Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Memories of Shadow and Light ❯ Chapter Seventeen ( Chapter 17 )

A.N. Wow, the final chapter… this feels really weird. I can still remember sitting in a top bunk while on vacation with my family, working on a Chrno Crusade fic, and having this idea. I was typing the Prologue on a whim with no other idea then “I wanna send Yugi back into the past by himself.” ^-^ And now, he's gone, returned, and this is the last chapter to this story that has taken me two years to write. Thank you to all who supported me through this endeavor and for all the reviews I received, and I hope this ends the way you wanted. Look out for the Epilogue as well, I'm quite proud of it. ^-^

 

 

Chapter Seventeen

 

“AHHH! I'm going to be so late!” Yugi cried, practically flying from his bed and into the middle of his room as soon as the whispered words of his other had finally broken through the haze of his dream to remind him of the time. He tripped on some dirty clothes and a few toys that were buried beneath it—nearly slamming into his dresser—as he skidded toward his door, already pealing the pajamas from his body.

“Why didn't you wake me up, Yami?!” Yugi cried, already knowing that the spirit of the puzzle had, in fact, done just that nearly a half hour before, and he'd simply chosen to ignore it.

It was a little irksome that Yami didn't seem to want to touch him, and there for hadn't proceeded to body slam him that morning. How long is this going to last? Yugi wondered to himself, pretending he didn't notice the eggshells Yami seemed to walk on around him. It was one thing to worry about someone and be extra cautious, it was an entirely different thing to treat them like glass.

Probably until you learn to wake up when you are told, Aibou. Yami answered him, and Yugi still took a moment to close his eyes and enjoy the sensation of his dark back in his mind. He'd taken it for granted before, be was never letting that happen again.

“I didn't mean that, Yami…” Yugi grumbled, quickly falling back into the routine he'd lost for almost six months.

He grabbed the blue uniform trousers from the dirty hamper, and with a quick sniff, decided that they'd be fine for another day, before kicking off his bottoms and grabbing the blazer from the foot of his bed, and the white shirt from under his dresser.

“Gah, where are my boxers?!” Yugi cried, turning a circle in the center of his chaotic room, holding articles of clothes, standing in the underwear he'd worn to bed the night before. He could wear the same uniform for a week and not care in the least, but after his adventures in Egypt, Yugi was damned determine to change his underwear twice a day after having to wear the same ones for nearly six months straight. That was just disgusting… god, I don't care if it was only an astral projection of me…

Aibou.

The call brought Yugi back around to face the hazy image of his dark, dressed in his usual dark leather and tank top, his skin paler than Yugi remembered Atemu's to be, and his eyes seemed somehow deeper. Even though the spirit was just sitting casually on his bed, he looked good, and not just in the way Yugi was growing accustomed to noticing.

Sure his Yami looked hot, there was no denying that fact, but the fact that this was his Yami, his Yami! Not a portion of him from before he solved the puzzle, but the entire being he'd come to rely and trust in over the last two years of his life. It was just nice to see and feel him that sometimes Yugi couldn't help but stare. Yugi felt a relieved smile creep up his face, until, the spirit reached under the bed and dragged out the one clean pare of boxers he still had.

The dark green, Kuribo printed, boxers swayed back at him mockingly, and Yugi scowled at the amused smirk on Yami's face.

You looking for these, Aibou?

Yugi stalked forward and snatched them back with a nod as he dashed back into the bathroom—not only because he was running late—pulling the handle out and drowning out the sound of Yami's amusement with the roar of the shower.

“How does he do that?” Yugi mused to himself, as he removed his shorts and jumped into the chill spray of the water. He shivered, gasping at the temperature change, his arms folding around his waist to conserve body heat. “He always knows where it is…” A kinky and no all that un-welcomed thought came to his mind, and Yugi straightened in the spray. “Is he hiding my underwear?”

Aibou, what would hiding your boxers gain for me?

Yugi let out a muffle yelp at the sudden input, and his hands reflexively covered his front. He blushed when he realized what he'd done, and choked on his reply, feeling rather silly. He'd already made love to the spirit, okay, so it was technically his past self, but still, what did he have to be so shy about?

The slight mental wall, Yami had erected between them to give Yugi his space gave the petite duelist the answer to his question, and Yugi rolled his eyes, making sure not to think too hard on that question, least it fly beyond that barrier. That's right… he's so fricken' afraid of me, its making me edgy…

A little hurt by his dark's actions since his return, and painful possibility that Yami remembered but no longer wanted him, made Yugi snappish. “You're the criminal mastermind, not me.”

Criminal? Aibou, you know I'm not the thief. The tomb robber is.

Yugi sighed, and lathered up his body scrubbing himself clean and enjoying the way the soap and bubbles felt on his skin. The fact that Yami had used the term “the thief,” and not “a thief” did not escape him, but Yugi chose not to dwell on suck thoughts, instead focusing on the feeling of the water running through his hair and down his back, cleaning him of all the grime he'd picked up the day before. Even a month after being home he still couldn't get over the joy of feeling completely clean, and wearing normal clothes. “Right, sorry, my mistake… you're just the mastermind behind my hidden underwear.”

Not true, I'm just aware of your habit of kicking the laundry Grandpa brings up, under your bed to avoid actually putting them away. You just forget you do it.

Yugi blinked, unable to argue that fact, and squeezed a good amount of shampoo into his palm, before attacking his hair. The scrap of his fingernails, and the smell of his no tear, baby shampoo was comforting, and Yugi let his eyes drift shut, reveling in the feel regardless of how late it was getting.

Some things just shouldn't be rushed.

Aibou, you have five minutes to leave before you'll be too late and they'll lock the school gates.

“No!!!” Yugi whined, shoving his head under the spray, quickly rinsing it, before shaking it dry and bounding from the shower. Toweling dry in a new record breaking time, Yugi jumped into his clothes and bolted out of the house, a piece of toast hanging from his mouth.

“Yugi!” Sugoroku's call pulled him short as the elderly man came out to hand him his lunch. One weathered hand rested on Yugi's shoulders protectively a moment longer than necessary. Neither spoke of it, and Yami seemed to grow silent with the action, but everyone knew the reason behind it. Hell, everyone was doing it, even Kaiba, as scary as that had been.

Yugi had expected the nervous touches his friends and family gave him whenever possible, just to make sure that he was really there, but Kaiba's random pats to his shoulder were a little starling and scary. Though Yugi guiltily admitted to enjoying the protective growl Yami always gave at the contact, and he was certain that was why he had yet to tell Kaiba to knock it off.

“Don't want to forget this.” Sugoroku said, his eyes bright and cheerful. Yugi smiled, still glad that his grandfather recognized him—Saimun had broken his heart when he'd first met the priest, but by that time he'd almost expected those he thought he recognized to not know him, all the same it was a nice change—and was worrying over his eating habits again.

“Thanks Jii-chan.” Yugi took the lunch gratefully; staying still longer than necessary for the pat to his head his grandfather had suddenly become so fond of.

The feel of weathered hands messing up his still damp hair was somehow comforting and Yugi smiled, relaxing into the tender moment before Sugoroku pulled back with a chuckle. “You'd better hurry, you know how your mother gets when you're late, and since she's home now, you better be quick.”

Yugi jumped again, muttering when he realized that he was most likely going to be locked out for morning classes, and turned quickly toward his school.

“Thanks Jii-chan!” Yugi called over his shoulder, too concerned with his pace to look back, but he could hear Sugoroku's laugh all the way down the street, though he was certain that it was nothing more than the memory of that sound replaying in his mind to ease his still chaotic emotions.

I am sorry, Aibou.

Yami's sudden intrusion into his thoughts made Yugi shiver, and he swallowed back the response knowing from experience how well strangers took kids randomly talking to themselves. About what, Yami? Not waking me up? It's not your fault, I'm the one who didn't—

No, Aibou. I don't mean…I was talking about… Yami's thought trailed off, as the bitter taste of guilt and sorrow filled the link before it was abruptly cut off with a quick, I will rest in the soul rooms for the day, Aibou. If you need me, call.

Yugi bit back the burning need to question him, and nodded trying not to let Yami feel the hurt, and betrayal he felt at being left in the dark. It wasn't entirely Yami's fault. When he was ready, he'd talk, Yugi just had to be patient, and believe that his dark would tell him.

The silence of their link unnerved him more than he knew it should. He knew that Yami was still their, and even if he wasn't Yugi would be fine on his own, if nothing else his trip to the past had taught him the strength of his own independence. Still, after finally retrieving that part of himself, he was loath to loose it again.

But Yami was right, it was easier to think when his head was clear, and with the unease between his friends and Yami, it wasn't too hard to guess why Yami chose to sleep while Yugi was at school. What happened while I was gone? And why won't anyone tell me? Everyone's acting so weird… and how did they keep my six-month vanishing act from mom? I know she's barely ever home but… Yugi was forced to forget his questions as the big iron gates came into view.

They were still open.

With a renewed strength, Yugi bolted for the entrance, his legs moving faster than he'd ever thought possible—and he covered a distance his gym teacher would be astounded at, then confused as to why Yugi did so poorly in his class—as his heart felt like it could burst from his chest at any moment.

From the corner of his eye he caught a blur of gold and almost stopped as it passed him, but the sound of the tardy bell ringing forced him to keep pace, and with a dive-roll through the slowly closing gates, Yugi lay triumphantly in a cloud of dust just inside of school grounds.

He was late, but he would still make the morning classes.

“That was close…”

“You're telling me.” The familiar voice made Yugi grin as he looked up into expectant tawny eyes.

“Late start for you too Jou?”

“You know it!” Jonouchi beamed, as if proud of that fact, and Yugi shook his head standing. He was just glad that Anzu wasn't around to hear that. For all the friendship speeches she gave, she became the biggest anti-friend where school was concerned.

“C'mon, we don't want to be too late. Anzu will skin me alive if I'm late for second hour.” Jonouchi said, pulling Yugi along by the arm.

The casual touch would have been unnoticed if one didn't know Jonouchi was well as he did, but being that he did know the blond better than most, Yugi took note of the steadying grip the other held on him, and mentally slapped himself for taking so long to return. Not to mention having fun and… getting… well…

Yugi blushed, not sure how he wanted to think of his first time. Was it called getting his cherry popped? Did he even have a cherry to pop? What the hell did that saying mean anyway?

“Yug' you okay, you're acting rather spacey?” Jonouchi helpfully announced, his free hand touching his forehead in concern, and Yugi ducked away with a giggle that sounded almost pained, hoping that his blush would be unnoticed.

“Yeah, just… thinking.” Yugi admitted to his feet, not all that sure about how to approach that topic. Though, it would be nice to have someone else's opinion on how to deal with Yami… but, what if… what if they hate me for being… well, not so virgin and… gay? Yugi smiled to himself at the ease in which he thought that term. Half a year ago he could hardly think of the word let alone it's meaning, and now he used it to describe himself. How things had changed…

“Oh. `Bout Yams?” Jonouchi asked, surprisingly quite perceptive, and Yugi jerked, looking up at his friend in a mixture of horror and hope. He felt Yami stir in his soul room and—after basking in the feel of his other so near—sent him a soothing reassurance that all was well, and when the spirit of the puzzle was again resting peacefully, and no longer aware of the outside world, Yugi returned his gaze to Jonouchi.

“Yeah… um… you know, there's uh, something I need to tell… yo—well everyone.” Yugi began, his cheeks flaming from his stuttering and he averted his eyes not wanting to see his best friend's reaction. If his friend's did disown him, he'd die, he knew it, and he'd never have the courage to “come out” to his grandfather—not to mention his mother, and he doubted he'd ever tell her. Explaining Yami to her would be too difficult to begin with—and then for all he knew Yami could decide he didn't need him anymore. What if he never forgave me for leaving him…? Yugi thought with a trickle of icy fear and sickening doubt.

