Hello! This is my first fic, and I'm super excited (and nervous) to be posting it. Constructive criticism is always welcome!

-Mystie

"Yami, wake up."

Ordinarily, the former pharaoh would protest to being awakened so early. The sun seeped through the blinds and poured onto his face like warm water. Yami hated mornings.

But this was Yugi.

He instantly opened his crimson eyes, wincing as the sun on his face made his eyes sparkle like deep rubies. There at his bedside stood his Yugi, appearing bright-eyed and cheerful for a Monday morning. Then again, Yugi was always cheerful.

Yami couldn't help the smile that spread across his features.

"Aibou," he said as he sat up, "what's wrong?"

Yugi beamed him a pretty smile before climbing on Yami's bed, adjusting himself in his lap, and tucking his head under his yami's chin. The action was innocent enough, but Yami felt his heart race. Yugi was still in his pajamas—the soft blue ones with pale yellow stars sprayed about—and eight or so hours of sleep had left his spiky hair pointing untidily in all directions. He rubbed the last traces of sleep from his eyes lazily.

"It's snowing, Yami. S'no school today." He turned his amethyst eyes on Yami, and Yami released a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. Yugi was so beautiful wrapped in the soft glow of morning.

"Snowing?" he asked tentatively. It was mid-January, but it had yet to snow in Domino, even in December. The roads had iced over, there had been plenty of sleet, and school had been cancelled a few times before, but it had never actually snowed. Yugi giggled.

"Yes Yami. Snowing. Haven't you ever seen it?"

Yami searched his memories. Of course he'd never seen snow in Egypt; it had rarely even rained. When he and Yugi were one—when they shared one body—it had snowed plenty of times. Yet, then, Yugi was always in control then. Now that he and Yugi had been separated for six or so months since the Ceremonial Duel, Yami could experience it firsthand.

/Yami, you're drifting./

Yami slightly jumped. His and Yugi's mindlink was not as solid as it had formerly been since their separation. When they were physically close to one another, they could hear each other vividly and clearly, but when they were further apart, it was muffled and more difficult to understand.

/I'm sorry, Aibou. I do not think I have ever seen snow./

Yugi's eyes widened. A brilliant smile shone on his face. "Oh, Yami! It's beautiful! You have to see it!" He hopped off the bed, nearly tripping had it not been for Yami's reflexes. A faint blush spread on his cheeks as he regained his balance. Yami released him, getting to his feet himself.

"Easy, Aibou. The snow will be there all day. I think you should eat breakfast and get dressed before we go out, ne?"

Yugi agreed, telling Yami he would see him in the kitchen before bounding out the door and down the stairs. Yami smiled softly. Yugi had no idea of the effect he had on him. Yami had accepted that he had fallen for the boy many months ago. He had realized it before Yugi's final move during the Ceremonial Duel, watching the tears leak from his beautiful eyes and down his rounded face. He was head over heels in love with Yugi Motou.

The fear of Yugi not reciprocating kept him from ever revealing his feelings. Besides, Yami felt satisfied enough with the intimate moments they shared—the loving embraces, sift caresses, and forehead kisses. He didn't want to ruin what they had if Yugi didn't feel the same way. For now, he was content with being Yugi's closest friend and guardian.

/'ami, bre-fast./ The mindlink wasn't as strong since Yugi was all the way downstairs, but Yami understood well enough. He sent understanding through the link as he began getting dressed for the day.

Yugi's grandfather was in the kitchen before the stove when Yami finally entered. Yugi smiled happily at him. He was eating toast, a plate covered in bacon and eggs in front of him at the table. A matching plate was waiting for Yami beside him.

"Good morning, Yami," Solomon greeted happily, "sleep well?"

Yami nodded as he took his seat next to Yugi and began eating. He glanced through the window from his seat. Pure, white snow fell gracefully to the ground, which was already heavily blanketed. The sky was a dull blue-gray, but the sun peeked through the clouds.

"Don't think the snow's gonna let up." Solomon added, following Yami's gaze, "School should be out for at least a few more days."

"Do you need help with the shop, Grandpa?" Yugi asked thoughtfully.

"No, doubt anynone will be coming out in this weather, dear boy. Besides," he said, throwing a subtle wink at Yami, "I'm sure you boys will want to enjoy your day off."

"Yami, I think that's enough layers."

The former pharaoh ignored his charge, bringing a striped toboggan on his hikari's head gently. No aibou of his would be getting sick. He reached for a pair of earmuffs.

"Yaaaami," Yugi whined. Yami carefully adjusted the earmuffs on his Light's head, making sure his pink ears were covered.

/Mou Hitori no Boku?/ Yami ceased his movements. /If we don't hurry, the snow will be gone./

/Grandpa said the snow is here to stay, Hikari./

/But at the rate you're going, we won't get to play outside until springtime./ Yami laughed deeply, throwing his hands up in defeat.

"Okay, aibou, you win." He kissed Yugi's head, then pulled on his own coat and scard. They both descended the stairs, Yugi wobbling a bit due to all his layers. As they were just about to walk out the door, the phone rang.

"For the love of…" Yugi whined, retreating to the kitchen. "Hello?"

Yami followed his Light. "Oh, hey Joey, what's up?" A pause. "Oh cool, that sounds like fun! Yeah, okay, we'll meet you there. See you then." Yugi hung up the phone excitedly, turning to his yami.

"Tea's family has this cabin in the woods about an hour away from Domino. They invited us to go stay there for a few days!" he exclaimed. "Can you imagine it, Yami? A cabin in the snow with our friends?"

Yami smiled at Yugi's excitement. He was skittish about the snow, yes. But spending a few days away with his hikari? What was better than that?