It was still a few months after Christmas before they got a somewhat concrete date for Yugi's return. Roland reported that Yugi would be back around summer time. Apparently, Yugi not only had a final exam in Egypt but he also had a number of loose ends he needed to tie up, whatever that was. The moment Roland was able to find Yugi and actually see him, the bodyguard-slash-assistant didn't leave Yugi's side. Because of it, the gang was able to at least talk to Yugi via a phone call. Yami was about to burst at the sound of Yugi's voice but he was able to control himself, thankfully, so as not to humiliate himself and get that malicious sneer from Bakura and Ryou.

In the phone call, Yugi told them that his last stop was England and he was going to Domino with Marik and Malik in tow. They were coming along to Domino since Ishizu and Rishid decided to have Yami's exhibit be in Domino permanently since it made sense for it to be near the pharaoh. Yugi said they'd be back around the summer time, hopefully before his birthday since he wanted to spend it with his family and friends.

The gang was currently relaxing and enjoying the summer weather at Kaiba's mansion. They were all at the garden enjoying the sun. Tea was on her laptop with Ryou at her side trying to look at dance schools and enroll to them again. Ryou was helping her by checking at which school was better and had a good environment. Seto was on his laptop, working as usual. Yami was playing chess against Mokuba with Bakura coaching the younger, while Joey and Tristan were playing frisbee.

"Mr. Kaiba."

Everyone turned to the familiar voice of Roland.

Seto narrowed his eyes in confusion. "Didn't I tell you to call me when you landed in Domino, Roland?" He closed his laptop and got his phone out to check if Roland left any messages. There was none.

"Sorry, Kaiba, I wanted to see my grandpa first," a voice said.

Behind Roland was someone they almost didn't recognize at first glance. But then the voice was a dead giveaway.

Yugi stood there, who looked to almost be at the same height as Tea or even as tall as Yami. He was wearing black jeans, brown shoes, a tan leather jacket and a white v-neck shirt underneath. His eyes were covered by bronze aviators. He slowly removed them and flashed his friends that signature soft smile. His cherubic face had already sharpened somewhat. He now had a lean body and he still wore the leather choker around his neck and cuffs on his wrists. His eyes still shone like sparkling amethysts as he looked at the friends he hasn't seen in a long time. "Hey, everyone!" he greeted.

It took everyone a few seconds before it settled with them that Yugi was in front of them. It was Tea who first ran to Yugi and hugged him fierce.

"Yugi! It's really you!" she exclaimed as she squeezed the man in his arms tight. She was surprised that he was now a few inches taller than her.

"Hey, Tea," Yugi hugged the female back and he looked over and saw his dark for a moment before he was engulfed into a group hug by Ryou, Joey, and Tristan. "Guys, can't breathe," he gasped jokingly.

When he was released, Bakura, Seto, and Yami eventually walked over to where they were. Everyone stood aside so the trio could get a look at him. When the Yami found an opening, he flung himself at his light and buried his face in Yugi's hair. There was something about his scent that was different but addicting, but he won't admit that to anyone. "You're back," he whispered. He felt Yugi hug him back just as tight.

"I know. I'm sorry. I could've come back sooner" Yugi's voice was soft so only Yami could hear.

Yami shook his head and inhaled the familiar scent that was his aibou. He had a smokey mint, strawberries, and a hint of vanilla scent and Yami did his best to drown in it. "Don't care," he chuckled in Yugi's ear. With Yugi in his arms, he felt at peace, like knowing he wasn't being rejected by the light. He really didn't want to let go of Yugi right now.

It was only when someone cleared their throat that Yami pulled away.

Behind Yugi were two platinum blond look-alikes.

"Oh. Hey, guys," Ryou waved.

Marik scoffed. "You know, Yugi, if you had let us come in first, our welcome would've been warmer."

"We see you guys every few months," Bakura explained. "We haven't seen the runt in three years."