“Yeah, okay, but that's going to have to wait till lunch, cause, as much as I care for you, I ain't hearing Anzu's tardy lecture again if I can avoid it.” Jonouchi's truthful outburst helped Yugi steady himself. I don't know anything for certain yet, just stay calm and take things one-step at a time. Whatever happens, will happen… regardless of the time I spend worrying over it.

“Right.” Yugi agreed and allowed himself to be dragged into the building and ultimately into his classes—which he found out that Yami was horrible at the classes and had nearly destroyed his year for him, but it was the thought that counted right? At least he showed up for him.

With a deep breath Yugi set his mind, determined to shatter the illusion of normalcy he'd fallen into since his return. He wasn't sure of the outcome, but if he'd learned nothing else from Anuksu, it was to never waste time on worrying over things he couldn't control. I just hope it works out…

 

^^^^^

 

It was quiet in the soul room, though the walls seemed to shift colors and intensity every four seconds, evidence of the owner's distress. Yami turned his back to the far wall and closed his eyes tightly, his soul currently wrapped in the security of Yugi's soul room. He was giving the young man his space, and watching the walls jump from the cool pale blue of sadness, to the ruby hue of embarrassment, and back to orange annoyance only to have it plummet to pale green terror was making Yami almost desperate to know why these colors were appearing.

If he wasn't careful he'd open up the link and ease drop onto Yugi's mind, and as far as Yami was concerned, he had no right to do that.

I've put him through enough hardships… this is his life that I am attempting to intrude on… and I've only been stealing his time from him. Yami thought to himself, feeling rather pathetic as he continued to wallow in his self-depreciating thoughts that had plagued him since the joy of Yugi's return had faded.

He just came back, like nothing had happened… just like before, when he was returned from Doom. Yami thought, remembering the two times he'd been the most frightened and excited at the same time. It had been those conflicting emotions that had stopped him from engulfing his soul partner in a hug. It was only later that he realized that the fear had been of the rejection he might face.

This time though, he'd restrained himself for an entirely different reason. There is only one way of knowing… and I am too frightened to find out.

The spirit of the millennium puzzle pulled the metaphorical sheets closer, and buried his head in Yugi's colorful pillow. For all that he thought, the room hadn't changed by much. The colors seemed brighter than before, and the closed window on the wall was propped open allowing a warm breeze in. The window symbolized his soul, and the open glass showed that he had come to terms with himself and was “free” from the bind he himself had created. The toys where a little more organized, and there was now a little treasure chest at the foot of his bed, and try as he might, Yami found that he could not open the box.

Yugi now had deeper secrets he was unwilling to share, even with his yami. The thought hurt, and backed up his fears, yet the otherwise contentment of the soul room suggested otherwise. It all served to confuse him.

I know my memories are true. I beat Yugi, well, Jonoh did… then I gained his trust, only to break it. Yami scowled, inwardly hating himself for the memories he couldn't even trust himself. What if I'm wrong, and I didn't stop in the bath? What if I just wanted Yugi to accept me so desperately that I changed my own memories to believe that he loved me too? Sugoroku was just telling Yugi about the theory that some people can create their own memories, if they wish for it hard enough… what if… what if that's what I did? Yami squirmed with the idea, confused by the reality of his memories and the possibility of their falseness.

If that treasure box hadn't been there, Yami may have been able to believe that he had not been mistaken. After all, if he'd raped Yugi, his soul room would have signs of it, and he would not have asked for that hug on his return. … but if it was consensual, why hasn't… why hasn't he said anything?

The inconsistencies were tearing him apart inside. He wasn't usually one to wait, or hesitate, but this was no game or challenge he could easily face. This was Yugi, his aibou, and the feelings he may or may not have for him, and approaching that trial was terrifying to the spirit. He'd felt the loss of his soul mate three times already. Once to death, once to his arrogance, and then to his past, Yami doubted he could handle losing him by rejection.

This is fine for now… fine… just fine… Yami thought to himself, well aware that it was a lie, and snuggled closer to the sheets that held the soft smell of the sea and rain. Yugi's smell, and attempted to block out all else.

It was always easier said than, done.

The walls pulsed once more with relief before settling into the boredom that usually accompanied the school day, and for a moment Yami was glad that Yugi was distracted, as it allowed him to roll onto his back.

Staring up at the ceiling—decorated with posters and old glow-in-the-dark stars—Yami tried to regulate his chaotic thoughts. These new memories, they didn't change much, not really. It wasn't like he missed Yugi anymore than he had before, and his memories of the past two years didn't become odd with a sort of detached love that one would expect. It wasn't like his lost half had suddenly returned and was now privy to all that had happened up to this point.

No, the only things the memories did was clear up the feelings he could not explain before, like his protectiveness of Yugi after the puzzle's completion. He knew that part of it was out of gratitude, but the other part, the one that made him enraged when someone dared to hurt the small boy he resided in was until then unexplainable.

The teacher, Miss Chrono, hadn't really done anything but emotionally hurt Yugi through tormenting Honda, and he'd reacted. All this time he'd never been able to explain it, now it oddly made sense.

Chrono-san had reminded him of Fastosus.

Nothing's really changed… yet, it has. Yami thought, lifting one hand to inspect it.

He could still recall a time when Yugi's hand was dwarfed upon his own. When Yugi's forehead just barely touched his waist. When Yugi's rounded cheeks, and upturned nose angled up to see him with curiousness, and slight fear.

Yugi was just a boy then… a child. One who needed guidance and strength. You needed so much back then, and when I went too far… you suffered so much. Yami's eyes narrowed, I still see your tears aibou. From that time with Kaiba on Pegasus's island… and it hurts but, I also remember the times you held the puzzle with such joy and love. You were willing to die to save me. You grew up so fast. Starting with Death `T' and again with Pegasus.

Yami's smile was ironic as the thoughts and feelings from the past two years flooded through his mind easing his thoughts from his bitter fears. You… no longer really needed me… but you didn't want to let me go and I hoped…

“But you loved Anzu… I knew you did. That date told me everything… the hours you spent dressing, and that bothered me because she was Anuksu… of course I didn't remember that at the time.” Yami spoke aloud to fill in the echoing of Yugi's heartbeat.

Yami's thoughts kept chasing in circles, back and forth between memories and feelings, as he recalled watching Yugi grow up, as he too grew and changed, from a pharaoh, to a spirit with no memory, to the entity known as Yami. They were both calming and upsetting at once, and his frown returned once more as his soul ached with his resolution.

I chose to trust him… that was a decision I made not as Atemu, but as I am now. I am no longer the pharaoh of Khemet, I am the friend a small boy wished for, and if I have to wither away in silence till the end of my existence than so be it! His thoughts rang loud with conviction, and the air shifted as Yugi's mind was alerted.

Yami, you alright? Yugi asked, sounding a little hesitant, and Yami tried not to flinch.

I am fine, Yugi, just a passing thought. He hoped Yugi had only been alarmed by his emotions and not the words themselves, and it seemed that the gods took pity on him as Yugi relaxed and returned to his class, the barrier still up between them.

Yami closed his eyes. His insides still squirmed uncomfortably, but at least he felt like he could face Yugi without collapsing inside. With a deep breath Yami relaxed, gazing tiredly at nothing. It seemed all he did anymore was worry and fear and contemplate the things he'd already set to rest. It was amazingly tiring.

He suddenly understood why it was that Anzu always seemed snappish and cranky at the end of the day. He definitely knew how a Soap Opera felt now, and he was glad that at least he didn't have to worry about any pregnant cousins name Shirley showing up.

No, instead I get Kaiba purposefully stepping onto my toes… Yami thought with a little annoyance. He's got Jonouchi… if he ever gets his head out of his ass long enough to notice the blond… so why is he glomming onto my aibou for? He already knew the answer to that question, but wasn't quite ready to face up to his actions, and Seto's sudden revenge for the beating he'd received on the roof was the least of his problems.

Everyone had been antsy around him, and most with good reason, though no one felt right telling Yugi just how hard they had fallen without him.

We all assumed that you needed us Aibou, that you were the one that could not live without our guidance, yet somehow we'd switched roles along the way, and it was us that needed you, me that needed your guidance. His thoughts brought on memories that filled his mouth with bitter fear, and he clenched his hands as he recalled the pain he'd felt as he'd reached out for Yugi when he'd been in the Valley of Gathering Souls, only to pass right through him.

It was his worst nightmare, perhaps that was the reason he didn't embrace Yugi when he'd been returned. He was afraid that he'd again, pass right through his light and be left alone again.

The color of the walls shifted between boredom and calmness; Yami watched it in mild interest. Back in Khemet he had not been able to see such things, and Yugi was nearly unreadable to him. Seemed almost alien to him now, after spending two years inside the comfort of his light.

“Would we lose all of this, our link, if Rebecca's idea had been done?” Yami asked the silence of the room, unsure if that would have been good or bad for the both of them.

 

“But why not? Darling, you don't have to stay like this anymore! That parasitic pharaoh could have his own body, and you'd never have to suffer anymore!” Rebecca cried, clinging to Yugi's arm in the early morning after the miracle that had returned Yugi to them.

Anzu was looking at the floor, obviously not wanting to say anything for one reason or another, Jonouchi was looking annoyed, and Honda looked as though he agreed with the girl.

Yami felt the sting at the brunette's actions, yet he understood that Honda had only jut begun to forgive him for his behavior, and the girl had hated him from the moment he'd gambled with his soul and lost Yugi's instead. He really couldn't say that he liked the brat either, but he couldn't blame her for her anger, that didn't mean that he didn't wish to send her to the shadow realm for her cruel—if true—words.

“He's not a parasite!” Yugi argued, and the vehemence in his thoughts eased Yami's own anger, and he relaxed a bit in the soft comfort of his light's soul. “… he's… important to me, and I only jut got him back.” Yugi said with a blush, and Yami smiled at the tender feelings that passed clearly between them through their hypersensitive link.

“Sorry, Rebecca,” Yugi began again, obviously upset with himself for yelling at the bookish girl who now looked like she'd been struck. “… I think Yami would like his own body, and if he wants it, I'll gladly go with him, but for now I would rather be as close to mou hitori no boku as I can for a while.”

Everyone in the room blinked at the term, not hearing it in so long that its usage now seemed more significant that the rest of his speech.

Honda looked away with a small glare but seemed to back down from his stance at Yugi's words, but Rebecca seemed less inclined to listen, being as she barely knew Yugi the time that Yami had been known as the `Other Yugi.'

“How—“ Her words were cut short by the steady hand that Sugoroku placed on her.

“That's enough, Yugi's made his decision and that's that.” Sugoroku said in that all knowing way that he had. Yami felt a little humbled as he recognized the tone to be the same one he'd used to drag him out of bed.

Rebecca made a grunting sound of defeat as she slumped, crossing her arms over her chest. “Fine, but I don't see why not. I wouldn't want to be possessed by that creep.”

“Well, that ain't your choice, its Yug's and Yami's.” Jonouchi jumped in, sounding quite angry with the blond child, and he received a glare from Rebecca for his interruption.

“Rebecca.” Anzu began, looking up for the first time and the soft look the blue eyed girl had was calming. “I think what Yugi means is that he'd like things to be normal for a while before anymore changes happen to him. Not that he thinks your plan was useless and stupid.”

Rebecca sighed, somehow subdued, and nodded once, setting the printed plan on the table and turning from the group. “Whatever.” From her tense shoulders, Yami was certain that the girl hadn't let go as much as she wanted everyone to think, but he didn't bother relaying that to Yugi. The smaller duelist already felt bad enough for making the girl angry in the first place.

Aibou…

Yes Yami? Yugi responded quickly, somehow happier by just the sound of Yami's inquiry in his mind.

… I am glad that you are back, and I'm sure Rebecca is as well, so don't be upset.

