"Over waves and deep in the blue, I will give up my heart for you,"
Axel snorted in amusement at Kid Flash's usual annoyance with magick. "You know, I'll bet there's loads of people that think your speed comes from magick." He teased. "Bet that drives you nuts."
The young Ocean Dragon gave a brief smile, before shifting around in the open room. He left himself curled in a semicircle in front of Yuya, so he wasn't leaving the red eyed male trapped with his body. "I'd been a big fan of yours since before we met. Playing Duel Monsters wasn't a big interest of mine, but watching matches was always really exciting. When Dueltaining became popular, I started enjoying it even more. So.. meeting you was.. like a dream come true." Lapis explained, smiling small but warm. "And after hanging out for a while, I realized that Duel Monsters had nothing to do with why I enjoy being your friend. You're bubbly, and you always think of others, and you brighten up every room you're in. And.. I.. I love that about you, Yuya."
"Wait- who thinks my powers come from magick?" Kid Flash demanded, earning a good number of chuckles and giggles from the other members. "So... I know this goes without saying, but we're keeping Lapis' secret between us, right?" Kestrel couldn't help but ask, smirking at the knowing looks the group sent her. "Just making sure!" She huffed in amusement.
Yuya could feel his whole face going red, his heart beating just a touch faster at Lapis' words. He used the L-word with him! Well, about him, but still-! It made his heart leap into his throat. "Well... you're bubbly too! You're sweet, thoughtful, warm," He listed off in a bit of a nervous ramble. "And really, really... nice." He finished off with a sheepish chuckle. His face still a blushing mess. He said all that... and he meant it, he meant it all.
"Hear my voice, sing with the tide, my love will never die,"
Axel gave an appreciative smile to the group. "Good, cause I think his brother would kill me if he found out I spilled the beans." He said with a small chuckle of his own.
Lapis chuckled softly. It wasn't visible through his scales, but his own face grew warm as Yuya rambled on. "Do.. you think.. we could be more than friends?" He asked, suddenly nervous that the pounding of his heart was too loud.
"I'd go to Hell and back with you, stay lost in what we found..."
"Ah don't worry, we'd keep you safe." Robbie chuckled good naturedly. Safe for the uneasiness he felt with Kestrel, the young man could... confidently-ish, say he was comfortable with the Team and they vice versa with him. Although... "Guys? Didn't Hadal say something about reporting back to him in a few hours?" The other teens stilled. Just how long had they been hanging out as per requested of their den mother?
Eh? "Eh?" Yuya paused in his ramblings, well his second half of ramblings as he looked at Lapis with wide eyes. Was... was Lapis asking him what he thought he was asking him? The teen stared at the Ocean Dragon for a good solid minute, his face still a blushing mess like before. "Are... are you suggesting we... date?" Dating someone like Lapis-! This blue haired male, who radiated sunshine energy and kindness he could put a Disney protagonist of the earlier films- to shame?!
"So if it's real then darlin' let me know, I wouldn't mind if you steal the show,"
"We should probably get back.." Axel said. "Or we'll all be grounded."
"I-if that's too weird- I mean- I'm not Human, so.." Lapis looked away nervously, suddenly wishing he hadn't even asked. What if Yuya said no?! What if they couldn't be friends anymore!?
Before he could regret this choice, he was suddenly regretting the choice to run off earlier when he heard a familiar voice break the silence of the Duel School like thunder. "Lapis? You in here?"
As Lance stuck his head into the room, he spotted Yuya and Lapis. His younger brother looked a bit frazzled, but otherwise fine, and the blond was none the wiser to the fact that Lapis had been in his Dragon form a moment earlier.
"Even if a light goes up, I don't wanna know reality..."
The Team all scrambled- no doubt to find the nearest Zeta Tubes. Although, they didn't seem too nervous and/or anxious. It didn't take a genius to know that they would come down here to help find Lapis all over again if they needed to.
Yuya had started to say something, only to let out a startled noise when hearing Lance's voice- geeze! It was like thunder struck! The red eyed teen blanched when the blonde poked his head in and- he was calm. Why? Glancing back subtly, he mentally breathed easier when seeing Lapis was back in his Human form. He changed quickly- oh wait! Lance! "Hey Lance!" Yuya greeted happily, soon looping his arm through Lapis', "What brings you by?" Better yet... how did he know Lapis was here...?
