Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh GX or any of its characters.
A drop of crystalline water crept down the tall frosted glass under Zane Truesdale's discerning eye.
Slightly trembling, Syrus stepped back from the group of mean-looking kids that were Zane's acquaintances. They had come over expressly for the purpose of dueling. Syrus was never asked to duel with them. Ever.
Instead, Syrus always served drinks.
A slant of a smile gracing his beloved honorable older brother's lips; Syrus watched raptly as Zane tasted the tea he had served just for him. However, this preliminary visage of a pleasant expression soon turned sour. His brother's gaze narrowed at the beverage.
"Syrus, I asked for raspberry iced tea. And, I asked for ice."
The pack of kids leered at Syrus. One coughed in a subtly superior fashion but another took his displeasure one step further.
"Didn't you hear what Zane said?" the loud-voiced boy demanded. "Should we write it on your wrist next time?"
"Be quiet, Dave," the teal-haired duelist intercepted smoothly. "He tries. Don't you, Syrus?"
Syrus could only blush and stare down at his shoes so none could glimpse the wetness gathering in his silver eyes.
"He tries," Zane repeated, his tone growing icier. "Syrus always tries his best."
He tries…
It was as if his brother had never said anything at all.
Stiffly, Syrus walked away.
I try…
But, it's never enough.
Author's Note: Now, I've gone and written something depressing again. This fic would be set before Zane and Syrus went to Duel Academy.