More~

Losta fluffy limey cliche ^^ Try not to choke on the uber-fluff.

All characters (c) Kazuki Takahashi.


Yami's rooms.

Yami hummed to himself as he put the last finishing touches on the dishes in front of him. He carried them through to the dining room, which was set out with fancy cutlery, a candlestick burning in the middle, napkins folded precisely by the two places set, an ice bucket holding a bottle of wine off to the side. Yami smiled and tweaked the plates just as there was a knock at the door.

Yami nervously brushed his hands down his burgundy shirt and narrow black tie, making sure he looked neat, checking his reflection briefly in the mirror before opening the door to find his Aibou waiting. Melvin had also taken care with his appearance, his jewellery looking freshly polished; his dark purple silk shirt, open at the collar, and pinstriped trousers were sharp and tight on his frame.

Melvin smiled and bowed, flourishing the largest bouquet of flowers Yami had ever seen towards him. Yami accepted it with wide eyes, breathing in the sweet aroma deeply.

"They're beautiful," Yami said softly, looking up at Melvin with shining eyes.

Melvin shuffled, blushing. Yami took him by the hand and led him inside.

"This looks so good, Yami," Melvin smiled, looking at the table set out with obvious care and attention and the two exquisitely prepared meals waiting, steam rising off them invitingly.

Yami put his flowers in a vase of water and put them on the table, arranging them carefully. "Please, sit."

Melvin hesitated a moment before going around to Yami's side of the table and holding his chair out for him in rare show of gentlemanly affection. Yami beamed and sat down, Melvin pushing the chair in a little before sitting down himself.

Yami poured the wine as Melvin spread his napkin over his lap. "Any trouble getting the evening off?"

"None at all," Melvin replied happily, waiting for Yami's lead in tucking in. "When I said I wanted to spend the evening with my lover they all seemed to assume it would get bloody, and didn't want any more information."

Yami sighed contentedly and reached across to squeeze Melvin's hand. "I like being called your lover," he smiled.

Melvin squeezed back. "I like to say it; I like being yours, too." So saying, Melvin brought Yami's hand up to his lips and softly kissed the knuckles, making Yami's eyes sparkle. "Well, what magnificence have you cooked for us, Shariik?"

Yami picked up his wineglass. "Medium-rare beef with braised vegetables, cooked in oil and lightly fried, sautéed mushrooms with French potatoes and tout mange. I've also made a rhubarb and white chocolate cheesecake for dessert, with Baileys to follow if you feel like it."

Melvin also picked up his wineglass and swirled the thick, dark red liquid around, inspecting the colour. "Wonderful, simply wonderful. Where did you learn to cook as well as you do?"

"That's a secret," Yami smiled, clinking their glasses together and taking a sip. "Well, dig in. It'll only go cold."

Melvin also sipped before cutting carefully into the steak, trying not to scratch Yami's nice crockery in his enthusiasm.

They ate quietly, limned in the golden candlelight, the smells of the flowers and food mingling pleasantly. Melvin took great care to be careful and slow, using the cutlery instead of ripping into the food with his claws, earning him a glowing look and a leg stroke that just promised better things to come.

When the last mouthfuls had been savoured and swallowed, Melvin let out his breath contentedly. "Marvellous as always, my dear Pharaoh."

"Thank you," Yami said, accepting the compliment with grace and a smile. He got up to clear the dishes away.

As he turned to leave with them, Melvin caught his waist and gently pulled him down for a slow kiss, his other hand on Yami's chest over his heart. "That was delicious," he murmured against Yami's lips. "Thank you."

"My pleasure," Yami replied, blushing a little and kissing him back for a few heady moments, before taking the dishes away. Melvin leaned back in his chair and watched Yami walk with a sly smile, feasting his eyes.

"Are you watching me walk away, Melvin?" Yami tossed over his shoulder playfully.

"Damn straight I am," Melvin replied. "You're a delightful sight from this angle."

"Just this angle?" Yami said, pouting in mock-hurt as he cut the cheesecake into portions; Melvin could just see him through the kitchen door.

"From every angle, of course. I just like seeing your arse all sweet like that, especially in those tight trousers."

"Oh, you like my tight trousers, hmm?" Yami teased, setting the cheesecake down on the table and sitting again.

"Both on and off," Melvin chuckled, scooping some vanilla custard onto his spoon with the cheesecake.

Yami smiled and took a delicate bite of his cheesecake, licking the spoon carefully like a cat. Melvin couldn't help but melt a little as he watched.

"W-what?" Yami asked uncertainly when he noticed Melvin's interest.

"Nothing, my lovely one. I'm just falling in love with you all over again."

Yami leaned forward and put his hands over Melvin's on the tabletop. "That was incredibly cheesy," he said, though he smiled anyway.

"I know. And I meant every word."

Yami blinked rapidly and gave an aching smile. "Oh Melvin… come on, eat up. I remember our first cheesecake, don't you?" He said, releasing Melvin's hands and tucking in again.