By the time the Team was back, Hadal had gotten so invested in his personal work that he didn't seem like he'd even noticed how long they'd been out. "Ah, I see everyone has returned with their limbs attached. Good." He remarked as he added some finishing touches on his work. "My skills in healing magick are abysmal." He added in with an amused hum.
"Jeeze.." Lance muttered to himself as he quickly walked over to the pair. "Hi Yuya- Lapis, I've been looking all over the city for you. Claire and Mika have been worried sick."
Lapis ducked his head when his older brother started scolding him. Yuya's arm wrapped around his own was a much needed comfort, but even that good feeling went away when Lapis saw the disapproval in Lance's green eyes. Suddenly Lapis remembered why they'd fought in the first place. "..I was just helping Yuya close up the school for the day." Lapis said in a mumble. He felt guilty lying to Lance, but telling the truth felt worse.
"Glad to know you missed us." Robin chuckled once they made it all back. Thank goodness he didn't seem bothered that they had been gone so long... or he didn't notice. Either way it was a nice win.
"Yeah! I was looking over my cards when Lapis came by, glad he did- it takes a good little bit to close up." The Dueltainer easily latched onto Lapis' story, more than happy to play along. "Lots of lights to turn off, sometimes I forget that." Yuya chuckled a bit, still keeping his arm looped with Lapis' own. Although... he didn't like how Lapis' mood went down because Lance showed up. He wondered what happened... he'd ask the blue haired male later. And hopefully give him a clear cut response to what he said earlier.
"What're you working on?" Axel couldn't help but ask, blinking in surprise when his question prompted a heavy sigh from the League Member. "When I'm not working as a member of the League, I am often commissioned by the residents of Moriandus to craft magickal artifacts. This one I'm currently working on has been a nightmare, but thank Posideon I'm nearly done." Hadal explained. "...Moriandus?" Axel questioned again, even more confused.
"Alright, well, how long till you guys are done?" Lance asked. "I-I promised Yuya I'd walk him home after, so you don't have to wait around for us." Lapis was quick to insist. Lance raised an eyebrow skeptically, before looking to Yuya.
"Test my reality, check if there's a weak spot..."
"Oh no." Kid Flash groaned a bit. "Moriandus? I've heard rumors of that place." Miss Martian commented happily as she quickly floated over, "Is it true that any mystical being resides there?" The redhead female questioned, a bright grin on her face.
"Should I know about this place?" Robbie couldn't help but whisper out to no one in particular. "It's a big secret kind of a place... I never knew until recently." Conner confessed to Robbie in his own whisper.
"Yeah, do you mind?" Yuya asked Lance with a reassuring smile. "Mom's probably worried about me now, and I know she'd really like to meet Lapis." The teen continued. Hopefully Lance would let them go- and then hopefully, he'd have a real talk with Lapis...
Hadal glanced between Axel and Robbie, before putting his things down and standing up from his workbench. "Yes, beings of all kind- magickal or not- make their homes within Moriandus." He answered Miss Martian's question. "I'll save a full lecture for another day, but Moriandus itself is a relatively small realm of of magick. It's kingdom is young, only having existed for a little over 60 years, but it has become known as a haven for those who would otherwise be hunted on Earth. I myself found refuge there many years ago, which has essentially made me the middle man for affairs between Moriandus' kingdom and the Justice League."
The overprotective blond looked like he wanted to object, but after a moment he let out a small sigh. "Call me when you're on your way home, alright?" He asked Lapis. The blue eyed male smiled gratefully and quickly nodded. "I will. I promise." He said. Nodding back, Lance gave a brief good night to Yuya and made his way out of the school
Kestrel sucked in a sharp breath and she swiftly walked over, "Please tell me there are Dragons living there." She just about begged, "Maybe your cryptid Riders are there too." Kid Flash teased, unbothered by the glare Kestrel sent him, before the brunette paused. "Actually-"
"I was kidding!" The speedster regarded in disbelief when seeing that expression on her face. "No! It makes sense! The first Rider was spotted years ago, no one's ever managed to get close to them- not to mention how quickly they can vanish- what if the Riders actually live in Moriandus?"
The Team sent her concerned and worried looks. "... yeah, I doubt that." Robin patted her shoulder, and Kestrel deflated a little with a sigh. "... yeah, probably not.."