Yugi, raising an eyebrow, walked right next to Bakura and made sure to be close enough so they were almost touching shoulders. He put his hand on top of Bakura's head. Yugi then proceeded to sway his hand between him and Bakura's heads to emphasize that he had had a growth spurt, making him just as tall as Bakura, if you counted his gravity defying hair.

The white-haired yami narrowed his eyes at Yugi's proud and victorious smirk then snorted. "Whatever," he grumbled. "And by the way," he pointed at the hikari, "Hair doesn't count, runt." He smirked and poked lightly at Yugi's forehead.

Everyone giggled at the sight. When the laughter died down, they all went back inside the mansion since everyone from Domino wanted to know about Yugi's travels.

It was Pegasus who gave the offer for Yugi to continue his study and travel around the world longer. The Duel Monsters creator wanted Yugi's fame as a means for him to get contacts and investors around the world. Since Duel Monsters is not big yet on some countries, he needed the King of Games himself as his spokesperson for different investors. Yugi went to a different country almost every month to immerse himself with the culture, study the language, and model himself into the person the investors would agree with. And with Yugi's natural light and friendly aura, he was able to win the businessmen easily. It also helped that he could gamble to get them to agree. This piece of information surprised Kaiba so much that he took out his laptop to contact his lawyers and officers to make a deal with Pegasus to get Yugi for himself instead. Pegasus had initially wanted Yami to go but since Yugi was the one named as the big KOG and he did beat the pharaoh in the ceremonial duel, he chose Yugi instead.

"Pegasus also said that since Yami still needed to adjust to the modern world, forcing him to adapt to different cultures might overwhelm him." Yugi explained. "Although, Yami would've been perfect for the job though. I mean, he was a pharaoh. So making negotiations was part of the job, right Yami?"

The former pharaoh chuckled. "But I don't think I'm as charismatic as I once was. People find me intimidating rather than like you who is charming one, aibou."

Yugi blushed furiously at the statement while Marik and Malik laughed out loud.

"Oh you have no idea, pharaoh," Marik exclaimed.

During the three years he was abroad, Yugi had learned, not only different languages, but different skills as well. One in particular, had Marik and Malik teasing him to no end.

"He can pick up anyone easily. He basically leaves dozens of broken hearts anywhere he goes," Marik teased as he wrapped an arm around Yugi's shoulders. "We once went to America, and since Malik here is well-known, thanks to Battle City, people who had fallen for Yugi kept asking Malik for Yugi's number. It was hilarious." He let go of Yugi and bumped shoulders with his hikari. "Tell him about the set of twins we met outside the museum in New York."

At that, Malik's eyes brightened with amusement. "Oh gosh! Yes! That was the best!" He couldn't hold his laughter that he eventually guffawed alongside his Yami, leaving the other inhabitants of the room bewildered as to why they were laughing so hard. They eventually looked at Yugi who was blushing furiously and buried his face in his hands in embarrassment. At the sound of Yugi's groan, Malik mellowed down into chuckles. "Oh come on, Yugi. You shouldn't be ashamed. It was amazing that you could do that."

"Just tell the damn story already!" Joey exclaimed in frustration.

After a few more chuckles, Malik was all laughed-out. "Okay, I'll tell you." He took in a big breath before speaking again. "So, I was outside with Marik so he could take a smoke. Then a pair of fraternal twins come up to me asking me if I was Malik Ishtar. When I told them I was, the girl twin suddenly asked if I was close to Yugi. When I told her I was, she suddenly grabbed my arm and asked me if I knew where he was or if I knew his email or phone number. Her twin brother, on the other hand, tried to calm her down since she was borderline hysterical. She was demanding that I pull Yugi out of my ass."

"I think her exact words were 'Where are you hiding my Yugi?'" Marik interrupted with a smirk.

