Hello~ This is the first chapter in a (long?) series I hope to write. It's just a bunch of unrelated oneshots. There's no particular theme, just ideas that came to mind of snapshots of Yugi's life with Yami.
Title: Laugh
Rating: G
Warnings: None, Awkward Yami?
After a tedious day of class and a tiring evening of homework, Yuugi sighed in relief at the warmth of the bath water. He stepped in the porcelain tub, letting out a long, content sigh as he sank in the bubbly heat. The young man sat back and closed his eyes, soaking in the steam and relaxation the bath provided. School had been particularly difficult, with the end of the semester fast approaching and all of the work Yuugi had missed while traveling for tournaments. His other self tried to encourage him, reassuring with his usual steady confidence that his partner would catch on the pile of homework his friends had gathered while he was gone, but Yuugi wasn't convinced. Final exams were in a week and he was already exhausted. Pushing aside thoughts of school for the moment, Yuugi smiled a bit and sank deeper in the warm water, poking a few bubbles and chuckling gently.
The young Duel Monsters champion also felt bad for having to neglect his other self, the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle that sat on the nearby toilet seat. The older boy had been anticipating a time to re-structure their deck together before the next tournament, but Yuugi had lacked a free moment in the last week to do so. The younger boy pouted and reached over the tub's edge to touch the ancient puzzle, looking at it guiltily. Yuugi hadn't spoken to his friend in several hours, after the latter insisted that his partner should finish his homework while he started thinking about new cards to add to their card deck. "I'm sorry, mou hitori no boku... I really should make time for you. Now I feel terrible-" The Puzzle glowed moments before Yuugi's other self appeared in his semi transparent state beside the tub, his hands full with equally translucent cards that represented their deck.
The spirit looked up, his sharp maroon eyes still clouded with focus on the cards in his hands. "Aibou, you're done with your homework? I was going to ask you what you thought of this card..." His other self blinked after a moment and took in the bathroom around them before staring at him in confusion, leaving Yuugi to gape back at him in surprise. They both gazed silently, neither moving. Then, sinking low in the water, Yuugi let out a small embarrassed squeak, his cheeks red as he tried to cover his naked body with the bubbles. His friend disappeared from sight as quickly as he had materialized, but the young man in the tub could have sworn that he'd seen his other self blush even in his ghost-like state.
Yuugi quickly washed up, draining the bathwater before stepping out the bathtub and drying off. Moments later, he was in his bedroom dressed in his favorite pajamas. He sat on the bed and took the Millennium Puzzle by its chain, slipping the artifact around his neck. The young man was still blushing; embarrassed at the awkward moment he had just shared with his other self. Mou hitori no boku must feel bad. He was so focused on what he was doing... He's never appeared to me while I was doing something in the bathroom... Yuugi thought and sighed, closing his eyes. Subconsciously, he laid down on his bed, his hands cradling the Puzzle. When he reopened them, Yuugi knew he was in his soul room inside the Millennium Puzzle. He got up from his bed and walked around the toys scattered on the room's floor, making his way to the door leading to the hallway between the two chambers of his soul. Clearing his throat, Yuugi knocked gently. He knew that the spirit would hear no matter how softly he tapped on the door, being that the older boy always paid close attention for signs of his partner needing help.
"Mou hitori no boku..." Shyly, Yuugi smiled up at his friend when the latter opened the door. His other self smiling back at him, though Yuugi noted the slight awkwardness of his usually proud stance. The spirit of the puzzle stepped out into the hallway, closing his room's door and leaving behind the darkness of the twisted, mysterious maze inside his soul room. "Aibou, I'm sorry for intruding..." The spirit started, his spiky haired head bowing intuitively in guilt. His shorter partner shook his own head, smiling and patting the spirit on the shoulder. "It's okay, mou hitori no boku. You just wanted to talk. I guess I should have left the puzzle in my room like I usually do when I bathe... I mean, it's not like I haven't dressed with you around before..." Both young men gazed silently at each other for a moment, Yuugi's face tinged pink. His other self stared quietly back, before a small smile spread across his lips. Seeing the other smile, Yuugi sighed in relief and both of them simultaneously laughed. The unease of the previous moment was forgotten and Yuugi grinned up brightly at his other self as the latter smiled back, again at ease. "Aibou, you've finished your homework?" The spirit repeated his question from earlier. "Yes, mou hitori no boku. Let's talk about our deck now." Yuugi's other self grinned with his typical confidence.