A blue glow still remained on the horizon when Yugi and Joey arrived at the hospital. The Snow was drifting softly towards the ground and might have been pleasant, were it not for the freezing cold. Yugi's shivering, he suspected, was not merely down to the winter weather.

The last time he had visited here, he'd make the somewhat terrifying discovery of his love for Serenity. The pair had shared a kiss, and should Joey ever find out, there could be heavy consequences. Also a problem was Tristan, whom Yugi knew, almost for certain, was also infatuated with Serenity.

The duo once more flashed ID as they passed the front desk, and took the stairs to the third floor. Their short walk was met with staring from staff and patients alike. Yugi Muto, the Duel Monsters champion, was in THEIR hospital!

"Heh, yeah, that's right, number one and number two are visitin' you!" declared Joey.

"Who's that guy next to Yugi?" muttered a nurse, turning to her friend. "Isn't he the brother of that poor blind girl upstairs?"

Joey gave an exasperated look as they turned the corner into the hallway outside Serenity's room. While an experienced duellist, who had indeed placed second in Pegasus' Duellist Kingdom tournament, he had yet to command the respect of many, few of whom recognised him. Yugi often thought Joey might be jealous, but sought to reassure him through any means possible. Joey was talented, even if there were those who couldn't see it, and Yugi swore to make sure that Joey Wheeler would become a household name. Besides, it was Christmas. Time to relax and forget about Duel Monsters.

Joey reached the door first, before pausing cautiously. He could hear a voice inside the room, and was acutely aware of being the only visitor scheduled that day. He decided to risk interrupting and burst through the door, in a way exclusive to Joey (meaning falling over his own feet).

"SERENI-Mai?"

"Oh, hey, Joey, fancy seeing you here... me and Serenity were just having a little catch up session!"

It was Mai, the duellist they'd befriended at Duellist Kingdom, and who, as far as Yugi could see, Joey had taken quite a shine to. The pair had started out as big rivals, but the boy had obviously decided to follow his biological feelings rather than his (admittedly somewhat limited) common sense. They might deny it, but it was obvious to Yugi what was really going on.

In his thoughtfulness, Yugi had forgotten who exactly he was visiting, and his stomach fell back to earth slightly faster than he would have liked- Serenity gave a nervous smile in their general direction as he and Tristan followed Joey into the room.

Mai had been about to leave, but was delayed by the group's arrival. Yugi was glad for her presence; she kept the pressure off, and distracted Joey to the extent that he and Serenity even managed to grasp a few hurriedly whispered messages into each other's ears, as the group talked for hours about anything and everything.

The sun had long set by the time the lights came on outside. Christmas in Domino City was a notoriously low-key affair, yet from this height there was something satisfactory to watching the few dots of light spread over the horizon and reflect the stars above.

"All those lights out there... makes you think how small we really are, doesn't it..." observed Joey, to Yugi's amusement. He loved Joey's philosophical moments, and to think that the boy who had once bullied him was capable of this kind of humility brought a smile to his face.

Mai's hand curled around Joey's as she pulled gently and muttered into his ear that they might find a better view on the roof.

"Hey, uh, guys, me and Mai are goin' to look at the city from the roof? You coming?"

"Sorry, but no thanks. I didn't bring a coat, and it's awfully chilly out there. I'll stay and keep you company, Serenity!" Yugi politely declined. "I'll see you all in a moment."

"Suit yourself Yugi. We'll be back when we get bored!" Joey joked. He flicked off the lights as he passed the threshold through to the hallway. "That should give you a better view!" He shouted back as the two sets of footsteps disappeared down the hall.

Yugi couldn't believe his luck. Alone with Serenity for at least half an hour while his three friends went exploring? The soft glow through the windows of the city below set the stage perfectly- enough light to see by, but dark enough for privacy. He took a seat next to Serenity, who had ceased perching on the edge of her bed and swung her legs back onto it.

"We really need to stop meeting like this!" She giggled, before reaching over to Yugi. He took the blind girl's hand and guided it to his waist, then leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips.

"I know. But then until you recover, we can't meet any other way, can we?" he responded. Serenity did not respond, but put her other hand round him and pulled him into a sitting hug, which soon became an embrace on the bed once she rolled over. She found her way to his mouth, and kissed again, harder this time, with her mouth slightly open. He kissed back, moving his hands behind her and under the girl's shirt, clutching her warm back. Serenity was shivering slightly, though not out of cold, as she slid her arms under his jacket and laid her fingers on his stomach. He felt cold. God, they were doing this in a hospital bed. Was this even allowed? Serenity didn't know, and much less did she care.