…thank you Yami. Yugi said with a smile that Yami could feel through the link, and the spirit basked in its warmth a while longer, ignoring the concerned looks his friends gave them as they conversed. He was certain that they knew when Yugi spoke to him, and their fear made him uncomfortable, but with the way he'd been acting recently, he couldn't really blame them either. So, he ignored them all together, things would smooth over soon enough, he hoped.

 

Yami let his eyes drift closed in lazy relaxation. He was over thinking things again and avoiding the things he couldn't change or control. It's time to stop running. I need to confront Yugi, and ask him if what I remember is true… or not… Yami sighed, already disliking the prospect. … even if it kills me.

After all, he had an escape.

It was in the shape of a stack of papers set in Sugoroku's study. If he used those he could leave Yugi and free him from the nightmare he'd caused if what he feared was indeed true.

If it was true.

 

^^^^^

 

The air outside had turned chill with the biting sense of fall, and the sharper smells of autumn assaulted the noses of the small ring of friends seated under the wilting cherry tree eating their lunches. It wouldn't be long before the harsher elements of the cold weather forced them inside the cafeteria for lunch, but until then they seemed content to escape to their little haven.

“Katsuya,” Anzu snarled her chopsticks poised over Jonouchi's hand like a poised cobra, and her voice was it's deadly venom. “If you want to keep your manhood I suggest you keep your grubby paws out of my bento! And don't even start complaining about the `paws' comment or I'll bring your master over here to remind you why you should be a good puppy.”

The blonde's jaw dropped in shock at the words that fell from the usually non-threatening friend, and promptly replaced the tempura he'd stolen.

“Thank you.” Anzu said her lips pursed as she continued to pop rice into her mouth.

“Woah, Jonouchi I think you've been stealing munchies for too long.” Honda teased, looking quite amused by Anzu's sudden defensiveness. “She even used your first name… she's out for blood man.” The brunette male wisely left the whole master/puppy thing out of the conversation, though Yugi was secretly dying to know what she meant by it.

He wanted to laugh at it, like any other joke, but seeing as Jonouchi had yet to actually get upset over it, it seemed as though there had been at least a fragment of truth in her comment. They have been acting rather friendly towards each other lately… what happened between them while I was gone? Yugi wondered while nibbling on his own meal barely tasting the food.

Kaiba's been acting weird since I came back, and hasn't picked an actual fight with Jou since… almost like, he's somehow respecting him in a way… Yugi sighed, half wondering if Kaiba had somehow regained a few memories of his own concerning a certain blond guard, but at the same time he doubted that the CEO would ever admit to having memories from another life, so that theory was shot to hell.

Whatever it was, Yugi was pleased by the implications. Being gay would be much easier if I wasn't the only one of my friends that was… Yugi purposefully avoided the part of his mind that reminded him that Bakura and Ryo were also quite into each other. The thought of connecting with the thief on any level left him feeling queasy. I don't think Grandpa would be too thrilled to have a repeat of last time anyway…

The time Yugi had invited Ryo and Malik over for a `light and dark' celebration before Malik left to return to Egypt; where Bakura and Yami had gotten into a Shadow Game that resulted in the salt and pepper shakers dancing around the room on legs made of sliver wear, was still a sore subject for the elderly Mouto, and the ban placed on Bakura had yet to be lifted.

“What do you expect? You've been stealing my food for… years!” Anzu snapped pointing her chopsticks accusingly at the blond while Honda laughed seeming to enjoy the punishment his best friend as receiving from the girl he used to help pick on with the panty-tank.

Yugi smiled as well, unable to block out the enjoyable feelings bubbling up inside. It felt good to be in the presence of his friends, though sometimes he felt a little nostalgic at the loss of Anuksu.

Once and a while, when Anzu would talk so enthusiastically about her dance class, Yugi would feel his chest tighten and he'd suddenly wish for the witty, sarcastic belly dancer, but then it would pass with a smile and pat from Anzu. I hope she's all right… I never did get to say goodbye…

“Hey, I can't help it if your food looks good!” Jonouchi snapped, finally backed far enough into a corner to fight back, and Anzu gave him a mocking look.

“Oh, so its my fault for having a lunch?”

“Yes.”

“That's a stupid argument! How can my having lunch be a catalyst for your grifting it?” Anzu asked, bristling as Jonouchi continued to push her buttons.

“Yeah, well if you paid more attention to what was going on around you, I wouldn't have been able to steal your shrimp!”

“I was trying to listen to Yugi since you said he had something important to tell us! I didn't know you'd said that just to get into my—put the sausage down and you wont get hurt!”

“Damn Anzu, its just food.” Jonouchi said dropping the item, flustered that she'd noticed. Maybe he was doing it too often.

Honda chuckled as he turned back to Yugi, juice in hand. “So, was it a lie then Yugi?”

Yugi suddenly wished the conversation had stayed on food. “Uh… well, not… no, it wasn't.” Yugi choked out, his face feeling as though he'd lit a match under his chin. C'mon, you said you'd get this off of your chest… you have to come clean if you want to move forward… and that means asking them for advice. Yugi told himself sternly as Anzu stopped battling Jonouchi and turned to him, missing Jonouchi's swift motion as he stole the sausage again, thins time eating it before she could notice its absence.

“What is it Yugi?” Anzu asked, concerned, even as her chopsticks embedded themselves into Jonouchi's hand as he tried to steal something more. With a yelp he pulled away and pouted, before turning back to Yugi.

“Yeah, so what was so important this morning that you needed to discuss with all of us?”

Yugi swallowed the large lump that formed in his esophagus. How will they react? … can I handle it if they turn away from me? Yugi felt suddenly feverish, and sweat gathered on his brow and under his arms.

No matter how many times he'd prepared himself for this conversation, actually coming out of the closet was harder and more frightening than he'd supposed it to be. But, I can't ask for their help without telling them everything… Taking a deep breath Yugi looked around his ring of friends, and nearly chickened out at the almost knowing looks on their faces.

Anzu glanced towards Jonouchi who kept looking at Honda as though he expected the brunette to do something stupid, but his quiet friend just sat there, staring at Yugi with a detached sort of understanding. Yugi blinked, unsure of what the looks were about and he looked away from them all and into his lunch pail, his hands clutching the plastic sides hard enough for the tips of his fingertips to turn a sickly white.

“I…I… look, while I was back in…” His mouth felt cotton dry, and his throat felt like he'd swallowed a hand full of sand. He hoped his racing heart didn't wake Yami, but from the silence in the link, he was certain the spirit was unaware of his anxiety. Well… its now… or never…

“I'm gay!” Yugi suddenly spat out, his eyes clenched shut to block out the reactions, and his fingers trembling around his food.

The silence was painful as Yugi waited for their responses, and the sound of the wind in the dying leaves was deafening to him. Oh god.. that wasn't… kami-sama I screwed that one up… Opening a frightened eye, Yugi held his breath as he scanned his friends faces, anything but ready to accept their looks of disgust.

“… guys?” Yugi asked when he found Jonouchi and Anzu just looking at him, eating their lunches as though they were waiting for him to continue, like he had yet to say something they didn't already know.

“Yeah, Yug'?” Jonouchi asked calmly, munching on a sandwich.

Yugi blinked, and started to wonder if he'd actually said anything at all, and looked over towards Honda who was looking down at his hands. Yugi couldn't tell if he was uncomfortable or just coming to grips with something, and so decided that he had said that he was gay. .. So then… why aren't they reacting?

“Yugi, you look pale, you okay?” Anzu asked, placing a cool hand to his forehead. “You don't have to finish if you're that upset…” Anzu added shooting a worried look at Jonouchi who fiddled uncomfortably, his calm mood suddenly gone.

“Yeah, Yug' I mean… we're here to listen and all… that is, if you're ready to talk about it… damn, that is—“

“Fuck.” Yugi jumped at the explicit that escaped from Honda's mouth. “What did he do to you?”

Yugi pulled closer to Anzu at the murderous look in his friend's eyes and tried to calm down, not quite sure what was happening.

“W—who?”

“That bastard pharaoh, did he rape you?” Honda asked, somehow unusually blunt, and Yugi choked on air suddenly feeling like he was trapped in a nightmare. W—what?! R—rape? Where the hell did they… how long have they…

“Honda!” Anzu scolded, wrapping a comforting arm around Yugi's shoulders as Jonouchi glowered at the brunette.

“Could you be a little more insensitive, moron?”

“Well, its better to get this over with rather than pussy-footing around the damn problem! Rip it off like a band-aid!” Honda snapped, and Yugi realized that his earlier fidgeting had been concern.

“This is a little bigger than a band-aid, getting raped by one's other self is not—“

“What the hell are you talking about?!” Yugi snapped, finally having enough of their weird accusations. Glaring around the circle of friends, Yugi watched as their faces mixed with concern and pity, and felt the tell-tale anger that usually came with thoughts of Pragus. The burn was a comfort and he straightened up, pinning them all with a withering glare. “I just told you that I am gay, not a rape victim! So how the hell did you come up with that?!”

Anzu looked relieved and a little shocked, and he preferred her expression to that of his other friends who looked utterly confused. “So… Yami didn't—“

“No he didn't!” Yugi hissed, at the end of his rope. “If anything I seduced him in the end, and now I've been without for a month, I'm horny as hell and I don't know if Yami still wants me, and I don't know why he's acting all distant and I wanted your advice but I thought you'd think I was sick for being gay, so I came out first and then you ask if.. if… god, all of you are acting so weird!” Yugi rambled out in a single breath, before collapsing into a gasping fit, sill on his anger high allowing him to escape embarrassment for the moment.

Anzu had turned red and looked like she was quite ready to pass out, a hand cradled to her mouth. “Oh…” Was her breathy response, which brought Yugi back to the present, and with a startled gasp he felt his face heat. Oh Kami I am screwing this up…

“Oh, wow Yug' I'm sorry, you just looked so horrified that we thought…” Jou trailed off looking at Honda who had reclined against the tree with a scowl, seemingly out of the conversation. “Heh, so, what's this about Yami being distant?”

Yugi felt his eye twitch. Were they trying to drive him mad? “Jou, why did you all think that… that Yami… Atemu…” Yugi couldn't even finish the thought, as—unbidden—the memory of their first encounter in the bath flashed though his mind. Gods, no, he stopped and… I didn't… really mind…. Yugi flushed again, and hoped Jonouchi thought it was because of the topic and not because Yugi really had been assaulted.

The group became tense and quiet, and Yugi had the urge to throw things, but held back. “Guys! I'm sick of being kept in the dark! What the hell happened? Why is Yami acting weird, why are you guys so distant towards him? Why did you think he…” Yugi swallowed, “And why the hell is Kaiba hugging me?!”

His last comment drew a laugh from Jonouchi and Yugi hoped that the blond would expound but he didn't, and Yugi almost decided to throw his bento at his friend's head when Honda spoke up.

“Kaiba's pissing Yami off `cause Yami lost it while you were gone, and beat the shit out of him on the roof.” Honda said in a bored voice, and Yugi felt his jaw drop in disbelief.

Sure he knew Yami hated Kaiba and visa versa, but to actually get into a fistfight? Looking at Jonouchi for confirmation Yugi caught the pained look of remembrance and felt his stomach drop. Yami lost it… because I was gone?

“… Why?” Yugi whispered, and Honda sighed bracing his head against the tree trunk.

“'Cause you were gone, and he kept having these flashes of memory where he was certain that he'd rape you, and so he was going mad with guilt and his need to play hero and he was as useless as the rest of us for once.” Honda's voice carried a tinge of vindictiveness, and Yugi was struck by a fact he'd never thought of before. Is Honda jealous of Yami? That he's able to help me more directly than him?

“… so he thinks he…” Yugi trailed off with a sigh, flopping down beside Anzu. “I thought he remembered everything.”

“He does.” Anzu tried to comfort, but Yugi just laughed humorlessly.

“Then he should know that I wanted him, that I said… I told him that I loved him, and he wouldn't be acting like touching me would turn him to stone.”

