Live and Learn

Disclaimer: I do not own the show Yu-gi-oh GX or its characters.

Plot Summary- After giving up his persona as Hell Kaiser, Zane Truesdale doesn't really have much to live for. But what happens when his high school crush and his sister need a place to stay?

Note: Prequel to Fun and Games—this is basically the story of what happened between Atticus and Zane, so rather than being a ZaneXAster fic. This is a ZaneXAtticus coupling.

Chapter 1: Life

Zane's POV

Life had become so different than I thought. Back at duel academy, I was the number one student and most popular guy during those days. People would kill for the chance to be in my circle or hang off my shoulder. Those people didn't matter to me though—just the satisfaction of knowing I was the best.

But the people like Jaden, Alexis….Atticus. They mattered. Their absence during my losing streak contributed to what I had become. But did that give me the right to do it? To force my brother into a cruel sick game? To make Atticus feel the pain that I had inflicted on him? Had they abandoned me? Or did my fall from power make me delusional. Regardless of the answer, I would never forgive myself.

I set the dark coat on top of my white duel academy uniform and closed the box up. Just another part of my life, sealed away to be forgotten. I wouldn't forget it though. Even when I packed the box into the back of my hallway closet, I knew I wouldn't forget it. The memories haunted me every night; sometimes they struck me in the middle of the day. Not to mention, I now had a bad heart to show for it.

My hand fell against my heart—not so long ago, I just wanted to die. After finding out that all the shock treatment I had endured during my years of dueling in the underground had caused my heart to become defective and unhealthy, all I wanted was a great last duel. But after seeing my friends again, and watching my own brother surpass me. I realized I couldn't leave this world yet, I had too many things to do.

I closed the closet door; happy to leave my memories there for eternity.

Almost the minute I closed the door, I heard knocking at my apartment door. I jumped, a little startled by the noise. No one came to visit me. Usually, if I hung out with someone, it was at a restaurant or the duel arena. My apartment was supposed to be my own little sanctuary. The place where I was use to Hell Kaiser's preference to be alone.

Well, I wasn't going to find out by playing guessing games. I crossed my living and opened my door. I was even more surprised to see who was behind the door.

"Hey Zaney!" I couldn't believe it. Why would they ever want to speak to me again after the way I treated them? Atticus and Alexis stood at my doorway. Atticus wearing that flashy Hawaiian shirt and charming grin he always wore and Alexis standing calmly but—somehow happy to see me. "Guess who just graduated!"

I switched the glances between two of them—unsure at first of what to say or do. Atticus seemed content with doing all the talking. He thrusted a wine bottle into my hands. "Times up! We both did! And now we want to celebrate with the former Obelisk king himself."

"How…did you know where I lived?" I asked. They both seemed dumbfounded that those would be the first words I said to them instead of 'happy to see you' or the more traditional 'congrats!'.

Alexis tugged on Atticus's jacket. "Maybe coming here was a bad idea…"

The hurt in her eyes made me feel guilty. Way to go Zane, seems all your good for is breaking hearts. "No no, I'm really happy to see you both; I'm just…surprised you'd want to see. Please, come in."

I stepped aside and let them in, praying that the tension would fade as soon as they came in. It didn't. Atticus looked around my apartment. "Eh, guess you haven't had a lot of time for decorating, huh?"

"Atticus…" Alexis warned. At least she was trying to be understanding of my current state. "How have you've been Zane?"

What was I suppose to say? Terrible? Bad? When in the past couple years has it ever been a good time? Hell, even 'been better' was a half-assed description. "Can't complain." I took the wine bottle into the kitchen and glanced at it. Did I even have wine glasses? Sure, I'd drink occasionally, but that was out at the clubs where they were too afraid of me to ask for I.D—never at home. It was too depressing even for the former Hell Kaiser.

I opened the cabinet and to my surprise, there were four glasses ready for use. I pulled them down and opened the wine. Pouring a little into each glass and delivering them to my friends.

"This should lighten the mood." I said. Atticus chuckled and I dared to smile back. An actual smile. Something I hadn't done in a very long time. "So, how does it feel to be graduates?"

