Well...Not too much to say here. Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I'm glad you like the story! ^.^ So, without further ado, here it is!
Disclaimer; I don't own it dammit! .!
***************
I'm loving every moment with you
I'm living in a dream that's comin' true
I'm lost in everthing you do
I love you
I Feel Too Much by Celine Dion
***************
"Yami, I'm home!" I close the door with my foot only moments before I collapse on the couch and let all four bags fall to the floor. Who knew clothes weighed so much?! Of course, the probably twelve pounds worth of little 'extra's' as Ryou liked to call them, didn't help the matter much.
I hear his padded footsteps down the stairs and looking up, there he is in all his glory. His collar was crooked, but there was one slim chance of me fixing it right now. Too hard to move, nonetheless adjust something that makes him look bad. Well, that's not true. There isn't really anything I think that could make Yami look bad. Just not in his genes.
His eyes flicked over to the bags and he rolled his eyes before jumping over the back of the couch onto the edge beside me in one fluid movement. How the hell does he do that? I can hardly walk without looking a little... drunk. Of course, he's had a little over 5,000 years to perfect it.
"I see that you've gone shopping." Yami begins to dig into one of the bags, but panic gave me the boost I needed to move and grab his hand to prevent him from seeing it's contents.
Unfortunetly, this stunt has cost me. For now, due to the fact that I jumped to get to his hand from my previous spot, I am now sprawled on his lap. Turning my head to look up at an amused pair of exotic eyes, heat rises to my cheeks. This hadn't been planned.
"Hello, Yugi." He gave a small laugh, one right from his chest and with my head where it was, I could hear the resonating from within. Oh god, kill me now! I cannot let my awkwardness show! Must be resolute and sturdy! Be the tree, Yugi! BE the TREE!
"Hello, Yami." My voice is casual, as though it is perfectly normal for me to be there. It felt normal, it felt RIGHT, but that's beside the point.
"Comfortable?" He released his hand, which I'd still been holding onto, making me roll completely on my back instead of my side looking over my shoulder. Crossing them, he raised an eyebrow at my silence. I smirked and stuck out my tongue.
"And just what if I am?" Let's hear him answer THAT one! Very rarely do I win word-plays with Yami, so I'm satisfied that I've shut him up.
"I'd have to question my sanity." What?! Okay, what the hell does that mean?!
I've decided *against* replying and sit up, grabbing three of the bags before heading to the stairs.
"Yugi, you've forgotten one!" I pause halfway up the stairs to look at him.
"It's dinner and some movies. I thought we could just hang out here tonight. You know, relax. That's what vacations are for!" Flashing a smile, I go to my room and close the door.
As I put the newest additions to my wardrobe in the closet, my mind wanders to what Yami had said earlier. 'I'd have to question my sanity...' What did he mean by that? He'd have to be insane to think that I would put my head in his lap and say I was comfortable? Wasn't that kinda... I dunno... stupid? And why, when he'd said that, his voice hadn't been mocking? If he'd only sounded like he was teasing, it wouldn't be bothering me like this. Did that mean he was... no. No it didn't.
I shake my head before setting the armbands in a drawer. Wishful thinking isn't going to do me any good. I can't start seeing things that aren't there. Then I'll just get confident and then I'll do something stupid. And then I'll lose him before I ever get the chance at something real between us.
The sun had disappeared from the sky, and my feet brought me to the open window. The sight of the street full of snow and moonlight was soothing for me. Glittering crystals sparkled as the cloudless night sky rained upon it and in the window.
A couple catches my eye. They're both fairly young, say mid-twenties, and I'm almost hypnotized as I watch them. He tells her something; she laughs and her hair falls in her face; they pause; lean in; kiss.
Looking up to the sky, I let my imagination run unrestricted and my hopes rise. The winter atmosphere had that affect on me. I see the visions flash before my eyes and I smile without notice.
Yami smiling down at me, his arms holding me close as I tell him something stupid about my day and he just laughs and tells me that nothing I say or do is stupid. That I'm perfect, and I say, 'Only to you,' before the distance between us is closed. Then he pulls away to whisper 'only *for* me' just as our lips meet once again...
I sigh, and look at my reflection. Then I notice a movement in the background.
"Yugi, are you alright?" Smiling softly, I nod and sigh.
"I'm fine, Yami-chan. Just thinking." He rests his hands on the windowsill beside me, gazing up at the moon and me, from the corner of his eye.