“Yugi…” Anzu sighed, her hand slipping from his back.

“… well you know Yug', Yami's been taking your disappearance pretty hard, we all have…” Jonouchi looked away in shame at that and Yugi glanced back at Anzu when Honda tensed, and found her looking like she might break.

Did he really mean that much to everyone? The thought had never occurred to him before. He knew he was a friend, and he'd worry about them if they'd gone missing, but from the way they were reacting, he had the feeling that it wasn't as simple as that. It was almost as thought they'd given up hope.

“Guys…” Yugi bit his lip unsure of what to say. He hadn't exactly been able to call upon their friendship while back in time, but the memories of what he'd learned from them had helped him, even if he hadn't consciously realized it, and it seemed that at least Honda needed to know about it. “… You know, when I was there, I felt so alone. Yami was gone… completely and I couldn't find him, then when I did, he didn't know me, at all. It hurt, and I was sure I was all alone…” Yugi paused smiling as he caught Jonouchi's eyes and then Anzu's. “But then I found you guys, they were you, but not you, and they reminded me that you guys were waiting for me back here and I knew I wasn't alone at all. I had Jonoh the Guard and Anuksu the palace dancer.”

Jonouchi gave a half smile, and Anzu blushed. Turning to Honda Yugi met his gaze and held it. “And though I didn't have you around, Honda your words kept me strong. You once snuck on a ship to follow me and support me on my quest to save my grandfather, and somehow I knew that you would have done the same this time as well had you had the chance. Knowing that you were all here waiting, it kept me going when even Yami was gone, so thank you.”

The brunette gave him a look, his lips quirking slightly and Yugi smiled wider, feeling lighter. “Thank you, for being my friends. You don't know how much I rely on all of you…”

His words seemed to mend them a little and they sat up straighter, Jou pulling him into a noogie. “Aww, stop being such a sap!”

Yugi laughed around the action, gripping Jonouchi's arm lightly to keep from strangling in the friendly embrace. “Jou…”

“Yeah, it's time to move forward, and help with the Yami problem.” Anzu said helpfully and it brought Yugi back around to his original plan.

“You guys really okay with it?” He asked a little uncertain, and received confused looks from his friends.

“Okay with what Yug?”

Yugi flushed and tapped his fingers together. “My being… in love with Yami.”

“Yugi, I think you're the only one that didn't know.” Anzu said gently and Yugi looked up startled.

“Really?” He hadn't thought he'd been that transparent, but from the happy look on Anzu's face, and the smirk on Jonouchi's he found he must have been.

“Yug', you've been head's over heels for the guy since he first arrived like your knight in shining leather.” Jonouchi laughed at his own joke and it made Yugi smile, suddenly feeling like crying in relief.

Everything was going to be fine.

“Honda?” Yugi asked, turning with happy eyes to his final friend and missed the worried looks that Anzu and Jonouchi shared behind him.

His last friend was still leaning against the tree, his face unreadable. For a moment there was nothing but the sound of the wind and Yugi's hopeful breathing, as the group waited for Honda's final verdict.

“… I think he's being a cautious bastard.” Honda quipped looking up into Yugi's eyes with a soft look of resignation. “He's never going to change. If you want your happy ending you're probably going to have to trap him and lay everything out in simple terms and jump him, otherwise, your pharaoh is just going to worry himself bald and suffer in his pity party, drowning on bottles of guilt.”

The image made Yugi laugh as he nodded, “Thanks Honda, your right I probably will have to jump Yami… I just hope he still wants me.”

“Yugi…” Anzu began but was cut off by a very sharp Honda.

“He better, cause I'll personally kick his ass if he hurts you.” The stoic friend suddenly flushed at his admittance and sat back with a huff as Jonouchi started to cheer.

“Yeah, you show him Honda!”

“Shove it, Jonouchi…”

“Touchy.”

“I'll show you touchy!” Honda said menacingly, but Jonouchi seemed to be suicidal today as he just smirked.

“Ooh, I thought you only did that with Otogi…”

“That's it! You're dead!” Honda jumped to his feet ready to strangle the blond when Anzu piped up, always the voice of reason.

“Wait, there's still one problem.”

“What?” Yugi asked, nervous now at his first friend's exclamation, and wondered what could possibly be on her mind. What did I miss?

“Yami's just a spirit, how can they be together if they're in the same body?”

Yugi blushed, pondering if he should bring up the fact that Yami could become solid for a few hours outside of his body and if that didn't work there was always the option of using their soul rooms, but was mercifully saved by Jonouchi.

“Don't be stupid, he can become solid, remember, he did it that time we all hung out and took pictures?”

Honda didn't comment as he stood with his hands still around Jonouchi's neck, but no longer choking. He did blink a little as though Jonouchi's explanation had not been what he'd been thinking of, but he didn't make a comment on it.

“But its very tiring for him, remember he had that head ache, and on top of that, Yami's always complaining about taking up Yugi's life, somehow I doubt he'll change his mind just because of this.” Anzu stated, again the voice of that damnable reason. “In fact it'll probably make it worse.”

Yugi felt his stomach drop as he realized that she was right, and swallowed, feeling suddenly adrift. Does that mean… we can't be together? Just as the group was starting to panic, Honda gave a suffering sigh and rolled his eyes at them as if they were all blind.

“C'mon guys, I know a lots happened but its only been a month since this problem was solved.” Honda sighed again when Yugi blinked at him curiously, for once not understanding a word his friend was saying. “Use Rebecca's plan and give him his own body.” Honda supplied sounding bored, and Yugi blinked in confusion before remembering the master plan the small blond had given him. Oh, that's right, Rebecca had mentioned that… how could I forget that one, duh, Yugi it's only the answer to your every wet dream… Yugi grinned to himself, feeling rather silly as he responded with the clichéd:

“You're right,” and grinned widely at the thought of having Yami in the flesh. Oh, that'd be great! He'd be able to do everything we do! He can live in my room and we can cuddle, and play games, and go to school together! It'd be perfect! “Honda you're a genius!” Yugi cried, and his friend gave his head a small tilt.

“You only realizing this now?”

“Get over your self prema-Honda.” Jonouchi shot back, quickly reinstating their fight.

“I'll get the things together, Grandpa can help with the preparations, and then…” Yugi broke off suddenly as yet another problem struck him.

“Yugi? What's wrong?” Anzu asked, the only one not busy fighting.

“… how can I tell grandpa?”

For a moment she seemed not to comprehend what he was saying, but after a moment she smiled, pulling Yugi into a hug.

“Yugi, I think you know more than any of us, that your grandpa only wants you to be happy, and I'm pretty sure he already knows that Yami makes you happy.”

“You think?” Yugi asked, needing reassurance and his friend smiled, pinching his cheek.

“I know.”

“Thanks Anzu.” Yugi said, looking up to blue eyes he'd once sworn he loved. The friendship he found in them was a relief and he was glad that he'd never been able to make a move before.

“Now, telling your mom, might be tough, I suggest you tell her Yami's an exchange student and leave it at that for a while.” Anzu advised and Yugi laughed.

“Yeah, telling her the truth now might just kill her.”

The scuffling sounds of playful fighting continued as the chill wind blew by, stealing the moment into time as the day wore on, and the mending of hearts began after the stasis that had been placed after Yugi's return.

“Hey, I just thought of something…” Jonouchi piped up as Honda gave up trying to kill him. “… If you jump Yami now, wouldn't that be masturbation?”

“Uhg, gross Jonouchi…” Anzu groaned, and turned back to Honda missing the sudden light that seemed to click on inside of Jonouchi's mind after that statement.

“No seriously guys, don't you…Oh!” Jonouchi looked at Yugi, and Yugi felt his face flush, somehow knowing where this was going. Oh no… please no, not that…

It seemed karma had caught up with him.

“So that was your nightmare!”

“Jonouchi!”

 

^^^^^

“Thanks for walking me home Jou.” Yugi said with a pleasant smile as they rounded the last bend in the road. The Kame Game shop was just down the street, Yugi could see the brightly colored roof from where they stood, and again he felt his stomach clench with uncertain fear.

“Not a problem, I'm just surprised that Yami's actually staying out of your head for so long.” Jonouchi quipped, still a bit shocked at Yugi's confession when he'd asked the blond for moral support when he came out to his grandfather.

Though Anzu's words had eased his fear at lunch, four hours had a way of destroying such calm.

“Yeah, but its just like Anzu said,” Yugi admitted with a deep breath of the luke-warm air. The sun was slanted and tawny in the dwindling evening, casting long shadows upon the pavement. It was the time of day that made Yugi think of his childhood when summer nights seemed to take forever to come and he'd come running home chasing after his shadow, as though trying to catch up.

Trying to catch my shadow… Yugi smiled again, pleased with the irony before continuing with his explanation before Jonouchi had time to become annoyed with him. “Yami's always been afraid of “stealing” my time from me. He always said it was like living my life for me, and he felt he didn't have that right. I guess after what's happened he's become even more wary of it.” Yugi sighed. “I wish he'd stop worrying.”

“Yeah, well Yami's not the game playing pharaoh we all know and love if he isn't worrying himself sick over your well being and placing all who hurt you under shadow game penalties.” Jonouchi was laughing, though Yugi had the feeling that the comment had held more truth to it than Jonouchi wanted to share.

“Was it really that bad?” Yugi asked, feeling more guilt weigh down his conscious.

“Well… it was really bad, I'm not going to lie to you Yug'.” Jonouchi said, scratching the back of his neck a bit uncomfortably.

“What happened?” Yugi pressed, looking up at his friend. “I mean, you, Anzu, and Honda are all acting really cold towards Yami now. I just don't understand what happened.”

Jonouchi struggled a bit with his words, and side-stepped a quickly running child playing a game of tag with his buddies on the side walk, before answering. “You know, its not really my place to tell. When Yams' ready to tell ya, he will.”

“That's not really helpful, you know.”

“Yeah, well I doubt you want to divulge all those gory details about your first time with the pharaoh now do ya?”

Yugi felt his face heat up and he spluttered, and Jonouchi laughed loud, clapping Yugi on the back as he chuckled enjoying the moment with his friend. The sharp motion stung a little, and Yugi stumbled momentarily expecting his back to burn a little more before remembering that his back didn't have the scar tissue on it anymore, nor the sunburn from before.

“In all honesty Yugi,” Jonouchi began, his arm looped comfortably over Yugi's shoulders, and the weight was somehow comforting as they drew ever closer to the shop. “I don't think any of us were prepared for the consequences of your absence, least of all Yami. I think he was still suffering from the stress of loosing your soul in that game, and this was almost like a smack to the face for him. The rest of us… well, we weren't ready for him to lose it, and we all fell to pieces.”

Yugi winced, scuffing his toe into the ground. “Oh…”

“But don't worry, we all pulled back together at the end there, and right now, I think we're all just coming to grips with it all.” He laughed again shaking his head. “I mean, Honda actually helped out this time, so he must be accepting things as they are.”

“What do you mean?” Yugi asked, his curiosity piqued, but Jonouchi just coughed and turned away with a nervous chuckle.

“Nothing, Yug', just… go a little easy on the details of your relationship with him okay? He's a little… homophobic you know?” Jonouchi whispered the last conspiratorially, and Yugi gasped, his mouth forming an `o' shape of understanding.

So, that's what he meant… Yugi nodded his head in agreement with Jonouchi as they stepped up to the house, and as expected Sugoroku was out front sweeping the porch.

His grandfather did that everyday. Ever since the accident, as if this was his own therapeutic treatment, and stability: he greeted Yugi very day in place of his father, and his mother worked her self into a ghost. He'd long decided that things could have been worse and just grew accustomed with the new life he had, but at the moment, he wished his grandfather had had a different quirk.

“Hey, gramps!” Jonouchi called out, giving Yugi a small shove when he noticed the smaller duelist's tense stance in t doorway.