"Indeed I do. It was your birthday."

They were both quiet for a moment as they remembered the present Melvin had got for Yami. Yami chuckled to himself and Melvin …

"Aibou, are you blushing?" Yami said in delight.

Melvin coughed and said nothing, eating his cheesecake diligently. It was difficult to see his blush through his Egyptian tan, but it was there all right, like a sunset over the dunes.

When they had finished their cheesecake they retired to the living room with their wine. Yami was careful not to drink too much; they both knew he had low tolerance to alcohol and fun as it was to have a drunken Yami staggering about, neither wanted to spoil the mood.

They sat down together and Melvin pulled a small, precisely wrapped package from his pocket at the same time as Yami brought a present out from under the table.

"Oh, you first," Melvin said, offering the present.

Yami carefully untied the red ribbon and golden paper to reveal a jewellery box. Inside was a chain bracelet, similar to those Yami so liked to wear, but this had a small gold heart embedded in its links. My One and Only, My Shariik was inscribed on it.

"Oh, Aibou…" Yami breathed, fingers trembling as he touched the heart. "It's … it's… " Yami couldn't continue due to the tears clogging his throat.

"Happy Anniversary, love," Melvin said gently, fastening it on Yami's proffered wrist. Yami stroked it with a trembling smile, then gave Melvin his present.

Melvin unwrapped his with just as much care as Yami had unwrapped his, to reveal a simple gold picture frame holding a picture of the two of them in Egypt, snoozing, arms around each other in a quiet corner of the set, waiting for their scenes.

"Aw, I remember that," Melvin said softly, stroking photo-Yami's hair with one finger. "And you looked so good in your Pharaoh outfit, too."

"Th-there's a message on the back," Yami mumbled, blushing from his neck up to his ears.

Melvin turned it over curiously.

Holding on to you forever and always, Love from Your Pharaoh.

Melvin struggled with words and settled for pulling Yami into a tight hug. Yami held him and stroked his back. "Looks like we had a bit of a mind-link, didn't we," Yami smiled. "Happy Anniversary."

Melvin smiled lopsidedly and cupped Yami's face. "I love you so much," they said, in perfect unison. Yami laughed delightedly and kissed Melvin sweetly, letting himself be pulled into his lover's lap. They held each other, lips touching and parting in the sweetest sacrament; arms tight and warm, blocking out everything but each other.

"Come here," Melvin murmured breathlessly, his hands slipping down to Yami's thighs.

"I've got a better idea," Yami whispered, getting up and leading Melvin into his bedroom. Melvin looked around in wide-eyed wonder. The room was lit by candles, their flickering flames giving everything a wondrous glow. The bed was made up with fine linen with rose petals scattered across it.

"Oh yes," Melvin breathed, squeezing Yami's hand. "This is much better."

Yami sat down on the bed, pulling Melvin with him. "I'll admit, I'm a hopeless romantic."

"I'm always happy to indulge you, you know that," Melvin said, scooping Yami up and kissing him oh so tenderly.

Time seemed to still as they kissed, clothes falling to the floor like cherry blossoms in the wind. Melvin gently pushed Yami onto his back on the linen, kissing his neck from just under the ear to his collarbone. "Ready?"

"Eternally," Yami breathed, spreading his legs and hooking his feet around Melvin's knees. Melvin kissed him deeply and pushed into him slowly, making Yami take in a breath sharply and his whole body to tighten around Melvin.

They went sweet and gentle, patience and love at their side. Melvin refrained from wounding Yami, pleasing his lover with his mouth and hands alone without the need for claws. Yami threaded his arms around Melvin, holding him as close as he possibly could, never wanting to let go. Love and desire built in a slow, heady intensity that bound them up and refused to let them go.

A drop of sweat ran down Yami's spine and he arched against Melvin's body, pulling him closer and gasping for breath.

"I love you, Pharaoh," Melvin breathed into Yami's ear, feeling himself come to breaking point and holding on, waiting for Yami.

"Aibou, my love…" Yami gasped, trembling and clinging to him as he lost all control. Melvin released his breath unsteadily and rested his head on Yami's shoulder, letting go, falling into him.

They trembled and held each other, gasping for breath in the soft glow of the candles. Melvin pulled the bed sheets around them, cocooning his fragile Yami in his arms. Yami wrapped his arms and legs around Melvin, twining their limbs in a tangle of skin and flesh.

"You're very cuddly in the afterglow, aren't you?" Melvin murmured drowsily, lips against Yami's hair.

"Well, you're a very beautiful man to have in my arms," Yami said smilingly, nuzzling at Melvin's neck.

Melvin looked down at Yami's face, fingers lightly stroking the back of his neck, his HotSpot. "No one's ever called me that before," he said. "I've been called many other things, sure, but never 'beautiful'."

Yami looked up and rested his palm on Melvin's cheek. "You are beautiful to me, Aibou."

They lay together there, dozing in loving embrace, feeling love surround them in its own golden glow.