"Haven't you been there?" Alexis asked, making herself cozy on the couch. "It's great; but I can hardly believe it's true. It seems to be all I've wanted for the past four years."

Atticus gave up his search of finding any piece of personality in my apartment. He sat down next to his sister and leaned over her. "Enough about us. I want to talk about you. What have you been up to buddy?"

And there it was. The reason why I was so surprised these two wanted anything to do with me. What have I been up to? I've been packing away that prick Hell Kaiser after finding out that I've literally totaled my heart while trying to make myself at least well enough to get through a duel without my heart stopping. Did I think I was being cheated? Hell no. I deserved all of it. But why would they even want to be near me after what I did to Atticus and Syrus? Who would want me after seeing what kind of a monster I was?

Even with Atticus smiling at me and joking around like old times, all I could see was dragon mask. All I could hear are my harsh words, essentially telling my friend that I didn't care about anyone—including him.

But that was a few years ago—maybe they've all forgiven me after going into the alternate dimension. It certainly did change me.

Realizing I had remained silent for too long, I cleared my throat. "I've been making changes…Changes I should have made a long time ago." And that's all I said about the subject. That's all I needed to say.

I took a sip of wine; it was surprisingly tasteful and defiantly sweeter than most of the other wines I've had. Atticus relaxed back to his seat. Eventually, we talked more freely—we started reminiscing about our days at duel academy. Some of our stories revolved around Jaden, many others were about the three of us and our old friends. It sounded like we were reciting a book that we had read many times before. It was pleasant—it was better than that—it was fun.

"Hey Atticus, we should get going if we want to find a motel." Alexis said. Atticus tried to focus on his younger sister but his eyes were hazy from the wine. Alexis had only had one glass so that she could get them home.

"Motel?" I asked; feeling a little tipsy myself. "You don't….don't need a motel. You guys can stay here…"

The idea, which I normally would have discarded (or thought I would anyway), sounded pretty good to me at the time. After all, when was the last time I was this relaxed? It's been awhile. Having Alexis and Atticus could be good for me.

Alexis raised an eyebrow; which I found uncharacteristically hilarious at the time. "Are you sure? We don't want to be a bother and….we kind of need a place to stay until we make it high enough in the pro leagues. It shouldn't take too long but… Where we would sleep?"

"You and Atticus could take the rollout couch…Or…Atti and I could take my bed and you get the rollout. As long as I keep my bed, I'm happy." Atticus seemed as equally amused as I was. He laughed and lifted his hand up.

"Alright Zane! We're all going to be roommates! It will be just like old times except no adult supervision." We both laughed and leaned against the seat. Alexis rolled her eyes and stood up.

"Well, if that's the case, than…I guess I'm going to get our bags then—Since Atticus can barely stand on his own two feet. I'll be right back." Alexis said, getting up and walking out the door. I was too busy smirking like an idiot, reminding myself that I should get drunk more often.

"Zane…." Atticus half-groaned as he looked up over the arm of my couch. I turned my head to him. "Did you mean what you said? About us sharing a bed?"

I was appalled at the statement. "Atti…of course you can crash on my bed. It'd be just like old times."

"Yeah it totally would! Like when you and I would cram and I'd just stay over at your room." Atticus sighed. "Awesome times, man…Awesome times."

By the time Alexis returned, I was completely ready for bed. Atticus and I walked into my bedroom. I used the bathroom first; emptying the contents of my stomach in the process. When it was Atticus's turn; I knew he did the same.

We were both pretty tired when Atticus flopped down next to me; still smiling like an idiot.

"Thanks for letting us stay here Zane." He nuzzled his head into the pillow and yawned.

"No problem. I'm just happy to have you back." I said quietly, the heavy effects of exhaustion mixed with alcohol taking effect. "I….I've really missed you."

I'm not sure if he heard me but if he did, he didn't respond. He fell asleep and was snoring loudly. My friendly, drunk alter-ego shrugged and switched to my side, ready to join the world of deep sleep.

I don't know what would come to bother me more later on—the fact that I had told Atticus that I, the cold and dismissive Zane Truesdale, had missed him—or that it was true. More true than I ever would have thought before that night.