“Oh, hello Jou, you staying for dinner? Yugi didn't mention we'd have company.” Sugoroku responded kindly, giving Yugi a patient look, filled with concern and Yugi found it hard to meet those steady plumb colored eyes.

“Naw, I just walked Yugi home. We had a lot to talk about.” Jonouchi interrupted, and Yugi noticed the look that the blond was giving him.

It was a light threat, calmly announcing that if Yugi didn't say something son, his moral support would leave him on his own. Jou… Yugi whined mentally, looking nervously between his best friend and grandfather.

Sugoroku, having once been a master gamer himself, was most likely well aware of Yugi's unease and Jonouchi's not so subtle looks.

“Oh, anything I should know about?” Sugoroku asked, holding his broom in his hands carefully.

Yugi felt his pulse jump, and this time Yami sent him questioning feeling because of it a Yugi felt his insides twist. Shit, Yami knows we're home… damn, if I don't say it soon Yami will hear everything when I do finally tell Grandpa and then that would just be awkward… Yugi ignored the part of his mind that told him that things were all ready weird what with him telling everyone else about his feelings aside from the one who really should know. I already told him, he's just too stupid to believe it! Yugi told himself harshly as he finally found the courage to look up at his grandfather.

“Well, that's actually why I'm—“ Jonouchi was cut off as Yugi broke in. If he didn't do it now, he'd lose his nerve and if he couldn't face his grandfather, there was no chance he'd be able to face Yami.

“Jii-chan, I don't know how you ay feel about this, but I think that I should say something to you since this is your house, and in order for me to have what I want I'll need your full support.” Yugi heard his own voice as if through a radio. It sounded far away and distorted: not quite his own.

“Okay Yugi, what is it you need?” Sugoroku asked, and Yugi lost his words for a frightening moment. What if he kicks me out? Or says no… Yugi swallowed hard and felt the comforting weight of Jonouchi's hand on his shoulder.

The slight curl on fingers reminded him that even if it did go wrong, he always had a place to go, and if Yami couldn't stay with him he could always go with Jonouchi or one of his other friends, or so they had said.

“Yugi?” Sugoroku sounded a little frightened now, and Yugi felt that ever persistent emotion called guilt, tear away at his insides.

“Grandpa… I… I'm in love with Yami, and I want to give him his own body so we can… be together if he wants… and I… I—“ Yugi closed his eyes again at some point in his speech, attempting to regain his courage that was quickly leaking out of his body, and forced them open when his Grandfathers weathered old hand landed ob his head gently.

He held his breath as he looked up into the kind eyes he'd known his whole life and felt his body relax in a sort of heated numbness, when he noticed the soft crinkled skin at the corners of those eyes, and the understanding smile that softened his face.

“You grew up quite a bit when I wasn't looking, didn't you Yugi?”

The sudden burn of tears in his eyes made Yugi sniffle. His nose and lips felt funny with his repressed joy and he rubbed at them in a useless attempt to ward off his tears.

“See Yug', we all told ya he'd be fine with it.” Jonouchi said helpfully, and patted Yugi's shoulder as the small duelist managed to control his wayward emotions, just as his Yami had decided that he'd had enough with the roller coaster ride.

Aibou, is everything all right?

Yeah, Yami, everything's fine. I was just worrying over something I shouldn't have. Yugi replied, practically radiating joy, and felt Yami relax inside him.

Oh, well, if you are sure…

I am, thanks for worrying. Yugi returned feeling the spirit return to his soul room as soon as he noticed the others near Yugi, giving him his privacy.

“… he awake now?” Jonouchi asked, and at Yugi's nod he turned with a smirk. “Well then, on that note, I leave ya to smack some sense into your lover.”

“Jonouchi!” Yugi cried, now thourally embarrassed, only to have his friend laugh at his exclamation, and wave jubilantly back at him as he disappeared down the street, in the direction opposite of his house, but directly towards the Kaiba mansion.

“I take it Yami doesn't know yet?” Sugoroku questioned before Yugi could ponder Jonouchi's destination further, and Yugi turned back with a light blush, not certain how his grandfather would take his next statement.

“No, he knows, he just doesn't seem to believe it or something…” Yugi muttered, looking at his shoes.

Sugoroku chuckled deep in his chest and ruffled Yugi's hair. “Well then, I guess I'll take up Yoshimori on that offer to get a drink tonight, since your mother is down in Tokyo for work.”

Yugi felt his jaw slacken with shock as the elderly Mouto set his broom aside and casually entered the shop, flipping the sign on the door signaling that the shop was closed for the night.

“W—what?” Yugi stammered, running in after his grandfather and dumping his bag beside the counter as Sugoroku made the last minute checks on the register.

“Well, you want to be alone with Yami right?” Sugoroku said, just a little too comfortable with that thought for Yugi's comfort. “I'm assuming that while you were back there you two… ahem… consummated your feelings?”

“Jii-chan!” Yugi gasped, face changing from pale shock to cranberry red in record time. “How—what—why—uh… b…but…”

The elderly man waved his hand in a dismissing gesture as he closed the drawer with a resounding chime. “Come on now Yugi, was young once too, give me some credit.”

Yugi snapped his mouth shut instantly having no urge to say anything to that statement. How the hell did things turn out this way? I'm not sure which is worse his complete ease with my revelations or the idea of him finding me disgusting…

“Now, that does not mean that I want to hear you two expressing your feelings.” Sugoroku said bluntly and Yugi almost fell over his back as he forgot how to walk. “Now, I really don't care what your preference is so long as you are happy, but I am old and personally would not like to be plagued by the mental images of my grandson making love to his partner late at night while trying to sleep as you two—“

“I get it!” Yugi cried, smacking his hands over his ears in an attempt to block out his grandfather's words. “Thank you for your kind offer, I hope you have with Yoshimori, and believe me I'll be more than impotent while your home.” Yugi gasped out, his chest heaving in mortified horror.

Who the hell needed birth control or sex ed lessons with a grandfather like his. Just get him talking and you'll have one non-sexual being.

“Okay then.” Sugoroku said, as though reading Yugi's mind. He paused to call Yoshimori as Yugi collapsed at the kitchen table, laying his forehead on the cool surface in mild agony. I should have kept quiet…

“I'll be going now Yugi, it seems Arthur is back in town and wants to go over his findings with me. I'll probably stay out late, so if I'm not back or awake by nine, open the shop for me?”

“Sure.” Yugi said just glad to be back to a normal conversation.

“I'll ask about the details to your ritual while I'm out.” Sugoroku continued grabbing his coat on his way out.

“Thanks Grandpa.”

“Oh!” Sugoroku turned around quickly, his look stern. “I almost forgot Yugi.”

Riveted to his seat, Yugi turned curious of what it was that his Grandfather was so worried about. It seemed rather important to him, and he couldn't help but wonder what it could be.

“There's non-scented lotion in my bathroom cupboard, it'll come in handy tonight. I'm sure Yami will know—“

“Goodbye!” Yugi cried, his hands once again pressed over his ears like a vice as his grandfather left with a good-natured chuckle.

I'll never get an erection again as long as I live… Yugi thought sadly as he slumped further into his seat. “Why couldn't I have a normal grandfather? One that would freak out at the notion of me having sex?”

The gods seemed disinclined to answer.

 

^^^^^

 

The soft feel of cotton against his newly washed, tingling skin felt blissful, and Yugi moaned in satisfaction, stretching out his arms and back delighting in the full rage of motion he got from his un injured arms and back.

“Oh, that feels good.”

Aibou, you act as though you haven't bathed in years. Yami retorted from inside his mind, the comment light and playful. Yugi smiled glad to have his dark back.

“Yeah, well after the day I've had I'd say I deserved it.” Yugi shot back with a smile, determinedly ignoring the memory of his grandfather's parting words from two hours before.

Was it really that bad? I'm sorry Aibou, had I known you needed me I—

“No, it's fine. I was okay, it was just a little aggravating.” Yugi grinned sitting down upon his bed, pulling his legs up after him, holding on to his ankles, rocking a little feeling happier than he had all day.

Oh, well, if you are sure. Yami responded predictably, and Yugi stopped rocking, his eyes focused on his lap.

“… Yami?” Yugi asked, feeling his heart flip-flop in his chest in excitement at the prospect that he was daring to attempt. Well, when else will I have the opportunity, not to mention the okay?

Yes, Aibou? Yami asked, and Yugi felt his confusion at his internal thought, and Yugi flushed, biting his lip.

“I… uhm, I'd like to talk to you about something.”

He could clearly feel Yami's nervousness, and could only guess that he thought Yugi was going to tell him the same thing his friends had thought of at lunch. Yes Aibou?

“Could you come out here… I mean, could you… maybe, become solid?” Yugi asked timidly, and felt the shock through their shared link before Yami complied.

The slight burn of separation made Yugi's breath hitch in his chest and he squeezed his eyes shut at the uncomfortable sensation.

“Aibou?” Yami's voice echoed in his mind a bit, proof that the body he'd taken wasn't really a body at all but a solid manifestation of his soul. It was an illusion of truth, but Yugi was in love with the falsity.

“Yami.” Yugi turned, grinning like a fool, but he couldn't help himself. The endearment his Yami used warmed him to the core, and it felt good to hear it so often.

“You needed to talk to me a bout something?” Yami asked, always on the ball, and in a way, breaking it.

Without much thought Yugi stepped closer, watching the cautious tracing Yami's eyes made, and wrapped his dark in his arms.

The gasp was near silent, and Yami's chest didn't fill with air, but it did jerk in shock, and Yugi held tighter, pressing himself as close to Yami as he physically could. Still it wasn't close enough.

“Yugi, what…?” Yami asked, and the fact that he'd used Yugi's name instead of the usual Aibou, spoke volumes to Yugi.

“I missed you… so much.”

Yami stiffened, struck by Yugi's words, and that lump of pain he'd felt the moment he'd woken on the sand alone returned, and Yugi felt himself struggling to speak around it. “When I woke up in the desert and you weren't there… I couldn't feel you at all… I was so scared.”

Yami twitched in his arms, as though hurt and Yugi pressed her face into the center of Yami's chest, breathing in the smell of his soul, and letting his mind continuously brush against Yami's for comfort. He knew he was falling back into that dependant mode he'd been in before, but at the moment he couldn't bring himself to care.

“I was certain that you'd come for me, but you never came.” Yugi admitted to his deepest pain from the trip, and with their minds so closely pressed it was hard to imagine that Yami didn't notice Yugi's sad attachment to that memory.

The spirit's reaction was swift and predictable, and Yugi almost reveled in it. “Aibou, I did try. I wanted to come after you, but I couldn't. If I'd left—“

Yugi cut him off, not liking the guilty feelings that rolled off of his usually calm and determined dark. “I knew you did, but for some reason I didn't want to… so I looked for you, and then I found you.”

The jerk Yami made at that part was well felt, and Yugi inwardly sighed, realizing just how much his darkness believed in the nonsense his friends had been spouting and he had the urge to smack Yami for his stupidity. Then again, if my memories were as unreliable as his, I wouldn't believe them all either… Yugi thought to himself, and was glad that Yami hadn't over heard it.

“I met you, and then I blamed you.” Yugi began, knowing from the emotions and flashes of memory he received from Yami's side of the link that his dark knew exactly what he was referring to with each statement. “I came to know you, befriended you, danced for you, trusted you… slept with you…” Yugi trailed off to a whisper at the end as Yami tensed, and he was certain that if he'd spoken any louder, it would have snapped the spirit in half.

“Aibou, I'm so sorry…” Yami apologized, his arms embracing Yugi close to him, and Yugi relaxed, his eyes closing at the words. Those were the ones that separated Atemu from Yami, the words that let Yugi know that he was home with his soul partner, his equal. “Aibou, I—I'm so sorry, I didn't… it wasn't… I'm not…”

Yami's inability to make a coherent sentence was frightening, and Yugi pulled back away from Yami's hold to grab his dark's face, lifting it up to look into those shattered crimson eyes.