"About what, Aibou?" I laugh at the nickname, looking at the ground before standing upright and closing the window. Heading towards the stairs, I gesture for him to follow.
"It's nothing important."
***************
I can't believe it. I just can NOT believe it! I am in SHOCK staring at the still body of Yami sitting next to mine. Tell me it's not true...
Yami has fallen asleep halfway through the movie! Sleepless in Seattle! How can he fall asleep when the movie is such an obvious hint at romance! It's enough to drive a person mad!
My eyes soften as his head falls to the side facing me. Rolling my eyes, I stop the movie and being as careful as I can, lay him down on the couch and cover him with a spare blanket. He shifts, turning away from me and pulling the blanket closer to himself.
"Yugi..." I smile at the small utterance of my name. I wonder absently what he's thinking that involves me as I run a hand through his hair. Probably asking me where his socks were or something.
I go up to my room and set the alarm, my mind, as usual, preoccupied with thought's of a certain pharaoh. Settling into the covers, I answer the call of darkness and sleep.
**************
The shrill ringing in my ears is very annoying. Rolling over on the bed, I press the button and the sound ceases. For this day anyway. Looking at the digital screen, I glare. Why the hell did I set my alarm for eight in the morning?! I don't have school today! It's Sunday, for crying out loud! Last time I set the damn alarm with Yami on the brain.
Grumbling all the while, I throw off the sheets and head toward the bathroom, flinging clothes in my wake. I surprise myself by being so untidy. Of course, anyone who got up at 8 on a Sunday isn't like to give a crap.
Ah... Warm water feels nice. The water rains on my head and time flies by, ignored by me. Just as I am to put the conditioner in my hair, a knock on the door is barely registered over the water.
"Yami? Is that you?"
"Yeah."
"Come on in, it's open!" A minute or two pass before the door is finally slid open. Our curtain is dark green and you can't really see anything beyond a body outline, so I'm not worried. He steps in and with a click, the door closes behind him.
After hearing no sound, I glance in his direction to still see him standing there.
"You okay?"
"H-huh?"
"I said 'are you okay'?"
"Oh. Y..yeah, I'm fine." After he started to brush his teeth, I let the odd verbal behavior leave my mind and stand beneath the shower spray.
"Oh, this feels SO good..." At the perfect temperature, this is just what I need. Rinsing my hair till it seemed to be of a heavenly texture, I realized something. I'd forgotten a towel. And Yami was... right there.
"Uh, Yami?" I peek around the curtain, making sure that my face and face alone can be seen, and seek his eyes. Only the two lavender objects are distracted by his toothbrush. Or what used to be his toothbrush. There's only half of it left... Oh wait, there it is! By... his... foot. When did that happen?
"Yami-chan, are you okay?" He looks at me surprised, before dropping the tooth brush and spinning to face me completely. He coughed before crossing his arms.
"Yes, Yugi. What did you need?" I gave a dry laugh and glanced at the floor.
"I kinda forgot a towel, so do you think you could get one for me? There's some spare ones in the hall closet. Would you mind?"
"Not at all." A second later he returned, fluffy white towel in hand. I reached out and took it as fast as I could, trying to wipe off his odd look with a smile.
"Thanks." I stepped back behind the curtain and wrapped myself in it after turning off the shower. "Woulda been kinda embarassing for me to step out naked and have you standing there, eh?" More like a golden oppurtunity, but it's not like I was about to say *that* just yet. He didn't respond and I looked at his tense form after exiting the shower with questioning eyes.
"You okay, Yami?" He nodded, but I wasn't convinced. I stepped forward and put my hand on his forehead. At the contact, a phrase rang through my mind.
'You just have to know what to wear, what look to give...How to press their buttons with a simple touch.'
I felt something click in my mind, before I looked into his eyes and widened them just enough to look like the innocent virgin I was. Right. I let my hand slide down the side of his face and lay it to rest on his cheek. Following my thumb as it brushes along the length of it with my eyes, I pause and look up at him.
"Your cheeks are warm, Yami-chan. Do you not feel well?" The words were whispered which wasn't the most discreet thing I could do, but it had a pleasing effect. He took a step back and tugged a little at the collar of his shirt, swallowing hard. I took a step forward, trapping him against the door. Not with my body of course, but since he shuffled back once again, he had put himself in the position. Frowning, I sighed before giving him some space to move. The space seemed to make him relax, and after a second he walked out of the way and let me pass through the door.
