Theme: 002- In dreary times; for 100_chances
Rating: PG
Genre: Serious/angst
Parings: Yami x Yugi
Warnings: AU
Spoilers: None
Summary: When tragedy strikes, sometimes all you need is someone to be there.
Note: This is sort of, but not entirely meant to be a sequel to Lilies. (check the "Relevent Fics" section of my profile page for the link.) You don't have to read that one to understand this one, but several small details in this one will make more sense if you do.

It was the second class in a row that Yami's chair sat empty. As the last few stragglers slunk in and the professor began his lecture, Yugi found himself staring at the vacant desk, almost as if by pure mental force he could magic Yami from wherever he was to appear there.

I don't understand. Yami never misses class! Where is he?

Perhaps he was panicking prematurely; Yami might just have a cold and not be able to make it to class. But the night before, when he'd called Yami to ask if he wanted Yugi to copy his notes from Monday for him, the call hadn't even gone through. He'd double and triple-checked the number, but every time he just got the same dull, disconnected beep.

Now, as he looked back at Yami's empty chair, he knew something wasn't right. Without even thinking, he shoved his books into his backpack and rose to his feet.

"Mutou-"

"I'm sorry professor…I…don't feel well," he interrupted hurriedly, sprinting for the door. He didn't stop as he left the college, in fact he only ran faster, ignoring the people he was pushing past.

Something's wrong. If he was just sick, he would have let me know.

Coming to a panting halt at the front of the florists', he pushed the door open and weaved his way through the maze to the front desk, where Karui, (the girl who, Yami told him, ran the store when he was away), looked up in shock.

Doubled over, Yugi tried to catch his breath. Karui hurried to his side. "Are you okay? Do you need any help?"

"I'm…I'm fine. I just…came to see Yami."

Her eyes flicked inadvertently towards the ceiling for a split second before she said, uncomfortably, "He's not here."

"What do you mean he's not here?!"

"He's out of town. A seminar for small business owners."

Yugi frowned. "He never said anything to me about going out of town this week!"

Karui was confused. "Why would Atemu-san tell you his plans?" Then her eyes widened. "Oh…you're Mutou-san?!"

"Yes." Yugi figured Yami must have told her about him.

Again, her eyes went to the ceiling before she said, "I…um…"

Yugi cut her off. "He's here, isn't he?"

She bit her lip, words tumbling out. "I'm so sorry…I don't think Atemu-san ever meant for me to have to lie to you…"

"Karui, what's going on?"

Looking guilty, she murmured, "It's…it's Atemu-san's sister. She was killed in a car wreck on Sunday."

Yugi felt his heart stall. His mind raced, and he found himself saying the only thing he could think of. "I…didn't even know he had a sister."

"She is…was…several years younger than Atemu-san, she still lived with their parents. His family told him there was no point in him traveling up right now, the wake won't be until next week. He called me Monday morning and asked me to come take over for a few days, he told me to tell everyone that he was going out of town, and not to tell anybody what happened. He hasn't come out of his apartment since."

"Poor Yami…" Yugi swallowed. "How terrible."

"I really don't think he ever meant to lie to you. He's just so shaken up right now, he probably didn't realize..."

"I know, it's okay." He struggled to focus. "Could I…go up and see him?"

"You can try. He won't answer the door for me. But if you could get him to talk to you, it might really help…"

Yugi was about to head for the stairs when he paused. "Wait, could I check the computer for something first?"

"Um, sure." She stood back, puzzled.

Ten minutes later, Yugi knocked softly on the door to Yami's apartment. When he received no answer, he tried again and this time called out, "Yami…it's me. Yugi."

Behind the door he heard hesitant footsteps, and then the click of the lock. The door cracked open.

"Yugi…?"

"Yeah…can I come in?"

Without answering, Yami stepped back and held the door open. Yugi stepped inside, not saying a word. Yami turned, keeping his eyes averted from Yugi's gaze as he motioned at the couch, murmuring, "Would you…like to sit down?"

"Sure, thank you." Yugi sat, Yami sitting beside him. Yugi didn't know how to start, so he was glad when Yami spoke up, his voice hoarse.

"I suppose…you know what happened."

"Karui told me."

"I'm sorry…I should have told you myself."

"No, you've had a lot on your mind. It's okay."

Yami glanced over at him. "You brought me my own flowers again, I see."

"Oh…well, yes…" Yugi held out the bouquet. A weak hint of a smile crossed Yami's lips as he took the flowers and held them in his lap.

"Interesting choice…jonquils," he said softly.

"Huh?"

"It usually…means you wish for someone to return your affection. But you know I already do."

"Oh…I read online that it can mean 'sympathy.'" Yugi blushed, and hurried ahead. "Um…but I also included yarrow, which means 'cure for heartache,' and poppies, which mean 'consolation.' And the rest are just flowers I know you like."

Yami's lower lip suddenly trembled and he quickly raised his hand to wipe his eyes, standing up. "Yugi…thank you. I should…put these in water."

Yugi watched as he got out a vase and filled it with water at the kitchen sink. He bit his lip. He was doing nothing to console him like this! "Yami…I'm so sorry about your sister." He finally said quietly. "I don't know what else to say. If there's…anything I can do, anything at all, just tell me."

Yami shook his head, arranging the flowers and setting them in the middle of the countertop. "You don't need to do anything."

"I know that, but I want to do something. Anything you need, tell me. Someone to talk to, the notes from school, a hug…anything."

Yami slowly sat back down on the couch beside him, his bright irises trained on the vase of flowers. "I'm not…I don't think I feel like talking about it yet."

"I understand, that's okay."

"And the notes…will be helpful down the line, I appreciate it. But not right now."

"Of course, I'll copy them and keep them safe till you want them."

"But…" He paused, then looked up at last, his eyes full of tears. "I think…a hug…"

Yugi looked back gently, feeling a lump in his throat, then he scooted closer and wrapped his arms around him. "All yours."

Shaking, Yami burrowed against Yugi's chest, clinging to the front of his shirt. "Y…Yugi..."

Yugi rubbed his back gently. "It's okay."

"It's not fair. She was so young. I don't understand why…"

Yugi said nothing, holding him quietly. Yami didn't relinquish his hold on him till over an hour later, when, out of tears, he simply buried his damp face in the crook of Yugi's neck and whispered, his voice sounding alive for the first time during the visit, "Thanks for coming here."

Smiling softly, Yugi kissed his forehead. "Do you want me to leave now?"

"No…stay. Please stay. Is that okay?"

He hugged him tightly. "It's perfectly okay."

Notes: Iunno...the idea of Yugi trying to cheer Yami up with flowers just made me happy. x3