It wasn't right, seeing such guilt, and pain, and fear in such a regal face, and Yugi almost cried for the defeat in his eyes. Now he understood why the group had crumbled. Yami had always been the driving force of strength amongst them, because he was a true leader, and when he fell apart, everything else tumbled down with him.

“… I felt guilty Yami.”

Confusion fused into cerise eyes, and Yami blinked uncomprehendingly at Yugi a moment. “Guilty? But why? Aibou, It was my—“ Again Yugi cut him short with a press of one finger to his lips.

The heat he felt there made him shiver and Yugi wanted nothing more than to feel those lips on his own kissing him. He'd known that mouth once he was almost dying to be reacquainted once more.

“Because it wasn't you.” Yugi watched as the guilt was replaced by hope, and the uncertain mess slowly drew together as strength returned. “… it was you, but not you. It was a you who didn't know me, who hadn't suffered with me through so much, and had called me aibou, and it hurt me. Because…” Yugi paused, his heart in his throat. He was a little nervous, but he found it amazingly easy to look up and into Yami's eyes as he said what his heart had been dying to say since he first woke up in his soul room one month before. “I love you, Yami.”

There was stillness for a long time, as a deep calm seemed to pass over Yami then. His eyes eased closed, and a soft, almost neutral smile graced his regal mouth.

If he could have breathed, Yugi was certain he would have done so through his nose. It was like he was letting it all sink into him, and he was relishing in it. Yugi smiled at the feelings he felt through their bond, as Yami allowed his doubts to fade.

He'd known the truth all along he was just afraid that he'd be wrong, and that too was something only his Yami who had been through so much more than his past self, would do even when given so much proof.

“I had hoped…” Yami began, but he seemed unable to finish, and Yugi giggled, bringing those passionate eyes back to him and he shook his head at his other affectionately.

“I know. Sorry, I didn't say something sooner, I wasn't under the impression that you were delusional.” Yugi added, breaking the tension swiftly. It killed the mood he'd been looking for, but for some reason he wanted to have a moment of normalcy with his dark, and Yami seemed to need it as well.

Yami cocked an eyebrow at him, feigning hurt, “Well your repetitious English class can have that affect on someone.”

Yugi laughed long and hard in agreement. His sides ached and he clutched them, his cheeks hurting from all the work he'd given them. “I guess your right, though I am amazed that you managed to turn in a paper for me and get a passing grade at that!”

Yami smirked, once more confident and strong and Yugi's chest practically swelled with joy. “I am the king of games after all.”

Yugi rolled his eyes. “Yeah, right. When you can prove to me that homework is a game…” Yugi broke off to change his word choice, “…that English is a game, then I'll believe that one.”

Yami just gave him a look, dressed in a similar outfit that mirrored Yugi's own. Yugi couldn't help but chuckle to himself when he noticed that his dark was indeed wearing identical starry pajamas.

What is so funny, Aibou? Yami asked, tilting his head to the side, and Yugi shook his head, sitting back down on his bed.

I think I need to get you your own pajamas… Yugi chuckled, looking Yami up and down.

Yami glanced down at his own body, holding his arms out to the side and tilting his hips from side to side to better see his clothes. Finally he looked back up. “What? Don't I look cute in them? You do.”

Yugi grinned, choosing not to react to the cute comment. “Yami, cute and you… uh… that is…”

“Are you implying that I am not cute, Aibou?” Yami asked daringly, suddenly leaning down over Yugi's form, and Yugi laughed, flopping back onto his back looking up at his dark, hands raised in defense.

“No, I'm just saying that I like you better looking sexy… you know like in your leather…” Yugi trailed off with a dark blush. Oh my god did I just say that?

“Yes Aibou, you did.” Yami purred looking pleased and amused as he climbed upon the bed, from what Yugi could tell ready to continue their little game, but his mood suddenly changed as he stilled propped above Yugi's body.

Yugi blinked up, slightly confused by the end of the good humor between them, and caught the warm, needy look in those red eyes he always searched for in a crowd for what felt like forever.

“Yami, what's wrong?”

“Yugi…” Yami started, his eyes scanning Yugi's face before locking onto his own, looking uncertain and a little fearful. “… may I take you?”

The question both broke and mended his heart all at once. Yami had asked him as though he doubted he'd be allowed, and yet he need to so desperately claim him as his own, and for a moment Yugi understood his need.

Yugi had been without for a month, but Yami had been craving his touch for three millennia.

The spirit took his long silence as uncertainty and started talking again, almost rambling in his nerves. “I know this is fast… but, I've been meaning to tell you for some time, I just never thought you'd ever turn to me. You were always looking at Anzu, and then I thought I'd lost you.” Yami punctuated this statement by running his palm down the side of Yugi's face cupping it gently, his thumb stroking his cheek. “I know I'm asking a lot from you Aibou, and if its too quick for you, I can wait. I will wait…”

Yugi moved forward quickly, silencing Yami with his lips. The touch was like kissing a battery, and the tingle ran all the way down his spine. Yugi cooed, loving the missed sensation more than he ever could have known.

Yami slumped eagerly towards him, is lips pressing gently to his, keeping the kiss innocent and chaste, simply feeling the closeness this simple act created. Careful hands slipped around his narrow waist, as Yugi slipped his own around Yami's broad shoulders, encouraging a deeper embrace.

Yami released a contented groan, lying upon Yugi's body gratefully when Yugi lifted his legs to cradle Yami between them. He felt his face flush at his forwardness but no embarrassment was felt as Yugi let his fingers tangle into Yami's hair, tracing the soft skin their and upon his sensitive scalp.

Pulling back to breath Yugi caught Yami's eyes, unsure of when he'd closed them and whispered to his dark, his lips brushing Yami's with each breath. “Fast? Yami, we've known each other for two years in this time, and three thousand from last time. This is not fast.” Yugi winked up at him, “Now, kiss me, and take me, or I'll be forced to show you why I'm also called the king of games.”

A flicker of interest flashed through those eyes, and for a moment Yugi thought Yami might just take him up on his little game, but it was quickly smothered up with the soft loving look. Games could wait for later, this time was Yami's. More than anything else, Yami needed to feel in control so that his badly shaken confidence could be returned. Yugi understood that, and was more than happy to let his dark have control of this round.

They had all night for games.

“I might have to challenge you to a match sometime then, won't I?” Yami asked, his voice a low tease to Yugi's senses, and he shivered pleasantly as warm lips once more descended upon his own in a sweet kiss that left him aching inside for more. Not more contact, or more stimuli, just more of Yami. Of his voice, his mind, his scent, his thoughts, his touch, his taste, his existence. Yugi just craved more, and he knew that craving would never be satisfied, but that was fine by him, so long as he was able to keep his addiction close to him.

I love you… Yugi thought to his dark, his thought purer than they'd ever been before, and his toes curled in delight, that aching soothed slightly, at the truthful husky response he received from Yami.

I love you, Aibou… both then, and now…

For some reason Yugi felt relieved.

 

^^^^^

 

Yugi's lips were just as he'd remembered, and yet so much sweeter than simple memory supplied. It was in a sense their first kiss together, yet Yami knew that they had kissed many times before in his past. No, this is our first kiss… I am not the same. Yami thought, feeling the truth behind his words in the way Yugi responded to his touches.

Yami sighed, sinking further against the form of his light, reestablishing his claim over that blessed being, and reassuring himself of the need that Yugi had for him. The smaller male seemed to understand his need and let out a soft sound of desire as he pressed upwards and against him, gentle hands looping over Yami's shoulders to clutch at his back lovingly, fingertips trailing burning designs over his flesh.

The softness of the touches, and the slow grace that they moved with was like a silent plead to his senses. Protect me, was its call and Yami sank into the role it asked for thankfully, grunting with his own need to conquer Yugi, and be conquered in return.

Yugi…Yami called out, his lips moving against Yugi's urging him to deepen the touch of their mouths into the deeper loving motion of a kiss. Yugi's mind brushed his own as that warm mouth complied, lips synchronizing their movement to conform with the pressing of his own.

Yami grunted, the last of his tension easing from his body as he rose above his light, his hands moving to caress Yugi's body. He kept the touches light, feeling the contours of his lover's body through the soft fabric of his precious nightwear. He would not trespass through that barrier until Yugi had made it plain that he could.

He was no longer pharaoh, and would no longer expect Yugi to do as he pleased after the first initial okay. No, this time they were equals, he was Yami and Yugi was his light, his Aibou, his other, and he would earn the right to be inside of his light once more.

Yugi let out a gasp as Yami trailed his hands over his arms to curl their fingers together, intimately his thumb soothing over Yugi's knuckles in a gesture that showed his gratefulness that Yugi was allowing this to happen. As those lips parted, Yami took the chance to coax Yugi's lower lip between his own.

A pleasant shiver took over Yugi's form, and his breathing sped up just slightly, as Yami slipped his lips over his own, sucking Yugi's lip into his hot mouth to tease it with his tongue only to let it slip away as Yugi shifted at the sensations.

At the sudden release, Yugi whimpered, his hand pulling free from Yami's grip easily, as Yugi moved to keep that pleasurable contact, and his fingers tangled into Yami's hair. The scrap of Yugi's fingernails on his scalp once more sent a tingle rushing through his every nerve, and Yami relaxed, easily allowing Yugi to roll them till he was the one upon his back, with Yugi pinning him down, his desire pushing him to deepen the kiss.

Yami smirked, and hummed low in pride as Yugi's talented tongue darted out to invade his mouth. Yami slipped one leg between Yugi's testing his body, and the hard press of Yugi arousal made Yami tingle with desire.

He let his hands drag down Yugi's back, the sweat making them cling to the fabric as he slowly moved his thigh against Yugi's need. Yugi hissed and bit Yami's captured lip. The sting made Yami jerk and groan as Yugi's hands pulled from his hair to capture his wandering hands to urge them under the fabric of his shirt, cooing sweetly at the brush of skin on his quivering belly.

“…Yami…” Yugi breathed, his cheeks flushed, and words husky with his want and emotions. It scalded Yami's skin and he pushed to Yugi a little harder, slipping his hands deceptively softly against his damp skin, feeling the flutter of Yugi's heartbeat as it pulsed thickly in his stomach.

He let his finger skim the skin slowly, loving the tremors he brought to Yugi's body, and the Goosebumps that rose to his flesh. Yugi trembled, his hands slipping from Yami's wrists as his mind burned in the attention he was receiving. Yami found he loved the helpless look on Yugi's face and his inability to move.

It was an over whelming sense of power of control that almost frightened him. He'd failed to protect his light so many times before, and yet here Yugi was, placing his life back into Yami's hands not in the least bit worried that his dark might fail him again. It was humbling, and the warm flow of love intensified, encouraging Yami to moving his kisses from Yugi mouth to his cheeks, eyes, jaw, and up to his sensitive ear.

“mr wi ntk…” Yami breathed, the ancient language sounding ruddy in the air between them, and Yugi expressive amethyst eyes shot open, somehow more clear and bright than before.

Tears welled in those eyes for the words that Yugi had somehow needed far more than he'd even realized. Yami, pulled close kissing Yugi's eyes gently, whispering his love again and again into the soft downy skin, his hands paused over Yugi heart, somehow knowing that the steady beat was all for him, and it always had.

“… gods aibou,” Yami whispered, capturing Yugi's sensitive lobe in his mouth and suckling the skin as Yugi lied flush against him, his own heated lips tattooing his affections into his skin in fleeting kisses that trailed over his collarbone and up into his throat.

Tiny hands trailed down his back from under his shirt, and slowed to stroke the dip in his spine. The touch was so tender, so pleasing that Yami arched up, rubbing his own erection into Yugi's soft lower belly.