"Anyways," Malik rolled his eyes. "The twin brother eventually got his sister to calm down and she left to go to the car or something, I can't remember. He apologized and explained that his sister had been obsessed with Yugi ever since they went drinking that one night. When I thought that the whole weird episode was over, the twin brother suddenly handed me his number telling us to call him and only him if we saw Yugi again. And that he's still waiting for him. I asked what he was talking about-"

Marik suddenly laughed, interrupting Malik again. "Sorry," he gasped. "I can't forget the look on that guy's face. Apparently, he made out with Yugi during that night they were having drinks and he thought that he was Yugi's soulmate. When Malik asked what he was talking about, he told us that he wanted Yugi to know that he hasn't stopped thinking about him and that he was willing to wait until he came back so they could pick up where they left off."

Yugi groaned and buried his face in Yami's shoulder. "In my defense," he started, his face still red with embarrassment. "There were six of us that night at the bar. My friends from uni invited me out for drinks with their friends. We were playing spin the bottle and I was dared to make out with that guy. For some reason he thinks we're meant to be or something. As for his twin sister, I saved her from a guy who was humping at her at the dancefloor. We danced for a bit so guys would back off. I did it as a friend, nothing more."

"Well, every country we go to that you've already been, we encounter people asking about you. It doesn't matter if it was a guy or a girl. They all fell victim to your charm," Malik teased with a smirk.

"Wow, who knew Yugi would be the heartbreaker of the group?" Tristan said teasingly. "So, Yugi, did you use that charm of yours to get flings?"

Before Yugi could answer, Marik and Malik both yelled, "Hell yes!"

"Okay!" Yugi let out his hands defensively. "Before these two overly exaggerate the truth, I had a few flings. They didn't last very long. It usually ends before I leave a certain country and I usually have them when I get to stay more than three months in a certain country."

"So how many flings did you have, Yug?" Joey asked with a teasing smirk on his face.

"Two guys and a girl," Yugi answered carefully. Everyone knew he was bisexual, but he was more concerned of their reaction over the number of flings he's had during the three years he was gone. They were merely his moments of weakness when he felt too lonely that he wanted a warm body next to him on his bed. Of course he made sure that his flings knew that they were only flings and nothing more. If he wanted a serious relationship, he would have it here in Domino.

"Oh, by the way, we actually got to see Yugi's charm in action when we went out drinking in London," Marik said. "I can't explain it, but for some reason, guys and girls alike love what they call his boyish charm. He'd flash them a smile and they will come to him like moths to a flame."

"Yugi will speak in English with an accent and the person will eat that shit up. Like when we were in London, Yugi spoke to this girl with a thick Japanese accent. Total gentleman with just the right amount of contact," Malik shook his head. "Girl didn't have a chance. She was eating out of the palm of Yugi's hand."

"You guys are making me sound like a player," Yugi rolled his eyes. "One, she came onto me. Two, you asked me to show you how I flirt with people. I did. And three, I didn't sleep with her, just a couple of dances. Let me just clear that out right now." He narrowed his eyes at Joey and Tristan who were smiling like idiots at Malik's little tale.

"So, Yugi, you're going to stay here from now on?" Tea asked, her eyes hopeful.

Yugi flashed her his bright smile that everyone missed. "Well, yeah. The only reason Pegasus wanted me to travel the world was so I could learn the culture and the mannerisms of other people so I can use it when he brings in investors in his office."

"Well, you won't be working for him if I have anything to say about it," Seto said.

Yugi chuckled. "I'd like to travel as a tourist now than for work, Seto. No more than a week in a country," he joked. "And if I did, I'd like to travel with you guys instead. It's not so fun enjoying the sights alone, you know." He looked at Yami with a reassuring smile then looked at the rest of his friends. "Don't worry, Tea, if I'm leaving to go on a different country, I'll make sure to take you guys along."

"Besides, I just realized, when I don't bring you guys along with my travels, nothing dangerous happens," Yugi joked. "No evil being trying to take over the world and using magic to get what they want. Maybe our next trip there won't be any crazed weirdo wanting to trap us in another dimension."

"So what you're saying is that it's because of us that's why your travels are always life threatening?" Joey asked with a smirk.

"If we're going to be specific," Malik interjected. "It's only when these three are involved that things go weird and dangerous." He pointed at the three yamis who only shrugged in response.