Yuya didn't breathe easier until Lance left, nearly sagging against Lapis in the process. "That was too close..." He sighed softly in relief. "Come on." He lightly tugged on the blue haired male as he started to head out of the room, making sure to turn off the light too in the process. "... we're still walking to my place... aren't we?" Yuya questioned Lapis hopefully.
An amused look crossed his face when Kestrel jabbered on excitedly. "Well I can't say I've seen a Rider in Moriandus, but a small handful of Dragons do live in Moriandus." Hadal confirmed. "Really?" Axel asked in surprise. "Yes. They mainly keep to themselves, though. Most Dragons keep away from Humanity, safe within their own home."
The disguised Dragon let out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding, laughing nervously once Lance was gone. "Way too close..." He agreed as he walked next to Yuya as they left the school. "I promised, didn't I?" He said with a soft grin.
"Drat."
Robbie snorted in amusement at the disappointed look on the brunette's face. Although he wasn't sure if it was for one reason or the other- or even both. "You spoke of a future lecture you will be giving us on Moriandus?" Aqualad couldn't help but question curiously.
Yuya blinked a few times, his face flushing once more underneath the streetlights before he slowly smiled. He nodded happily in response, walking just a bit closer to Lapis, his arm still wrapped around his own. "To answer your question earlier though... I'd like for us to be more- well, more than friends."
Hadal nodded, tucking his hands into his pockets. "As one of your den mothers, I take the responsibility of helping mold you all into heros for this world to be proud of very seriously. One of the ways I plan to do that is to make sure you're all well equipped with the knowledge of the world of magick- and I know how that must sound to you, Kid, but if you're going to be avidly against the subject, you might as well be informed on it." Hadal added in with a cheeky smirk. "The League has no jurisdiction in Moriandus, but we do keep our eyes on it. I don't see why you can't be informed as well."
"R-really...?" Lapis whispered, his eyes wide with awe. With his anxiety of Lance showing up out of the blue, he'd completely forgotten that he'd asked that question at all.
"I pirouette in the dark, I see the stars through a mirror..."
Kid Flash fought back another grumble. Honestly, with school starting soon- the last thing he wanted was to sit around and listen about a magic fantasy land. At least his science class this year looked promising. "Can I not be reminded of being educated? I go back to school in a little while." He huffed a bit. "Besides, if you're gonna teach us about Moriandus, wouldn't it be better for us to actually see it instead?" He couldn't help but question before slowly smirking.
"... why can't we?" He suggested, earning surprised looks from the Team.
Yuya nodded sheepishly, his face still flushed. "Well... you're a really sweet guy Lapis, plus you're really handsome-" He gulped nervously. "You could probably date anyone, but... you like me, you trust me." He listed off with a sheepish grin. "Plus, I already have a crush on you so- this is like icing on the cake." Yuya confessed.
Hadal slowly raised an eyebrow. "You'd rather I take you to Moriandus?" He questioned the redhead in yellow and red. "I mean, it definitely sounds interesting." Axel admitted.
"Got a better way of making your lectures- even more interesting than they usually are?" Kid Flash regarded, quickly adding in that last little bit when seeing the curious look Miss Martian sent him.
"A class field trip would be interesting." Kestrel pointed out with a small grin.
"Have you seen yourself in the mirror?" Yuya couldn't help but tease with a warm chuckle, no longer feeling so shy or embarrassed anymore. He got Lapis to blush- him! "Cute smile, nice jaw structure, and don't get me started on your eyes." He continued simply with a small grin, "So yes, handsome." Yuya tacked on shamelessly.
The Siren gave a heavy sigh. "We'll see, but do not get your hopes up." He said. "While I value my privacy, my identity as Hadal isn't exactly a secret to some in Moriandus. I'd have to request permission from the Queen and her council before I bring eight other heroes into her realm. And that's assuming she says yes."
"Is it really that big a deal if a couple of heroes spend their day off in the kingdom?" Axel asked. "The Queen and the council are critical about the security and secrecy of the realm. Ten years ago it wouldn't have been an issue, but.. well that was a different time. Bringing you all into Moriandus without her approval could make her question if the League is trying to... overstep boundaries." Hadal remarked cautiously. "We don't want that."
The disguised Dragon blinked, and suddenly Yuya could hear a rumbling coming from Lapis that could only be described as purring. "I-I always thought you were the one with stunning eyes and a sweet smile." He confessed, watching the sidewalk sheepishly, face still flushed red.