Atticus's POV

Ouch—head hurts, head hurts...Okay, better now. Now that my eyes have adjusted to the brightness, it doesn't hurt so much. Man, did I have a party last night.

I shifted in the bed and groaned, rubbing my eyes. Why was I in a bed? Alexis's must have gotten me to the motel last night—poor sis. I guess I'll have to make it up to her sometime. It wasn't like I planned to get drunk at Zane's apartment. Come to think of it, I was almost sure he'd shut the door in our faces the moment we arrived. After all, even though Zane Truesdale liked the Rhodes siblings, Hell Kaiser only saw them as annoyances.

Wait, if this was a motel bed, why did it feel so cozy? I glanced around and noticed three things. One, this place looked more like a bedroom than a motel room. Two, Alexis was nowhere in sight. And three—Zane was sleeping right beside me.

We never left. Zane let us stay over.

The drunken, hazy memory came back to me. By the end of the night, Zane was completely drunk off his ass. So drunk, that he had kindly offered to let us stay at his apartment. I sighed; I would have expected as much from the old Zane. The guy from duel academy who laughed as I tried to pick up guys and girls alike. The same guy who got me out of trouble time in and time out. The guy who took care of my sister when I wasn't around to do so. I literally loved that guy.

I didn't believe he was gone until the day I dueled him. I had seen him on t.v. but figured it was just some charade. I descended into the darkness with him, hoping somehow that would compel him to leave with me; little did I know it wasn't the darkness had made him who he was; it was winning. The need to be the best. The one thing that seemed to haunt him even when we were younger. It devastated me—how could this to our friends? My sister? Me? I may never know how.

Zane stirred beside me and screwed his eyes shut. He groaned. "I feel like I've been hit by a truck…"

"Try a bottle of wine." I joked quietly. Zane's eyes flew opened. He sat up quickly and shot me a horrified look. I smiled, I probably shouldn't but, when am I going to get an opportunity like this again? "Come on, it wasn't that bad…best sex of my life."

Zane practically tripped out of the bed. He got up from the floor quickly and landed back first against his dresser. I cracked up despite my headache. Zane narrowed his eyes. "Funny Atticus, glad to see nothings change."

"Oh come on, lighten up...You're the one who invited me to bed last night." He seemed to contemplate this—wondering if it was truth or myth. Why else would I be here if he didn't invite me? "Don't you remember?"

"I remember the wine…not much else after that." He grumbled. He was calm enough that he lifted himself off the dresser. "Is there something I'm missing here?"

"You invited Lexi and I to stay here while we got back on our feet." I explained. He seemed to draws blanks for just a moment before his face relaxed. Oh good, now he remembered. Now the question was would he make good on his drunken promise.

I watched as he contemplated the situation. Thinking of all the different ways he could handle it. It was just like at duel academy; while Zane would duel everyone would wonder just what he was thinking about. They never knew because well, he always had the same indifferent face. But I always knew what he was up to. He was busy calculating different strategies; trying to find the one that would work the best.

It actually made me a little mad; did Zane really not want us around that much? We've stuck by him through so much and now after he offered to take us in, he's considering throwing us out? I wouldn't give him the option.

"Look, Lex and I will be out of your hair in no time. Just let us get cleaned up and dressed and…"

"No, you can stay." Zane decided. I looked him over closely; trying to decide if he meant it or if he was just honoring his word. "I invited you guys to stay; the least I can do after everything is share my home with you both. You'll just…"

He paused, not sure of how to say it. Not that it mattered; I was still watching him with careful, disbelieving eyes. "You'll just have to remember I'm not use to having people around anymore."

I didn't know what to say. He seemed actually pretty genuine about wanting us around. Maybe deep down inside, more than he cared to admit, he wanted us to be here. Maybe he was tired of being lonely.

Zane didn't wait for my response; he walked into the bathroom to begin his daily routine. Was he going to try and adjust to having people around? Or would he just go about his day as if Alexis and I didn't exist? I didn't know.

But maybe soon, just maybe, he could adjust to having people around again.