowned when I took too long to answer. I couldn't tell him the truth, but couldn't lie either. "Zane, what's wrong?"

"Can we just leave, please?" I said, knowing if I didn't, I'd have a panic attack in front of everyone. And if their day was anything like mine, that was the last thing they needed.

He put down the magazine and got up. "Okay, that's fine. Let's go."

()

I explained to Aster what had happened while riding in the back of our chauffeured car. It's been awhile since I've felt well enough to drive and Aster didn't have his license, though he did have his learner permit (he had decided to learn to drive after his injuries had healed). Right now, I was too upset to watch him while he drove and he felt more obligated to tend to me, than have the chauffeur give him pointers.

"Oh god, Zane…That really sucks." He said in the most comforting way possible. I appreciated the fact that he didn't try to cover it with 'I'm sorry' or something else uncharacteristic. His honesty was one of the many things I liked about him. "How likely is it that you won't ever duel again?"

I sighed, my voice heavy with depression. "He didn't exactly say, but it sounded pretty damn likely."

"But there's a chance?" He asked hopefully. At least someone was holding on; I didn't try to fight what had happened. Really, I was lucky that I got what time I did get to duel. I did shock my body half to death more times than I cared to count. Aster took my expression for an answer and leaned back. "You know, maybe if you can't duel anymore, you could take up a coaching position. That wouldn't be too bad would it?"

Bad? No. But it wouldn't be good enough either. Not when you've spent all your childhood preparing to go to duel academy, all your time at duel academy preparing for the pro leagues, and destroying yourself when you reached the pro leagues. I didn't want someone else to achieve that dream, I wanted to achieve it. Now it was all slipping through my fingers.

We stopped in front of our apartment complex, but Aster didn't get out. "I have to run an errand."

I raised an eyebrow. "Do you want me to go with you?" He leaned over to kiss my cheek. His warm lips momentarily numbing any pain I felt.

"You need to rest; I'll be home in a little while, okay?" I nodded gently and kissed his lips gently. There was a lot of relief in conveying my emotions in a physical matter. And I needed this kind of therapy. But he pulled away slowly and smiled wickedly. "I'll hurry back."

"You better." I said in a husky tone. A smile drew across my lips for the first time that night. I closed the car door and entered the apartment. I briefly stopped to get the mail and made the elevator ride up to my apartment. I wasn't as depressed as before but it was still swirling in my head. I still felt angry and sad about what had happened. And I wasn't sure if that feeling would ever go away. Could I only hope that it'd get better?

When I entered the apartment, I set the mail on the coffee table and dropped onto the couch. My hands running over my face and through my hair. Out of the mail stack, something caught my attention. It was a transparent DVD case with an unmarked disc in it. I picked it up to get a better look at it. There was no mailing address on it. Someone must have dropped it off personally.

I almost didn't watch it, but figured it must have good if someone took the time to drop it off. I got up and put it in the DVD player. It came on just as I sat back down on the couch.

A girl appeared. She was no older than 20 but no younger than 16. Long, stringy black hair draped over her body, but through that I could see that her figure was a little boyish. She was thin, but her hips and breasts barely stuck out. Yet, her blue eyes held a cat like shape that only a woman could posses. It didn't go beyond my notice that she was taller than most women were. She was dressed in a black top and a plaid skirt with black tights underneath.

"Hello Mr. Truesdale!" She said with an enthusiastic but nervous smile. "My name is Evelyn Frances and well, I'm a huge fan! I love watching you duel." Yeah, join the club sweetheart.

"Anyway, I know this is highly unusual, but I'd like to think of this as an audition… I sent this video in hopes of becoming your apprentice, a protégée if you will." I leaned forward as she continued to speak. "I want to learn everything from you and hopefully with your help, become a dueling sensation. And before you toss this aside, I'd like to show you footage of my previous dueling experiences."

The video switched over to a duel arena. Evelyn was dueling against various people and—doing it quite well. It was obvious the girl had a lot of potential, but there were moments where I could see how she would need improvement. She wasn't a super star yet; but she defiantly had the stuff to be one.

As I watched her, I was reminded of Aster when he was around 15. How confident and cocky he was. Not only did he think he was the best; he thought he owed the duel arena. This girl held herself a similar way and although for an amateur it could be a little annoying, she did it in a way that was a little charming. The video switched back to her.

"If you're interested at all, please call 188-555-0407 between March 12th and March 26th." March 12th was today's date. "Otherwise, I'll assume you don't want to participate. I hope to hear from you soon, and if not, thanks anyway for watching!"

The T.V. went black as I shut the t.v. off. I squeezed the remote in my hand. Hadn't Aster suggested that I take a coaching job? Maybe this was a sign or something. She did have a lot of talent and I would hate for someone to miss out on an opportunity that I ruined for myself.