"I'm fine, Yugi," he said to me once I made it out the door. I nodded, grinning.
"Okay, Yami. Just making sure." Changing into one of my new ensembles, this one of a fitting black turtleneck and cream pants to bring out my skin color and body shape, I secretly jumped around at my success.
The look on his face had been priceless when I'd done touched his cheek! If I could make him react to everything I do like *that*, he'll be mine in no time! Of course, I'd have to find a lot of plausible reasons to do so. Which, sadly, means that I'll have to wait till oppurtunity's make themselves known if I don't want to raise suspicion. Damn. All well. His responses are worth it.
They are *definately* worth it. And this was only the beginning, I was sure.
***************
To my disappointment, Yami seemed to have recovered from our little moment when I returned downstairs after getting ready for the day. He was folding the blanket I'd covered with him, composed as normal with a look of indifference on his face.
I decided to behave the same, and completed my path to the kitchen, setting up various items for breakfast just as I did everyday. He came in after awhile, and we ate in silence. I was trying to think. What could we do today? With the plan that Seto, Jou, Bakura, Ryou, and I had worked out, we weren't going to really do anything with us all until Friday.
"So, you wanna finish the movie," I question, putting one of the last dishes back into the cupboard. He nods without speaking and dries his hands. His silence was almost to the point of hurtful to me, but I kept my mouth shut, beginning to question whether that little stunt I'd pulled was as successful as I'd thought.
He wouldn't even look at me now. Was he already that disgusted with me and not willing to hurt me because of it? Hoping he was distracted, I tried to see what he was thinking. Nothing. His insides were just as passive as his expression.
I felt my mood drop.
"On second thought, I think I'm just gonna work on my homework." Forgetting about the dish in my hand, I walked passed him, but paused as a light weight was added to my shoulder. Had he seen through my lie?
Searching his eyes with my own, I made no move to hide my hurt at his somewhat cold attitude. It was only his normal one, but after hoping my odds had increased, this was a big blow. His features crease with concern.
I know his question before it leaves his mouth, and I don't know about you but I think we've been wondering about whether the other was 'okay' WAY too much. I searched my thoughts for a moment, trying to think of something I could say that would change the subject before it was brought up.
'You'd have to find out their interests, I guess. If they like reading poetry, for example, try and memorize a few rare-poems and reciting them. Only if it fit the conversation of course. Don't want to look stupid.'
Of course! I knew just where we could go that would pull Yami from his mood! Before the words can fall from my mouth, the slipperyness of my hands causes the dish to fall to the ground, breaking in half.
"Aw, dammit." Turning around and bending over (at the waist of course. Legally Blonde is law) I start to pick up the pieces. His feet are visible through my own, and sparing a glance, the utter stillness surprises me. It was just like in the bathroom when he'd... frozen...
Oh my god! Golden situation! I could only pray to Kami that my mother had blessed me with fluidity!
I bent down towards the pieces once again, but this time, I took my dear sweet time. A light brush across the top of the piece, groan in frustration, bend some more, grab at the edge for it only to escape my grasp once again.
"Damn! I just can't seem to... reach it!" My god, it sounds like such a bad hetero porn fic I'm ashamed of myself. After a quick check of Yami's mind, however, I'm prompted to continue. Whether or not the great former Pharaoh noticed or not, but his body was enjoying this. And so was I.
Making one final reach, I grabbed the two pieces in my hands. Now, to implement one final rule from Legally Blonde. The bend and snap. Taking one deep breath, I bring up my torso and flip back my hair and elbows.
The effect of my sexy tousled face is lost however, because turning only brings me to the sight of Yami doubled over, his nose in his hands. I don't even need to use our link to see he's in pain. What the hell had happened? The stinging sensation in my elbow made its way to my brain, and it all clicked.
I'd just phwacked the man of my dreams in the nose! WITH MY ELBOW!
"Oh, Jesus." The pieces drop again, but I don't care. I'm too busy covering my mouth and watching with wide eyes as a small drop of blood splashes on the tiling.
"Yami! Are you okay?" I try to lift him up to face me, but he backs away, flicking one crimson eye in my direction.
"Mm phine," he managed to mutter through the clamped hand. I narrowed my eyes getting the odd sense that Yami was hiding something other than his injury from me.
"Yami... Show me.... your face." Both eyes look at me this time, but he shakes his head, backward pace increasing. I simply follow, never dropping my gaze.
"Your really bad at backing away you know that," I taunt as he finds himself stuck between a corner and I for the second time that day.