"So if we travel without these three freaks plus Seto then we can actually have a normal outing?" Tristan asked with a smirk.

"Sounds like a plan!" Joey replied. "Oh and, Ryou, without Bakura, we can finally have that club night we've been planning! And with Yugi around, he can teach us how to flirt with other people," he said excitedly.

"Ooh!" Ryou's eyes glittered at Joey's suggestion. "Malik, you wanna join us?"

"Hell yes!" the platinum blond answered.

"HELL NO!" Seto, Bakura, and Marik exclaimed.

At their outburst, the rest of the gang started laughing, except for Yami who was glaring slightly at the prospect of Yugi flirting with other people.

"You are not flirting with other people in a club," Seto pressed, his icey blue eyes piercing at his boyfriend.

"That goes for you two," Bakura pointed at Marik and Ryou.

"Don't worry, guys. I'm pretty sure we've extinguished every evil weirdo there is," Yugi said, still chuckling. "Although, Pegasus and I found some cult at France, and I just left as soon as possible. I am not dealing with them without Yami, that's for sure."

At the look of mortification from his friends, Yugi laughed again.

"I'm kidding guys. We didn't find some cult in France. The catacombs were freaky though."

After talking about Yugi's travels, everyone got him up to speed with everything happening in Domino. One of which was Ishizu and Rishid finding Yami's tomb where all his possessions were. Since, technically, they were Yami's, he had a say on what happened to them. He wanted to give a portion of them to the Ishtars as payment for keeping an eye on his tomb but they declined saying that touring his famous tablet would provide more than enough for them that they could actually live in luxury if they wanted to. Yami had also given a portion of his treasures to Bakura. This took the former thief king off guard. Yami says that it wasn't fair that he got to live a life of luxury as a pharaoh as well as in his second life while Bakura lived off the streets back then and still have nothing now. He may not be able to bring back Bakura's friends and family but he could at least repay him in some other way.

Everyone went silent when Yugi asked about Yami and Tea. They gauged at his expression as Tea spoke and also considered leaving so the three of them could talk.

"Yugi, Yami and I broke up last December," she said carefully.

Beside Yugi, Yami had tensed and feared for the eventual rage and disappointment that will be directed at him by his hikari. He could feel the light's judging eyes looking at him. He couldn't speak yet so he waited for Tea to explain things. Truthfully, their talk last Christma aside, they haven't exactly talked about the break up ever. So now, Yami had to trust Tea that she wouldn't throw him under the bus as she explained the break up to Yugi.

"What happened?" Yugi asked, his voice laced with concern as he looked at his two best friends. Tea kept constant eye contact at him while Yami refused to meet his gaze. His body language was rigid and his eyes were either staring at Tea, hopeful, or down at his knees where Yugi couldn't see the expression in his crimson eyes. Did Tea break his heart?

"We've been arguing a lot lately and we just decided to break things off while we can still be friends," she explained with a smile.

"Are you guys okay now?" Yugi asked as he stared at Tea's smile and Yami's hesitation to look at him. Yugi was suddenly concerned for his darkness. He feared that maybe Tea was just saying that they were okay, but in reality, Yami was still mending his broken heart. Then he wouldn't know which person he would side on. He bumped his shoulder on his darkness to get a reaction, when his amethysts connected with the dazzling rubies of his darkness, he did his best to convey his concern over him.

"We're fine, aibou," Yami's voice spoke. He felt relief wash over him when he saw how concerned Yugi was of him. He knew that look well. Whenever Yami was off to a big duel, Yugi always showed that face of full concern and worry when they still both shared a body. "We're better now, ever since we broke up." He gave Yugi a reassuring smile. "If anything, we wouldn't be in good terms if we still continued dating each other."

"We would've hated each other," Tea continued. She grabbed Yugi's hand and smiled, "We promise that we're really fine, Yugi."