They both moaned at the intimate contact, Yugi breath fanning over Yami's skin in a burning caress as he whimpered alluringly, and Yami pulled him closer, his hands tracing down his back, memorizing the smooth skin, unconsciously grateful for the smooth, unscarred flesh under his palms.

“Yami… take off my shirt.” Yugi said breathlessly, his own fingers tugging the buttons free from Yami's top, and Yami shivered at the demand, his cerise eyes locking on Yugi's. The smaller duelist looked flustered and desperate to feel Yami's skin against his own, and Yami smirked, leaning up to kiss Yugi's slightly up-turned nose.

“Of course, aibou.” Yami said, slowly removing his hands making sure that the slid over every inch of Yugi's torso, dipping his fingertip into Yugi's navel once before he began his slow work over Yugi's buttons.

Yugi grunted when he `d finished Yami's shirt, and pressed in close, capturing Yami's dusky nipple in his lips, suckling like an infant. Yami groan, his hands clutching the fabric, no longer able to continue his task. That seemed to annoy Yugi as he whimpered, and pressed closer, his hands shoving the cloth off of Yami's shoulders only to have it tangle behind him as Yami's hands were busy.

Yugi's hands trapped the escaping heat of his skin, and rolled over the skin in lustful motions, and Yami arched and tensed under the ministrations, his skin growing damp with sweat, though he thought it might have just been from Yugi, he wasn't sure how real this solid body really was at all, but he didn't concentrate too much on it. There were much more important matters, such as Yugi's hot little mouth moving to his other nipple now that one was hard and erect.

His penis gave a twitch as Yugi attached his mouth to the other nipple, and those fingers slipped over his hips and sides, testing his skin, before slipping up his shoulders, down his arms, and finally curling home in his own hands.

A moment later they were coaxing Yami to continue to remove his top, and Yami chuckled, pleased with Yugi's single mindedness, but his humor seemed to bug his light, as Yugi bit the nipple in his mouth to gain his attention.

“Ow!” Yami exclamation brought a bout of guilt that was clearly felt through their link and Yami smiled to ease the feeling. He released the fabric of the shirt to press his palms to the planes of Yugi's chest and massage gently, feeling Yugi's nipples through the cloth and urging them to harden.

Yugi gasped, arching at the touch, and the motion sent a plash of recognition through Yami's mind, and he groaned, arching closer, his hands pressing a little more urgently. Yugi looked just as he had when he'd danced for him back in Khemet. Yami's body trembled in remembrance and Yugi rolled back against him with a sigh, his lips parting temptingly as he whined.

“Yami… s—stop teasing me, take… take off my… shirt…” Yugi was breathless in the end, and Yami growled low in his chest, feeling overpoweringly possessive of that voice and face and once more rolled them, claiming his position on top, shrugging his top from him quickly.

“How cruel of me, forgive me my light…” Yami soothed, kissing Yugi's cheeks, and lips in fleeting kisses as his hands eased the buttons from their place slowly, knowing Yugi wanted him to move faster.

Yami, please… faster…Yugi coaxed, and Yami smirked, kissing Yugi's forehead, one hand laying flush against the open skin he'd revealed, feeling that heart beat pound against his palm.

“Shh, Yugi, soon enough. I promise, I just want to see you dance for me…”

Yugi's eyes flew open and the color of his face darkened even as a grin passed over his face. Yugi really did love performing for him, and it gave Yami such delight to see his aibou so pleased.

Then remove my shirt and I'll give you a show. Yugi tempted, and Yami purred, moving his hand to kiss Yugi's skin, feeling that heart jump under his attention.

The skin was warm, and tasted vaguely of sweat. The heavy scent of musk and the rain and sea air filled his senses and drugged him pleasantly. Yami licked the skin his hands pushing Yugi's shirt apart so that his hands could curl around those slim hips and hold Yugi closer still. Why don't you dance for me right hear aibou, beneath me… remind me why I wanted to throw you down and take you every time you danced for me before.

Yugi giggled breathlessly, and the spike of passion from Yugi's side of the link let him know that his words were well aimed. Yami smiled, moving his kisses to Yugi's throat, as he eased Yugi up slightly to remove his shirt and then slid close to feel the brush of skin on skin.

They both groaned, holding still momentarily, just enjoying the closeness, and then Yugi rolled his body coyly, his body arching and moving in controlled motions. Yami gasped silently, his eyes looking over Yugi's body as he pulled back watching Yugi's dance and felt the burn engulf his senses, and his hands slid down to hold Yugi's hips, loving the feel of them moving in his grasp and he groaned, eyes half-closing in passion. “Gods Yugi, I missed you… aibou…”

Yami breathed, his lips finding Yugi's for a drugging kiss, as he allowed his body to move down Yugi's winding one, laying kisses and nips, tasting his skin, and feeling the quivering muscles that twitch beneath the cover of his pale skin.

“… me too… me too…” Yugi's voice was tense with tears, but the lack of sadness or pain in the link reassured him that it was because he was glad to be back, and he placed a loving kiss onto Yugi's belly, right where his heartbeat shook the skin.

Yugi grunted, breaking the sensual rhythm of his dance to buck against Yami's kiss and Yami felt the hardened touch of Yugi's erection against his collarbone. “Excited little one?” Yami asked, his hand lowering to rub at the straining flesh and Yugi cried out, his head throwing back, his teeth clenching.

The sight was everything Yami had dreamed of and craved since his release from the puzzle and he couldn't stop himself from darting up and silencing Yugi's cries with his mouth as he eased his tongue into Yugi's mouth, tasting the remaining sweet taste from the jelly roll Yugi had eaten before his shower.

I love you… Yami thought, his hands lowering to pull Yugi's pants from his body, and the sliding cloth made Yugi's heart speed up as he clung to Yami, his own tongue joining the kiss.

Yami… please… again… Yugi asked, his thoughts disjointed by the soft caresses and loving pull that eased his pants and boxers from his body. Yami couldn't keep the smirk from his face, as he eased the urgency of the kiss, pulling back till Yugi met his eyes.

“I love you, Yugi Mouto.”

Yugi closed his eyes savoring the sound, as though they hadn't been saying the words endlessly to each other since they'd begun and breathed out his expected reply. “… aishiteru, ore no Pharaoh.”

Yami smirked, placing a quick kiss to Yugi's lips. “Pharaoh? Of what Aibou? My kingdom is long gone, so what is it that I control now?”

“My heart.” Yugi replied, giving him a cute look, “What else?”

Yami smiled and kissed him more firmly before moving back down Yugi's body, pausing to suckle and kiss his skin at the spots he knew was most sensitive before reaching his navel, loving it with his mouth slowly.

Yugi let out a squeal that scalded Yami's insides and almost made him lose himself right then and there. If I'm the pharaoh of your heart… then that makes you the god that I worship. Yami thought deliriously, his hands tracing up and down Yugi's shivering thighs that fell easily open at his touch.

“Yami!” Yugi called, and Yami couldn't hold back any longer. Pulling away from Yugi's stomach he pressed two quick kisses to the juncture of his thighs and hip before slipping Yugi's hard, weeping member into his mouth.

His hands grasped Yugi's hips to hold them still as his hip bucked up quickly, and his feet kicked the mattress in rebellion at the hold. “Ah! Hah, hng! Yami!” Yugi screamed, his voice squeaky with breathless need, and his temperature spiked bringing more sweat to his skin, enhancing Yugi's musk, and Yami reveled in it.

The taste was different, salty, yet slightly sweet from the snacks Yugi had a tendency to devour, and Yami devoted it to memory, and he rolled Yugi's manhood around in his mouth, making sure his tongue was coated with the flavor.

Yugi had taken to making a pleasurable squeak and moaning sound, his hands curled up to his mouth, as tears of passion eased from his eyes. Yami hummed knowing the vibration would feel nice against his over sensitized skin. As he thought, Yugi jerked and whined for more, and Yami felt himself swell with masculine pride.

Sucking Yugi's erection a little longer, Yami slid himself free from his own pants and boxers, and shivered at the feel of cool air that touched his hot member. With his hands no longer restraining Yugi's hips, Yugi was free to buck up and deeper into Yami's mouth when he groaned, and did just that.

Gagging in surprise, Yami pulled back raising over Yugi, swallowing as he looked at Yugi's needy face. His skin speckled in love marks, and flushed a healthy color, all for him, because of him.

Sliding over him, Yami kissed Yugi's parted lips, giving the small one a taste of himself as he ground their hips together, now free from the barrier of clothes.

The new sensations left them panting and moaning against one another, and as they rocked together, Yami realized that he would need to find something to use for lubrication if they intended to complete their lovemaking.

Top drawer. Yugi supplied casually, and Yami froze surprised that Yugi, his Yugi would have such a thing.

Sliding the drawer open, sure enough, he found a rather large tube of KY massage oil. He lifted a curious eyebrow, his insides burning at the label that mentioned that the oil warmed on contact. Aibou…

“Don't ask.” Yugi interrupted, his cheeks flushed darkly, and Yami got the impression that there was a complicated story behind the tube in his hand, and he mentally made a note to ask later.

Chuckling, Yami uncapped the oil and placed some in his hands, slicking his fingers generously, before pausing, catching Yugi's eyes—internally groaning at the heat that penetrated his fingers and from the way Yugi spread his legs expectantly—and asked again, “May I take you, aibou?”

Yugi grinned, nodding his head, biting his lip cutely his eyes shinning with anticipation. “Yami?” He asked, as Yami bent to place his first finger at Yugi's entrance, and Yami stopped instantly.

“Yes, aibou?”

Yugi met his eyes, chewing on his lip in slight nervousness, and Yami felt the need to comfort his light well up, even as Yugi whispered, his voice tense with slight nervousness.

“Kiss me?”

Yami smiled, easily moving up and capturing Yugi lips in a gentle, soothing kiss that eased the last traces of Yugi's tension. Anytime, Yugi. I belong to you… only you.

Yugi sighed, his lips curling up in a silly smile, as Yami circled his fingertip at Yugi's entrance. Yugi grunted, clinging closer as Yami slowly eased the slick digit inside of his hot, tight, little body.

Yami hissed through the kiss, sharply reminding himself that this was only Yugi's second time, to avert his mind from how mind-blowingly good Yugi felt inside. The kiss turned intense as he focused on making his hands gentle, as he slowly pushed and pulled his finger deep inside, slowly stretching Yugi with every kiss, moan, caress, and thrust.

Soon Yugi was accepting both of his fingers with ease, the scissoring motion inside making Yugi arch and whine in pleasure. Yami kept it up a while longer, enjoying watching Yugi's face lost in feeling before a brush of Yugi's thigh against his own neglected erection, reminded him of what he needed.

Pulling his fingers from Yugi's body, Yami groaned as Yugi whimpered, and clung to him as though trying to make him come back. Kissing Yugi's cheek he eased away.

“Hush, aibou, it's all right, I'm right here. I just need to—“ Yami broke off on a startled gasp as Yugi's hand pulled around his manhood, squeezing pleasantly.

“Let me, Yami?” Yugi asked, his eyes half-closed, looking up at him in a seductive way that made him shiver with deep sated desire. Yugi's thumb rolled over the head of his erection, and Yami groan, closing his eyes at the sensation and was lost as Yugi curled close, his hot breath fanning over his straining need.

Yami gasped, arching, and opened his mouth to stop Yugi and was cut off by his own shout of passion as Yugi pulled his tip into that hot mouth.

Yami's fingers curled into the bed sheets to keep from moving as Yugi slowly adjusted. Suckling the tip studiously, Yugi slowly and shallowly inched his way down, taking Yami into his mouth as far as he could, before releasing him and tilting his head to lick up the sides coating Yami's length with his saliva.

Unable to take any more, Yami grabbed Yugi's shoulders and gently pulled him up from his throbbing and aching burning need, pressing him back into the sheets.

Their eyes met as Yami slipped his legs between Yugi's, feeling the skin glide against skin making both shiver. Slowly Yami lifted Yugi's legs up, angling his hips so that he could enter him, and then stopped once more.

