Chapter 1: Childhood Friends

July 2003

A figure got out of a taxi and walked toward the Game Shop. He had spiky tri-colored hair and wore a black outfit, despite the heat.

Yugi looked up as the door opened and the bell tinkled. His mouth opened in shock. "Yami?" He asked, stunned.

Yami grinned cockily. "I'm home, Yugi."

Yugi hurried around the counter and hugged Yami. "I'm so glad to see you."

"Me too." Yami stepped back, realizing that the reunion brought to the surface feelings he tried to hide. "You doing okay?"

"Just fine. Grandpa is doing well, too, despite getting older. Which he denies. I swear he claims to be younger and younger every year." Yugi smiled.

Yami laughed. "That man will live to be a hundred." He nodded.

"I wouldn't be surprised." Yugi agreed. He noticed the differences in Yami since they last saw each other three years ago. Yami was taller, thinner, and his upper arms were more muscular. He blushed, realizing his thoughts had strayed from the conversation.

"What are you thinking about?" Yami asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Tea." Yugi lied, hoping that his voice wouldn't betray him.

"As in Gardner? How is she?" Yami asked, even though his question was an automatic response. They had had a short summer fling when he was in Japan three years ago and it ended because of the distance. Or that was what they told their friends and family. Only Yami and Tea knew the truth.

Yugi shrugged. "She's doing well. She wants to be a dancer after she graduates."

"I knew someone was talking about me." A female voice piped up from the door. "Hello, Yami."

Yami turned and his mouth dropped open. In the last three years, Tea had gotten even more beautiful, if that were possible. Her hair was shorter and her figure seemed to fill the school uniform more. "You look great." He smiled.

Tea blushed. "Thank you. You were always a charmer." She smiled.

"Yami's back?" A new voice piped up from behind Tea. She stepped aside so the blond teen could step into view. "Hey, bro." He grinned.

Yami went over and gave the teen a hug. "Hey, Joey. How are you?"

"Not bad. You?" Joey asked.

"I'm fine. Glad to see you again." Yami nodded.

"What has it been, four years?" Joey asked.

"Three, but seems a lot longer." Yami grinned.

"You're welcome to stay." Yugi offered to Joey. "You know where the TV and the snacks are."

"Thanks,, Yuge." Joey headed for the living room, making Yugi and Yami laugh.

"Do you need help?" Tea offered, gesturing to the boxes casually placed around the shop.

"Sure, that would be great. Yami, why don't you help her?" Yugi suggested.

"That's Yugi, always putting me on the spot." Yami sighed.

Tea giggled. "Yeah, remember our first date?" She asked, remembering the eventful day.

Yugi had told both of them that he had set them up on a blind date. Yugi and Joey blindfolded them and left them in the Mutou living room. "Do you think I can remove my blindfold?" He asked, unsure where the girl was.

"Yami?" Tea removed her blindfold in surprise. She gasped. "I'm going to kill your brother."

Yami removed his own blindfold and rolled his eyes. "Not if I get to him first. He's been suggesting that I ask you out for weeks."

"Is that a bad thing?" Tea asked, shyly.

"I guess not. You are very pretty. Any male can see that." Yami shrugged.

Tea blushed. "Thank you." She murmured.

The unusual start led to a two month fling that led to Yami's final secret. "What's wrong, Yami?" She asked, noticing he seemed despondent. Tea tilted her head to examine his face.

Yami hesitated. "I haven"t been completely honest with you. I am not who you think I am.""

"What is it?" Tea asked, worry pressing in on her chest tightly.

"No matter how hard I try, I can't find myself attracted to you. Not in that way. You are beautiful, but apparently not my type."

"You're gay?" Tea was shocked. Yami didn't seem the type. He was strong, confident, and definitely the alpha male type. She couldn't wrap her head around the idea of Yami being a homosexual.

"I am im in love with someone we both know. Ever since he was twelve." Yami explained.

"Joey? No, you said he was twelve, not we were twelve." Tea's eyes widened as she came to a conclusion. "You have always been close to Yugi. Is it him?"

Yami nodded, seeming nervous. "He doesn't know. He might not feel the same way."

"You can only try. Give it a shot and you might be surprised. And keeping this secret is making you miserable."

"You're right." Yami nodded, relieved. "Thanks for understanding."

"You're welcome. I always knew you were special. I just didn't know what it was."

"I am sorry we didn't work out." Yami apologized sincerely.

"It's okay. I understand now why it didn't." Tea smiled. "Go get him, tiger."

Yami shook his head firmly, dissipating the memory. He went over to help Tea, and they worked silently. Finally, Tea asked, "Have you told Yugi?"

"Tell him what?" Yami feigned innocence as he continued to work.

"You know what I mean. The thing we talked about last time you were in town?" Tea raised an eyebrow.

"No, I haven't." Yami sighed.

"What are you guys whispering about." Yugi appeared behind Yami.

"Yami has something he has been wanting to tell you." Tea spoke up, leaving Yami speechless. Yami sent her a poisonous look, clearly saying silently, Butt out, it should be when I decide to tell him. "Pulease, you were never going to get the nerve if I hadn't intervened. It isn't like the confident Yami I missed."

"Will someone explain what you are talking about?" Yugi looked annoyed..

"Come upstairs. I need to talk to you." Yami sighed and got up, leaving the shop. "Thanks, Tea." He muttered, loud enough for her to hear.

"No problem. Any time." Tea smiled catlike, unrepentant.

Yugi followed Yami upstairs and they sat on their own beds. "Will you tell me already?" He asked, impatiently.

Yami took a deep breath. "Yugi, I'm gay. I have feelings for you, strong ones. I don't know if you feel the same way, but..." Yami trailed off, dreading the answer.