Yami couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy at the way Tea held his aibou's hand, her eyes shining with hope directed at Yugi. At the corner of his eye, he could see Bakura whispering to Ryou with a smirk. He could feel their stares at him. Ever since his talk with Bakura, the couple has teased him silently with their stares whenever the topic of Yugi was brought up. He did his best to swallow his jealousy since he really had no name for the feelings he had for his light. It could possibly just aftereffects of being separated from Yugi for such a long time. Bakura did mention that he could become clingy when Yugi comes back. Maybe that was just it. He was sure that once the itch in his soul from being so far away from his light subsides, he'll be back to normal. He did feel this way after the first few weeks of having his own body.

After another round of funny stories, it was time to go home. Yami and Yugi had offered to drive Tea to her place to which the brunette agreed. Yami had to fight the urge to roll his eyes when he saw the silent snickers of Bakura and Ryou. He internally groaned when he saw twin smirks from Marik and Malik. Looks like Bakura has shared his revelation to Marik.

In the car, Yami couldn't help but look at Tea as she ogled Yugi who already had his jacket off, revealing his toned arms and slightly tanned skin. He wouldn't be as sun-kissed as Yami's Egyptian complexion, but Yugi looked as if he was glowing with the bit of color on his skin. Yami figured he could be happy for Yugi. He remembered about the countless times he and Yugi would be in his soul room talking about the brunette. He felt like he was betraying Yugi when he agreed to date Tea but then again, Yugi had said he didn't like Tea anymore.

When they finally dropped Tea off and they got home, Yami couldn't help but tackle Yugi with another hug. The first thing he thought of was that Yugi smelled different.

"Have you been smoking?" he asked, his arms still wrapped around the hikari, his nose buried in Yugi's hair. He sighed deeply when he felt Yugi hug him back.

"How can you tell? The last time I had a smoke was before we boarded the plane." Yugi chuckled and reveled at the warmth his darkness provided. He had missed Yami the most.

Yami snorted. "Do you honestly think I can't tell if you've taken a smoke or not? And now that we're on the subject." Yami pulled away slightly to smirk at Yugi with a raised eyebrow. "Since when did you start smoking?"

The hikari giggled. "A few months after I left. It was a way to converse with other people outside of the meeting room. I'm not a chain smoker, if that's what you're worried about. I only do it as a way to talk to other people on a more personal level." Yugi then raised an eyebrow at the former pharaoh. "Besides, you're one to talk, don't think I didn't see the pack of cigarettes you were trying to hide in the glove compartment."

Yami blushed slightly but shrugged nonetheless before hugging Yugi again, giving the hikari little room to move. Since his arms were stuck in Yami's embrace, Yugi could only move his hands in a poor attempt of hugging his darkness back. Not that he minded. He missed Yami the most out of all of his friends anyways. This kind of attention was welcome.

"Come on, Yami, it's time for bed. Grandpa is already asleep," Yugi tapped his darkness's side lightly but the dark didn't budge. Yugi chuckled then pulled away slightly so he could be face to face with Yami. "You want to sleep in the same room tonight, mou hitori no boku?"

At the sound of his old nickname, Yami couldn't help but sigh in contentment. He pulled away and nodded. "I'll just go to my room and change, mou hitori no ore." He hugged the hikari one last time before leading the way up the stairs to the bedrooms. Yami had changed into his usual sleep wear, the maroon pajamas he received from Yugi on his first birthday since he stayed in the land of the living. He didn't bother knocking at Yugi's door, so when he entered Yugi's room, Yami's jaw fell to the floor at the sight of his half-dressed hikari.

Yugi was only clad in light blue boxers with stars on it, reminiscent of his old pajamas back when he was a teenager. He was currently topless, showing Yugi's lean body. He didn't have defined muscles like Yami but he was well-toned, like a swimmer's or a dancer's. and the boxers hung dangerously low on his hips showing the nice V-shaped path down to his-

Yami shook his head and blinked rapidly, mentally smacking himself for his very inappropriate thoughts.

