Always – a YuGiOh AU fanfic

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-OH!

Summary: Solomon Muto practically raised his grandsons, Atem and Yugi, after his daughter-in-law was committed to an asylum due to schizophrenia. The boys were always there for each other – and even with an age difference of two years they hated being apart and did almost everything together. Then everything changed. Someone crashed a school party and began shooting at random. Yugi would have been hit – had it not been for Atem who covered him and took the bullets. Atem died in the hospital, begging the doctors to let him say goodbye to his brother… but he never made it.

This entire story is dedicated to Jehbel. Thank you for your support, advice and overall - thank you for making my day more than once.

Part One: Waiting Room

Yugi's POV

I was so grateful for Joey being with me in the waiting room. I had Grandpa, but he was struggling to keep his cool and get all the info on my older brother's condition. I honestly felt alone and I was crying. Tears fell into my tea, making it salty and undrinkable. But it kept my hands warm.

"It's gonna be OK, Yug." Joey sounded less convinced than he meant to, but I appreciated his effort. He was shaken up too. After all, Atem was not the only one hit by the maniac's bullets in the gym at the party. Joey had just been lucky enough to get only a small flesh wound and have his favourite T-shirt torn. Our friends, Tea and Tristan, had left the party early. They were in charge of our private Duel Monsters after-the-party pyjamas party.

"Listen, Yug. He'll pull through. You know Atem just as well as I do! He ain't ever gonna let nobody come between you. You're his aibou, remember? His little bro! Ain't no way he'll die on you!"

I wanted it to be true. I needed it to be true. Atem was two years older than me. Somehow; we could always sense each other. Grandpa once told me that Atem had been born a twin but that his brother, Yami, had been stillborn. Grandpa figured that this was the reason why Atem was always so protective of me. He didn't want to lose another brother.

I remember overhearing an argument between Atem and Grandpa last year. Atem was suspended from school after he subjected one of my classmates to a penalty game. The boy was hospitalised and his parents held the school accountable. Grandpa was furious. Atem kept his cool. I remember him, cold as ice, arms crossed, as he said: "He kicked Yugi, Grandpa. He broke two of my brother's ribs. I only did what was necessary." He was punished, but secretly; Grandpa was proud of him.

I didn't like the look on the doctor's face as she let one of her hands rest on Grandpa's shoulder. My stomach began to tighten as Grandpa buried his face in his hands. I dropped the plastic cup of now lukewarm liquid as I was given the message. "I'm sorry, Yugi. They did everything they could. Atem is dead. I'm so sorry!" And with those words, my world fell apart. I felt numb. Tears streamed silently down my cheeks and I began to shake. Joey had to hold me to prevent me from falling to the floor like a sack of potatoes.

Atem was gone.

Why?