"Please, Yugi, I'm fine, really. See?" Yami was underestimating his damage. Showing me a smile was kinda creepy with the blood coming between his fingers. Sighing, I grabbed his hands and removed them before he had a chance to stop me.
My eyebrows raised to my hairline. Yami's nose! His beautiful nose! It was a purple, bloody mess!
"Oh my god, Yami! We have to get you to a hospital!"
"NO!" His arms grab my waist and bring me down to the floor. In any other situation, this would've been the best moment of my life, but obviously, it wasn't.
"Why not?!" What is with him?! WHY doesn't he want to go when he so obviously needs some sort of.... nose fixer thing?!
"Because I... Isn't there something here at the house that you can use? Do we have to go outside?" My jaw drops.
"Your embarassed about your face, aren't you?! That's why you won't let me help you, isn't it?!" Grinning sheepishly, I'm giving my answer.
"Oh, for goodness sake's Yami! Your nose is mashed potatoes! You need help and I'm going to make you go!" Grabbing the neareset dish towel, I press it against the afflicted area. Not too hard, but just enough to let him know I would inflict even more serious injury if he didn't comply with my wishes. Slumping in defeat, he followed me out to the car.
"Now," I told him, managing to buckle his seatbelt while holding the towel to his face. "I want you to hold this to your nose until we get to the hospital. And no funny business like trying to jump out of the car or join with me or I'll....Rip up your LIBRARY CARD!"
Maybe that had been a bit too much, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
"Let's go."
***************
Twenty minutes later, I sat next to Yami's bed as a nurse applied a final layer of wrap and gauze to his nose. I held his hand, more for my comfort than his, watching every emotion that crossed his beautiful, well, mostly beautiful face and knowing I'd caused it.
Fear. Pain. Hurt. Frustration. All were caused by me trying to get into his pants! Why me?! I shoulda just stayed happy with our relationship and never tried to attempt something I'd seen in a movie! I mean, isn't that the biggest rule about movie watching? 'Don't try this at home?' Well now I really know why!
The nurse left the room, and Yami's eyes closed. Guilt weighing on me heavily, I gently touched the make-shift cast on his nose. His eyebrows twitched, but he didn't say anything. Letting the hand rest on his chest, I felt tears in my eyes.
"I'm so sorry, Yami. I... I ruined your face..." Dropping my gaze to the floor, I rose from my seat when a hand stopped me once more. Looking at my beloved, all feelings left me at the kind gaze in his eyes.
"Yugi, you didn't ruin my face. You just bruised up my nose is all. Come here." He patted the area beside him, and with great reluctance, I sat down.
"There, now that's wasn't too bad." Yami smiled at me, lifting my poor spirits for only a second until they were crushed by his wince.
"Oh, Yami, what are you talking about? I feel so horrible! Your nose was all bloody and bruised and it's all my fault!" A lone tear fell down my cheek, but it's path was broken by the gentle swipe of his hand.
"Yugi, *listen* to me. My nose is not my face. So just stop saying my face looks so bad! Then I'll have to start believing you! And you don't want me to hate my own face, do you?"
"No! No, not at all! I love your face! Uh, I mean..." SHIT! His laugh breaks the beginnings of my panic attack.
"Thanks for that vote of confidence. Now, as I was saying. Aibou, don't be so upset. Accident's happen." He shrugged and summoned another pure smile. I felt warm at just the sight of his content face, letting a small bit of guilt rise from the pool.
"It's partially my own fault, you know. I shouldn't have been leaning forward anyway..." Red begins to set on his face, and I tilt my head.
"Why were you leaning forward, Yami?" I didn't remember seeing/sensing any change in his position...
"I was going to help you pick up the pieces of the plate. Just to make sure you didn't accidentally cut yourself. Guess that plan kinda back-fired." I laughed, rolling my eyes at him.
"Yeah, that's what happens when you try to stop pain." The laughter in my voice suddenly dies, the situation replaced with something else, unbeknownst to the man at my side.
"It'll catch up with you in the end. Can't stop the inevitable." The lavender of my eyes darkens, but not for long. Shaking away the dark thoughts for later contemplation, I slide off the bed and gesture for him to follow.
"How about we go home and get another movie or two? I have to go grocery shopping, but we'll have enough to get us through the night. That sound good? It'll all be your choice. My treat." He can't resist the tone of my voice. Laughing at my antics, he follows and exits the room.