"Hey, Yami," Yugi blushed furiously when he saw the intense gaze Yami had on him. He rushed to put on his grey shirt. He sat down on the bed and patted the space between him. There was a black blur and Yugi was now lying on the bed in the arms of Yami. Having his darkness be this clingy with him wasn't really new since they got separated. Yami refused to leave Yugi's side and so did he. There was an itch in his mind that he couldn't scratch unless he was with his darkness. They spent weeks just being with each other until they were able to function separately without breaking down. With the extended time apart, the itch came back but it was somewhat bearable. He ran his hand through Yami's soft hair and cuddled deeper in his arms. "I'm sorry," he whispered softly.

"You already said that," Yami murmured. "I already told you that I don't care. What's important is that you're back." And it was true. He had no right to be angry with his light. If it weren't for Yugi, he'd still be a tortured soul stuck in the Millennium Puzzle.

"Are you okay?" Yugi asked carefully. "I know you and Tea said you guys were okay, but really, mou hitori no boku, are you okay?" He made sure he was maintaining eye contact with Yami and conveying full on concern for his darkness. "I won't get mad, Yami. You know I can't get mad at you."

"I'm seriously fine, aibou. Like I said, I'd be worse if we stayed together." He froze for a moment after he heard what he said. He didn't mean to sound like he was badmouthing Tea. No need to make a reason for Yugi to hate him.

Yugi sat up on the bed and leaned on the headboard. "Yami, come on. It's been years since we've had a decent talk and it's my fault. But I'm here now and I want you to tell me."

He instantly regretted it when he looked up at Yugi's bright wide amethyst eyes pleading at him. Yami groaned audibly. "Yugi, no fair." He put his hand playfully to cover Yugi's puppy dog eyes. "You know I can't say 'no' to that face." At the giggle from Yugi, Yami sighed and removed his hand so he could sit up next to Yugi. "Tea and I never really saw eye to eye in the first place."

Pursing his lips, Yugi studied the boy beside him. He didn't speak, he just waited for Yami to continue.

"It felt like Tea wanted me to act differently. It was difficult especially with the way I was brought up. I was raised to be a living god and to act like one. Then I started dating Tea, and she expected me to serve her hand and foot," he started to ramble. "She expects me to wait for her during her dance practice, go with her to the mall and carry all of her bags, and she even wanted me to wear and eat the things she want. I can't do that." After he let out his rant, he looked at Yugi and stopped himself from saying more. Even though they have shared a body, he still respected Yugi and his friends. He still thought that Yugi would put his friends first before him.

Yugi must've felt his yami's distress so he smiled and carefully touched Yami's arm. "I'm not mad. Just tell me, Yami. I'll listen. I don't hate you. You know I could never hate you."

"I'm sorry, aibou. I just don't want to give Tea a bad image or make you think that I'm badmouthing her in front of you. You may have told me that you don't like her anymore, but that doesn't mean you wouldn't still defend. She still is your oldest friend, after all." He bowed his head in apology and waited for Yugi to speak.

"Age-wise, you are my oldest friend, pharaoh." Yugi teased to lighten the mood. "But seriously, mou hitori no boku. Tea may be my friend, but you're my friend too."

Yami rolled his eyes but smiled at Yugi. "Tea told me that she wasn't really in love with me and that maybe she never did in the first place. I kinda felt the same way. I never really did like her that way. I was just too self-conscious to say no to her. I didn't know if you'd hate me if I said no or yes or what. I already stole the attention of the girl you liked and then I'm just going to turn her down after you already said it was okay. When we started dating, it was quite frustrating to try and fit myself to the image she had pictured me in. Then we had the whole college argument when I decided to take online classes so I could help grandpa with the shop." He sat on the other side of the bed so he could be face to face with Yugi. "I was dueling for a few months and used my winnings for the shop and help him on days when I'm not dueling. Tea told me that I should get a degree and I did talk to grandpa about it and he told me that it would be good to have one so I decided to get one online so I could still actively help grandpa in the shop. But she didn't approve." Yami stopped himself from rambling again.

"Let me guess, considering you're about to finish your online degree that that argument ended?" Yugi asked.

Yami shook his head. "The argument kept coming up and we've fought far too many times because of it."

