Hello, John here thanks for reading my fanfic! Its my first one and constructive criticism would be appreciated! Have fun reading!

It was a hot Saturday afternoon for Yugi and Yami. The two had gone to the mall earlier that day to set up for Ryou's birthday and Marik had been very specific with the details. Yugi thought it was sweet that Marik cared so much about Ryou and that he was happy. Yami on the other hand was annoyed that his day of planned relaxing and tanning in their large backyard was forfeit to help his hikari and his friends set up for Ryou's birthday.

"This is looking great you guys!" yelled Marik enthusiastically after bursting through the decks double doors.

"I really hope he loves all the planning and effort that went into this" answered Yugi still hanging up the last of the colorful streamers.

"Now be careful Yugi, I don't want to ruin Ryou's party by taking you to the hospital" called Yami, watching the boy very carefully as he scaled the deck railing. Yami saw it as if it happened in slow motion. Yami saw his hiakri start to lose his balance.

"Oh shiiii-"screamed Yugi, but was cut off by the swift catch of his darker half. "y- you saved me" stammered Yugi.

"I will always be here to catch you if you fall" responded the pharaoh. The two looked deep into each other's amethyst eyes before Marik broke in

"Starting the party early are we?!" this caused both of the boys to blush and Yami quickly set Yugi on the ground.

"Never!" shouted Yami, now looking for a way out of this awkward situation.

"Don't be embarrassed you two are dating and you're so cute together!" Marik giggled. "We still need the table set up and the tent that goes over it all."

"It's all in the garage" said Yugi "me and Yami will go and get it" Marik looked at the both of them and gave a sly smile

"don't get to distracted when you are getting them! The party starts in an hour." Yugi blushed a deep crimson before the pharaoh grabbed his shoulder and replied coyly "we'll see what we can do, but no promises!"

Yami held one end of the table and Yugi held the other. His hikari had begged to help Yami carry the table even though he could have carried it on his own. "Now lean it to the left… and… got it!" The two of them had to bring the tables out of the back door of the garage which always seemed smaller when carrying large objects. "Watch your fingers Yami the door is pretty small." Said Yugi after getting his end through the door way. They got the table through the door without any problems and they began to set it up. "I'm so happy that Marik put in all of this effort just for Ryou's birthday" yelled Yugi from across the table "he really had all of this planned out"

"To the dime" whispered Yami under his breath.

"I heard that!" Yugi giggled and taunted back "What's the matter pharaoh not used to manual labor?"

"It's not that Yugi. I'm glad Marik planned this too. I just wish he would help with all of the work that goes with that." said Yami looking at his hikari after setting up the last legs of the table. Yugi was about to respond when his darker half suddenly took his sweat soaked shirt off. Yugi couldn't help but blush as he looked over his boyfriend's toned chest and tanned skin. He realized that Yami was staring right back at him.

"Like what you see?" said the older of two teasingly.

"Maybe, and if I do?" asked Yugi blushing at the thought of tackling his shirtless love.

"Well you better come and get it!' responded Yami almost laughing.

Yugi sprinted as fast as he could around the table towards his darker half making sure to slow down just before Yami swept him off his feet is a loving embrace. "I love you Yami!"

"I love you too hikari" the two of them just held each other for a few moments before Marik came back with the cake and yelled across the yard

"do you always do this or just wait till I'm watching?" Yami had a flash of anger. Marik always ruined these moments! That feeling dissipated as he looked at his love's shaking head.

"You just like showing up at the worst times, that's not our fault!" retorted Yugi. "We'll need to get the tent up before the guests start arriving."

Marik nodded and asked if they needed any help, but the both of them were too busy racing to the garage to pay him much attention. After several minutes of tying, hoisting, setting up and general hard work the tent was set up over the circular table.

"Looks good" said Marik after putting the cake on the table "though it took longer than expected"

"There were some delays" giggled Yugi and smiled at his Yami. Suddenly the doorbell rang.

"Race me?" asked Yugi enthusiastically to Yami

"Sure" replied the older with a grin.

"Ready, set, g-" but Yami had already begun his mad sprint to the decks double doors. "That's not fair!" shouted Yugi who was right on his heels.

"All is fair in love and war!" yelled back Yami. The boys reached the front door at the same time. Yami may have been more muscled, but Yugi was a faster runner.

"Call it a tie?" asked Yami breathing heavily

"sure" breathed Yugi. They opened the door to see some of their oldest friends; Joey, Mai, Tristan, Serenity, and Tea. Even Seto and Duke were there!

"Uh… Yami… you're not wearing a shirt" Said Joey awkwardly. Yugi had entirely forgot and now found his eyes glued to Yami's sweaty chest again.

"I can see why" muttered Duke and everyone laughed making Yugi blush.

Marik came running up behind and screamed "Everyone inside, Ryou's on his way!"

Everyone rushed into the house and out into the backyard. Yami quickly got on a new shirt and joined them. A second table had been set up for the attendees to put their gifts on and it was filled quickly. Seto had even brought a present.

"Who was bringing Ryou again, Marik?' asked Tristan. "They seem a bit late."

Marik frowned and replied "Bakura and Malik are bringing him, and yes they are a bit late." Before anyone could respond the trio arrived. However, instead of the thin white blindfold Marik had told them to put on Ryou he had been handcuffed and blindfolded with what looked to be a thick rag of some sort.

Marik quickly rushed over to his love and asked. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Marik made sure Ryou was fine.

"He'll be fine. Stop smothering him" Responded Malik.

"I swear if one hair on his adorable head is hurt I will kill you!" shouted Marik angrily

"Calm down Marik he's fine I made sure Malik wasn't too rough on him" replied Bakura being the more sensible of the two.

"Thanks Bakura now who's got the key?"

"It's in Ryou's back pocket" said Bakura

"Thanks again Bakura"

"How did you get it out of my pocket?!" yelled Malik.

"Why did you think I asked you to change before we left?"

"To cha-? You sneaky bastard!" The group giggled as the two had their little fight. Ryou's hands were freed, and then Marik whispered in his ear "happy birthday sweetheart" and removed the blindfold.