Ficcy !

Title : Another Failed Hello
Fandom : Ygo
Pairing : Rivalshipping, or Seto Kaiba x Yugi Mutou
Rating : Pg
Warnings : Mentions of abuse, hint at drugs and alcohol.

This is all Jessies fault ! She got me into Scarling..and this is what happened. Blame Jessica.

They think it's a quirk, that he won't take his headphones off. They allow it, because it adds personality, and individuality to the pictures. Besides, its not like they can really deny him any demands... and they're lucky in the sense that Yugi is the one hotshot duelist that doesn't come with a mile long list of demands every time there is a photo shoot at one of these conventions.

At least, that's what they say.

Yugi doesn't listen.. can't really hear them over the music he's got playing. That is why he's got the headphones after all. They're a distraction, something to help him lose concentration, and safer than any of the pills or herbal supplements people keep shoving at him.

He can feel that all too familiar stare at his back again, and it makes him sigh as he turns the music up, head bobbing lightly to the beat of the song playing. The flashes of the cameras barely register, and he thinks someone is saying how he's got the intense look just right finally.. so long as they're glad then..

It's torture when they stand him across from Kaiba, telling them to pose, to show some of that "spark". He can't even lift his head.. every time he does, all he sees is the back of a fist raised, about to strike him... how is he supposed to show "spark"? He feels bad that the shots will be ruined.. but what can he do ? They wind up taking "another direction" and Yugi is just grateful when they tell him they don't need him again until later. What's left of his afternoon is spent at a very convenient lounge at the same hotel. It has a bar.. it has loud music .. and that's all he needs for now.

The fist clenched tight around his heart relaxes again, slowly, allowing him to get back to breathing without pain. It gets easier when he gets sucked into the love of his fans, who crowd around him at his little table and ask for autographs, tips on dueling, and shower with him with more questions than he can keep up with. Yugi sometimes thinks.. he loves these strangers, like they claim to love him. They have become his reason to keep smiling. They are what reminds him to get out of bed, and keep moving. Yes. He loves them. Mostly, because he wants to enjoy life and with them as an excuse to keep going, he can at least take a stab it.

Life takes a stab back though, as one of them finally asks what happened to the relationship with Kaiba. It catches him a little off guard, and he has to wonder what sort of look must have flashed across his face, to make the other girls in the tiny crowd his and glare at the one to ask. Almost immediately, cheerful shouts of encouragement start up, and they're calling out to him, telling him it's nothing.. there'll be someone else ... "We love you Yugi-kun!" And.. well it's atleast a little funny, so smiles and nods, thanking them all for their affection, quietly adding that he and Kaiba-kun parted amicably.. " We felt it was the right thing to do..." This has been the official statement from them both over the past few weeks. It works, because no one would think to question Seto Kaiba's word, and no would would ever think Yugi to lie .. and out of all the things made public.. no one knows about the bruises cleverly hidden with make-up.

They're mostly faded away now.. but Yugi feels them freshly when his rival ..once lover.. steps into the room, and looks at him. Their eyes meet only for a moment, before they're both turning away, looking elsewhere. A hush falls over the whole place, and the question hangs in the air.. If they parted so amicably.. how come hello comes so awkward ?