Yugi just listened and nodded. He squeezed Yami's arm to reassure him. "I always thought that you guys would make a good couple, you know?" Yugi smiled at Yami and continued. "You guys are both confident, and amazing."

"I missed you so much," Yami said again, not wanting to talk about Tea anymore.

"I missed you too, Yami. You're the one I missed the most. I'm sorry I left." He was genuinely sorry for leaving and not even trying hard to come back and visit. "I'm also sorry for blocking you out from our mind link. I didn't know how else was I going to be able to go without having second thoughts."

"Why did you shut me out?"

Yugi's breath hitched slightly at the pained voice of Yami. "I knew that if there was anyone in my life that would convince me not to go, that would be you."

Yami nodded and looked carefully at Yugi. "It was hard being so far away from you. I used to sleep in your room with the lights on when I miss you at night."

"Before I left, people always asked me why I wasn't with you whenever they saw me alone. I may have won the Ceremonial Duel, the duel that was supposed to prove that I can go on with my life without you, but people still expect me to depend on you." Yugi kept his eyes downcast. His hands were fiddling with the hem of his shirt. "When sensei told me that I could go on a trip to study few courses, the main reason I wanted to accept it so I could actually prove that I can be alone and not need you, despite what people believe. But at the same time, I didn't want to leave you because you're my best friend. You're the other half of my soul, Yami. How could I leave you? But then when you and Tea announced that you were going to start dating, I could feel the stares people had on me like I was going to wilt and fade now that you were going to live your life on your own with someone else. I hated that."

Yami kept silent as he listened to Yugi. He saw his hikari's fists form and shake then relax in a few seconds. The former spirit didn't realize that people still expected Yugi to depend on him. Yami always felt like he was the one clinging on Yugi, always depending on him. The Mutou family had always been nice and accommodating for him. They enrolled him to Yugi's school, gave him clothes, and a roof over his head. He could afford living alone with the money he had but he couldn't leave Yugi. Hell, he couldn't even sleep alone with the lights off for the first month he had his own body. He wanted to sleep beside Yugi's warmth with the lights on so he knew that he wasn't trapped in the Shadow Realm anymore. And Yugi never complained about it. In Yami's perspective, he was the one depending on Yugi not the other way around.

"I finally decided that I was going to the trip so I could prove to people that I can be on my own. But then I was also scared after I told everyone. I was especially scared that you would ask me to stay so I closed the link off. I needed people to know that I was capable of independence But if you asked me to stay, I would." Finally Yugi looked up at Yami to see a soft his face. He didn't look like he was mad or hurt. He was just smiling.

"You went to see the world so you could find yourself. Be Yugi Mutou without the spirit of the puzzle be the most defining feature about you," Yami said. He saw Yugi nod and close his eyes.

Somehow, at the back of his mind, that corner of his mind he hadn't used in such a long time, Yami felt that all too familiar warm sensation. He looked straight into Yugi's eyes and that's when he realized it.

Their mind link was open.

And for the nth time today, Yami flung himself to Yugi to wrap his arms around him. Nothing felt more comforting than the warmth he felt when he felt Yugi's presence in his mind just like when they used to share a body. It was something he never really did get over since their separation. His eyes may be closed, but he could feel the warm light surrounding him and he never wanted to leave the confines of this room ever again.

Yami was careful not to let it slip through the mind link about his little talks with Ryou and Bakura. He didn't need Yugi to know that he was slowly realizing that maybe he really was in love with his light since he was scared that Yugi might distance himself from Yami. Besides, Yami wasn't certain with his feelings towards Yugi, but he did feel a magnetic pull towards him. He needed time to think about it. Just like in duels, he needed to think first before making sudden moves that could backfire due to his carelessness.

A/N: So this went up later than I'd like. I was writing and writing that I realized I was actually writing the third chapter now and I just completely forgot that I haven't posted the second chap yet. So yeah, Yugi is back and this chapter is just about what happened to him all those years. Next chapter is almost done which is fun! But don't expect it to be up soon because work is eating up most of my time right now, but I plan on finishing this fic soon.