“Yugi, are you sure?” Yami asked one last time, though his tone implied that he really didn't want to ask, and Yugi smirked. One small hand lifted up to tangle in Yami's hair bringing his face back down to his own, kissing him lovingly.

Yami, please, I need to feel you… please.

Yami didn't question again.

With a steady push, he entered Yugi's body, feeling that tight heat stretch to hold him and he trembled at the blissful feeling on his need. The sensations that poured into him from Yugi's side made him gasp, and strain to move slower at the light pain he felt, and he grabbed Yugi's hands in a crushing hold, needing that connection more tan anything else, and felt Yugi's fingers curl around his own as he slid all the way home.

 

^^^^^

 

Yugi bit his lip, throwing his head back at the slight sting and the overwhelming burn of completeness that consumed him. Oh gods… yes, Yami… Yugi thought his every limb quaking with shocks of pleasure as inch by inch he was filled till finally Yami rested fully inside of him.

Yugi breathed deeply, holding Yami's hands as he waited for his body to adjust and felt the urge to move from Yami's side of the link, and the resistance that Yami placed on himself to remain still.

Touched at the concern Yugi, kissed the skin that was in reach, lifting his numb legs from their places on the mattress where they were dropped by Yami as he'd moved to hold his hands, and wrapped them around Yami's hips, rolling once to show that he was ready.

Yami grunted and his hips bucked once in return, slightly un prepared for the feelings after having gone without physical love for three thousand years. Yugi moaned as that motion struck his prostate and made his body tingle from the duel assault from his back end and his erection that was pressed between their sweaty bodies.

“… Yami… move…” Yugi gasped, and felt his dark quiver, his lips kissing his neck gratefully as he pulled out and thrust back in, only after the okay from Yugi.

Fuck, Aibou… you're so tight… so hot… I love you… Yami's thought trailed off into muddied and slurred hieratic and Yugi shivered again at the lustful quality he brought out in his dark, and tightened his body, moving in the slow rhythm of dance.

The feeling of Yami so deep inside of him as he rolled and rocked made his gasp and whimper at every motion, and Yami was forced into a harder rhythm of the base beat to his dance.

Yugi cried out at the hard and deep thrusting that made sweat drip from Yami's bangs to dapple his body and face, as Yami lifted up above him, driving in almost harshly, but the tender grip of his hands, and the way he panted and pleaded with Yugi, showering words of praise and love softened the action and made it almost sweet.

The rocking and pushing was quickly pushing Yugi towards his end, and Yugi clung to the sweaty hands that had yet t release his own, and kissed Yami's arms and chest needily, as his pants became ragged and his belly knotted with tense release.

“Ah, Y—yami… God… Yami… please…” Yugi breathed, arching up and loosing his rhythm as his erection was again rubbed harshly between them, as Yami shoved back into Yugi's body, grinding deep in side.

“Pharaoh's… fine…” Yami quipped, jokingly, and Yugi smiled briefly before his mind was lost in the haze of loving lust once more.

“So good Aibou…” Yami breathed, collapsing over him, and capturing his lips in a sloppy kiss that melted Yugi's insides as it broke and reassembled quickly with his need to breath. “Tell me… say… you… love… me…” Yami breathed out between kisses, one of his hands releasing Yugi's to cup his cheek, stroking it loving before reaching between them to place a better, continuous friction to Yugi's need.

The scream was almost silent but still ripped at Yugi's throat at the sensations that nearly forced him to completion, and was left shaking, his legs barely able to stay up around Yami's hips. The sweat made his legs slip a little and he grappled to re situate his legs, and his prostate was hit again, throwing him into a numbed state that left his legs falling to rest on the bed, no longer able to stay up on their own.

Aibou… please… tell me. Yami urged again, and Yugi cooed breathlessly, opening one eye to look into those cerise eyes he loved so much, and lifted his one shaky hand to hold Yami's face, feeling his eyes fill with tears as he managed a smile through the heated pleasure.

I love you, Yami… gods how much I love you… Yugi thought, his face crumpling in pleasured love as his lips were caught in a hard kiss, filled with raw emotions that crested and flowed between their linked minds, and in the torrent of it all, Yugi felt himself crest that edge, falling into the heat that was his Yami, as he spilled his essence over his Yami's hand and both their sweaty chests.

Yami grunted, his arms pulling Yugi close to his chest, and Yugi wished he could feel a heartbeat, as he too crested the edge and a deep warmth filled him.

Yami collapsed against him, heavy and exhausted, but rolled slowly, slipping free, and Yugi winced a bit from the residual sting and was promptly kissed, as Yami dragged him back into his arms, as their bodies cooled in the night air.

Laying there, Yugi traced invisible words into Yami's skin, where his heart should be, enjoying the closeness as they basked in their afterglow. The silence was comforting and Yugi stretched a little as his body thrummed with sated comfort.

“That was nice.”

“Nice? Three thousand years of pent up frustration, and all you can say is nice?” Yami asked, sounding hurt, and Yugi chuckled at the bluff, kissing Yami's mouth, loving the fact that he could.

The uncomfortable chill of the room made Yugi pull closer to the warmth of Yami's solid form, and he smirked as Yami deepened the kiss, his arms pulling closer and tighter as desire arose again.

You know what I mean Yami… you felt it… Yugi eased, only to smirk in satisfaction as he rolled them both so that he was atop of Yami, straddled naked on his belly.

Ending the kiss he sat up with a mischievous glint in his eyes, that Yami couldn't miss. The spirit let his arms rest by his head, in a submissive posture that had Yugi's toes curling.

“Like what you see, Aibou?” He asked smugly, and Yugi grinned.

“Yeah, but you know, three thousand years must have given you a few fun fantasies, huh?” Yugi hinted, enjoying the quick understanding and challenging light that filled his Yami's eyes.

“Go on.” Yami encouraged, his hands lifting to hold Yugi's hips.

“Why don't you share some with me?” Yugi offered, and let out a yelp of surprise as he was tossed back onto his back with his dark looming over him with a deep smirk.

“How about I show you instead?” Yami asked already capturing Yugi's willing lips in another kiss sure to rekindle the heat that Yugi needed.

 

^^^^^

 

“Yami, would you mind so much if we tried Rebecca's plan?” Yugi asked in the soft glow of dawn, wrapped up in the arms of his dark, comfortably resting in Yami's top, while the spirit wore the matching bottoms.

Yami would have to return to his spirit form soon, and he wasn't yet ready to release him. Yami's reluctance only heightened Yugi's own, and kept him cradled in his arms, his longer fingers playing with the softer strands of Yugi's hair.

“… you mean ask Ptah for my own body?”

“Yeah.”

“Why do you ask, aibou?” Yami questioned, sounding tired but satisfied, and Yugi snuggled closer, feeling as though he still needed to be closer to Yami, even after spending the night being as close as humanly—well more than humanly—possible.

“… I just…” Yugi began, but trailed off as his words deserted him, and felt a gentle kiss on the crown of his head.

“You wish to be together, like this, correct?”

Yugi nodded, wrapping his arms possessively around that trim waist and breathing in the lingering sent he had long ago categorized as Yami. “Without you having headaches afterwards. I want to have a life with you. A life… you can enjoy too.”

“Aibou, you spoil me.” Yami whispered, his hands trailing down his spine in a loving manner that left Yugi feeling complete inside.

The sun was starting to peer through the curtains and into the room, and Yugi wondered what time it was, desperately hoping he didn't have to open p the shop too soon.

“I am fine as I am now, and would love to have my own body Aibou. I am content either way, with whatever you decide.” Yami whispered, still playing with his hair.

Yugi pulled away sitting up on his arms to look Yami in the eyes. “But, Yami, this is your life, your body we're talking about, so it's your choice, not mine.” Yugi countered, ready to argue his point only to have Yami press his forehead against Yugi's, his nose tapping Yugi's.

“I made the choice to see the mummies Aibou, so this time, it is your call. I would feel much better if you made this choice.”

Yugi pouted mock glaring up into cerise eyes that simply stared back giving away nothing. With a sigh he flopped back down onto Yami's chest, biting him lightly. “Damn you and your poker face…”

“Love you too Aibou.” Yami chuckled, poking Yugi's side in retaliation. Squirming, Yugi bit Yami again and received another poke from his dark. Grinning Yugi sat up, grabbing his pillow and soundly hitting Yami in the head with it.

“… Yugi…” Yami threatened playfully already, taking the pillow from him. Yugi eeped, and tried to roll from the bed but was caught in his attempt and pulled back into his bed where his dark continued to tickle him breathless.

 

From the shadowed corner of the room, a pare of eyes watched, with a calm sort of relief as the pharaoh and his light playfully fought on the bed, for once completely at peace.

It's finally over with, Atemu. I have made amends for the wrong I dealt you long before. Perhaps now I am worthy of your forgiveness. The Black Magician closed his eyes and turned back into the shadows, leaving his masters to themselves, feeling just the slightest bit lighter than before.

 

“Thank you… Mahado…” Yugi seemed to fall asleep against him, and Mahado quickened his steps entering the forbidden tomb.

 

“Let go, Mahado! Yug's in there! He's inside there!” Atemu yelled, the cry bitter to his tongue as the grip refused to slacken, his struggling only bringing him more pain as the taller man lifted him from the ground. “I order you to let! ME! GO!” Atemu growled, striking back with his head, catching Mahado in the side of the head.

Mahado bit out a curse, dropping him, and Atemu landing on his feet kicking off in a dead run.

 

As Jonoh and Mahado came to stand by his side, most likely to urge him to return, Atemu grew deadly still, his tears running silent, as that deep numbness set it, almost making Atemu miss the pain, because the pain was all he had left of Yugi to cling to.

“pr-aA,” it seemed they both knew Atemu didn't want them being informal with him. “It's getting dark…”

“I hate you.”

 

“Dark Magician. I was so scared!”

 

A slow smile graced the features of the shadow monster as he sighed in relief, returning to the world he'd chose to become apart of.

“It's over.”

 

The shrill beeping sound of the alarm broke up the wrestling match between the two on the bed. Both cerise and Amethyst eyes stared at the cloth that glared the hour of eight at them for a moment before twin grins spread over their faces.

“Good morning Yami”

“… Guess this means I don't have to drag you out of bed today.”

Yugi raised an eyebrow in challenge, and Yami smirked, grabbing the pillow.

 

~~~~~~~~

(Ending Theme: Night Flower)

 

I'm wandering lost in the land of love;

please come find me.

I hide my heart

that I thought I'd already wore the wings off of.

The thousands of petals

which color my heart

make me yearn for you, almost sadly

Once more

Mirage that slips through my fingers

the moment I grasp it...

I want to steal away all of you.

Brandishing a frozen knife,

love dances, scattering the night flowers

Break, injure, seal it away - even my heart...

Feel it more intensely

Soot covered fragments of love.

On the streets as the night rolls in,

I'm surrounded by

the wings of a smiling angel.

I want you so much,

I can't even breathe

Let it all go up in flames; it's all the same to me.

Words are melted love.

My lips scatter the night flowers.

Love, comfort, let go - even my heart...

Feel it more intensely

If it's destiny,

then I don't need peace or warmth.

Brandishing a frozen knife,

love dances, scattering the night flowers

Break, injure, seal it away - even my heart...

Love me more intensely

 

A.N. And there is the final chapter. Sorry if the sex scene wasn't what you all wanted, Yami and Yugi had their own way in the end. *Sigh* Anyway, there are two short extra stories I'll add after the epilogue so please treat them at separate pieces and review. ^-^ Thanks you for everyone of you who reviewed, it mean so much to me! ^-^ And to all who gave me shout outs, bribe, and cookies, THANK YOU!!!! *Hugs you all* Till next time.

 

Translation:

 

wi mr ntk: I love You.

 

Aishiteru…Ore no Pharaoh: I love you, my pharaoh.