Wind whipped across the helipad of Domino Hospital, and the two figures emerged, silhouetted against the skyline, from the stairs leading up to the roof. Of course, they weren't supposed to be there, but Mai could hardly think of a better place for them to be alone. She gripped Joey's hand tightly.

"It's beautiful up here..." She whispered. Joey couldn't help thinking the view wasn't the only thing. Of course, he'd never pull together the courage to say that to her, so he instead pulled her round to face him and looked her in the eyes.

"Mai... there's somethin' I've been wanting to tell you for a while... and you probably aren't going to want to hear it, but-"

"Save it Joey. I know what you're going to say, and to be honest I've been wanting... oh, just come here!" She stammered, before somewhat roughly pulling him in and kissing him roughly on the lips. They stayed entwined for what seemed to Joey like minutes, the wind cutting into them like a razor, but offering no hindrance, for they merely held on tighter for warmth.

The fantasies of the pair had finally reached their realisation, and at a perfect time- what time could be more romantic than now, Christmas time, in the snow?

"This may have taken a while to happen, Mai, but God, there couldn't be a more perfect place..." breathed Joey. Mai merely gave him a smirk, and stared him in the eyes as her small hands worked their way down their body and began undoing his belt.

Three stories below, Serenity still caressed Yugi. The boy's palms now rested on her chest, and, though unfamiliar with the situation, she felt rather at ease. Neither one knew how much time had passed. Joey and Mai would be back any moment, and were they to be caught like this there would be no excuse to save them.

"Yugi, I- I've never felt like this before. But.. what if my brother comes back?" sighed Serenity.

"Then we'll just have to see what happens... but for now, we should be safe." He kissed her again. "Knowing those two, they're probably having a little alone time of their own..." He might be joking, but he wished Joey well. He and Mai were so perfect, and hell, if he could be happy, Joey had better be as well. Still exhilarated, he pulled the covers up over their heads as Serenity shifted to sit on his stomach and took his hands into her own. Her breath was soft and fast, though became slower and heavier as she released Yugi's hands and began to lower her jeans.

Joey and Mai held hands, yet were silent as they advanced down the corridor, the events of that night likely still fresh in their minds. Joey would never have believed, upon his entering the hospital, what would take place. Things could not have gone more perfectly. Mai might be older, but he loved her. The thought scared him, yet at the same time thrilled him. He only hoped that they would have more time to explore it, before Kaiba's Battle City tournament began. What if they ended up opponents? What if she and Yugi were made to duel? Where his loyalties lay he hadn't a clue, but he knew that tonight, at least, he might go to bed without a care in the world.

Yugi perched on the end of Serenity's bed, concentrating fiercely on his own palms. He was sweating, though that was to be expected. What if Joey found out about what had happened that night? He had little confidence their friendship would survive the ordeal. If anything, his friends would believe he had taken advantage of Serenity, used her for his own ends. In some ways he felt he had. He saw no way anyone with full sight would be able to do those things, knowing who he was and what he looked like.

But this was not the time for humility. Serenity had curled up asleep, and Yugi's lips brushed her cheek before he left the room for the final time that year. He vowed to himself that whatever the consequences, he would continue to see her, to love her, and most importantly keep the secret from Joey. Battle City would present many risks- people were aware of his prowess as a duellist now, and many would do anything in their power to win, he knew that. But thoughts of Serenity's face would keep him level headed throughout any trials that lay ahead.

He took one last glance at her through the still open door, before sealing it behind him, shutting himself off from Serenity once more, for however long it might be until they were reunited for those next few brief hours, clutching at moments alone until she was able to regain her sight.

Yugi and Joey met by the main staircase, Mai having departed via a different route so as to avoid detection as an unauthorised visitor. Contented, if a little worried, the friends set off into the crisp snow outside. Taking their last glimpses of the hospital as it disappeared behind apartment blocks, Joey relayed to Yugi the night's events. Had Yugi ever been in any reasonable doubt regarding Joey's feelings, the news might have come as a shock, yet under these circumstances he felt nothing but joy for Joey, and gratitude for alleviating the pressure laid on him.

Pausing briefly outside of Yugi's house, the pair said their goodbyes. Yugi was ecstatic. Serenity's heart was now his, and at the same time, Joey had found love.

"Merry Christmas Yugi!" smiled Joey, before turning on his heel and heading home.

"And you too!" Yugi shouted back, pushing open the door into the welcoming light and warmth of his home. And he meant it.

Author's notes: Yeah, I played it safe with the pairings... but I hope you enjoy this :) parts 2 and 3 coming up soon! Merry Christmas!