I wasn't sure if I would call her. But I wrote the number down on a piece of junk mail, and gave myself the night to think about it. Even though in my head, I already knew what my decision would be.

Aster's POV

The ring shinned against the velvet red pillow. It was just like new. The gold clean and a healthy yellow while the symbols were deep and edged in perfection. It was just as amazing as when my father wore it on his own finger.

"I assumed you're pleased with the restoration, Mr. Phoenix?" The Jeweler asked me. This being the same Jeweler from whom Zane bought my Phoenix necklace, and then had rebuilt after Ollie's hit and run. My pocket watch was like new and it inspired me to have my father's favorite ring (besides his wedding ring) restored.

This ring was a gift from my mother from when she was pregnant with me. She had given it to him as a symbol for change; the beginning of their family, and a future which shimmered just as brightly as gold. My father wore it everyday on his left hand, promising me everyday that I would receive it when I was old enough.

"Very pleased." I agreed. I picked up the ring—treating it like expensive glass. Around the outside the Latin phrase Te valde amo ac simper amabo was inscribed. The phrase bore a simple meaning. I love you very much, and always will forever. I picked it for both my dad and Zane. It was similar to the things my father said to me when he would tuck me into bed or I was upset about something; yet it easily translated into the things Zane said to me after we made love or we were caught up in a moment. It was nice without being too sappy. "I'm sure he'll love it."

"If you don't mind me asking…Is this a…engagement ring?" The jeweler asked meekly. I felt a laugh choke up my throat. I wasn't the marrying type. I valued my independence too much for that and I'm sure Zane felt about the same. Honestly, it just seemed kind of pointless when we were happy the way we were.

Yet, why did I pick this ring and leave my dad's wedding ring untouched? Was there a part of me that would consider marriage one day? No, I didn't think so. It was probably more of a personal thing. My dad's wedding ring belonged too much to him to let go. This ring felt like it was half mine since it was to celebrate my birth.

"No, it's just kind of a 'thanks-for-being-around' ring. I'm not really looking to bag a husband." The jeweler nodded and put the ring in a neat little box.

"I understand, it's just usually if someone doesn't have a lot of money or if they want a proposal to be more sentimental they'll have an old family ring restored." He handed me the box—it felt like a ton in my hand. "Thank you once again for your business."

I nodded and put the ring box in my jacket pocket. Maybe this would pick Zane's spirits up a bit. I figured that the doctor would probably make him wait out the season before he could duel again—I didn't think he'd tell him to prepare for retirement. I think the biggest thing about it was that Zane had done it to himself (well, okay Ollie had his part, but Zane's heart wasn't healthy before it happened). He was almost 22, and his dueling career was over.

Actually, he was ten days away from being 22. That was the whole reason I had the ring restored. It was going to be his birthday present. Now I was wondering if I should give it to him early.

I was pleasantly surprised however when I arrived home. Zane pushed me against the door and claimed my lips in a passionate kiss. I was afraid he would feel the ring box, but he seemed oblivious to that.

I shivered as he licked my lips. "Someone's feeling better…"

"Let's just say I have a lot of energy and I need you to get rid of it." There was a dark almost desperate look in his eyes. He was still sad, but his anger and … renewed hope? Was driving him now. This would be a long night.

"I think I can comply…" I gently pushed him back and forced him to sit on the couch. I placed my knees on the outside of his legs and draped my arms around him.

I decided to give him a bit of a show—after all, he was feeling down. Plus, it was a good way to get rid of the ring before he noticed. I brought my hand on to my shoulder and gently rubbed underneath it. Zane watched with hunger as I slipped the jacket from one should than the other. It fell to the ground and away from his touch. The ring's secret would be safe for now.

I started unbuttoning my shirt, going about as slow as I could go. Zane began to grow frustrated which made me smirk. I was on the second button.

"Impatient are we?"

"Take the damn shirt off Aster." He said in a thirsty voice. I laughed gently in his ear and freed my second button.

"Why do I have to do everything? If you want it off…you take it off." I gently nipped at his earlobe which pushed him off the edge. His hands grabbed my shirt and ripped it a part. He threw it away from my body and grabbed my waist, forcing me down on the couch.

He pinned over me, kissing my lips until they bruised. I moaned excited for the night we had in store. "I'm going to make you rethink those words hero…"

I can guarantee you right now, they'd be no thinking. Only a strong emotion of passion, a lot of it.

Here's the first chapter! Hope you all enjoyed it. Many of the reviews for Fun and Games have inspired the plotline for this story, so thank you again for your constant support!