"Okay, Yugi. Sounds like a plan."
***************
"Do you want a pillow," I called down from upstairs, rummaging through a closet filled with spare anything. "Or another blanket? I've got plenty of em! I've got some sleeping bags, I've got a down blanket right here, if you want that..."
"Yugi, I'm fine! Stop worrying so much!" Yami tries to look at me from his lying body on the couch, but gives up as he soon finds it futile to achieve such a feat.
Not taking the risk of him suffering from anything else at my hands, I grab the blanket and an extra soft yet supportive pillow and head downstairs.
"I told you you didn't have to-"
"Don't worry about it, Yami." I smile softly, tucking the blanket behind his head and a little below his shoulders so his neck doesn't get a crink. "I still feel bad about earlier. I wanted to make it up to you..." It was only then that I realized I'd had to lean over him to prop the pillow.
Feeling the gentle warmth of his breath mingled with my own, my control buckled, all thought lost as I gazed into the eyes oh so close to my own. Blushing cutely, I slid back to a standing position and went to lighting the candles I'd found in the closet. Trying to save money for heating bills. Of course.... I want to... save money...
"Okay, now sit our butt down so we can start the movie! All your frettings starting to get to me, you old mother hen." Feigning offense, I put my hands on my hips and frown at him.
"Don't you use that tone with me young man, or it'll be bedtime for you!"
"You know," Yami began, ruby eyes mocking me as they stare at me from the other end of the couch. "You can imitate an old woman quite well. Is there something you aren't telling me Yugi?"
"Eh?" He lowered his face and glanced around, as though government agents were going to jump us at any moment.
"Did you... Used to be a woman?"
"Yami!" I pushed at his chest and leaned over him, glaring.
"I'll have you know that I am fully and completely, one hundred percent manflesh!" Sticking out my chest, he just rolls his eyes and crosses his arms behind his head.
"If YOUR 100% manflesh, that must make me, what, 1000%?"
"What?! Just because you have a nice body does NOT make you more of a man than me!" His eyebrow raised, joining his eyes in their mocking.
"You think I have a nice body?" God DAMN how does he keep doing this?! I could just wring the smirk right off his face! But I was not about to lose our wordplay! Not this time!
"Well, I DID, but now that your nose looks like it was brutally attacked by a yeti, you've gone to, I dunno, Bakura's level?" The utter disgust that curled onto his face broke any control, and I fell off him and onto the floor, clutching my sides with laughter.
"I don't think that's funny!" Any attempts to speak were squashed. If he didn't stop making those expressions, I was going to explode.
Five minutes later, having gotten over it, I joined the sulking form of my love on the couch.
"I think I understand why you didn't want to go to the hospital anymore," I say, flipping down the channels.
"Oh really? I thought you'd already said it was because I was embarassed by my face?"
"Well, that's part of the reason. I think the biggest part is, you didn't like the idea of *Bakura* seeing you face at anything but it's best. And we both know that fate takes its pleasure at having the two of you catch eachother only at your worst."
He didn't answer at first, mulling over my truthful words.
"...I'm not going to tell you whether or not. Just to prove that that BAKA has no effect whatsoever on my actions." Rolling my eyes and pressing play, I decided to let him live in his delusions. I know I had a few ones of my own I didn't want to be crushed anytime soon.
Relaxing into the couch, we began to watch the movie, and I felt the tension of the day melt away.
***************
I look at the various products, frowning in concentration at all the names.
Cover Girl.
Almay.
Maybeline.
Why did girls need so many different choices for something so small? I ponder this, opening some of the samples of foundation to see if I can find that wonderful tan color that only besuits my Yami. The others were coming over today, the first step of our plan to be set in motion. But the thing was Yami wasn't going to let Bakura see that he looked anything less than his normal standard of perfect, thus the make-up. Too bad I'm pretty sure he's not going to like this idea very much either.
Tough nuts for him though. I'm not gonna let some little Pharaoh's ego get in my way! I may have saved the world, but who cares about that?! Love is more important! So Yami's just gonna have to suck it up. Though something tells me he'll never stop it about me being a woman now...
Damn Egyptians. They sure know how to push your buttons, Bakura and I know for sure.
Giving up, I just toss the closest seven colors into the cart, along with the food I'd just purchased, and headed to the checkout counter. They were gonna be here in just a few hours. Unfortunately, something told me I was gonna need a lot more time to get this stuff on Yami.
Unless...
God, I am evil.
***************
"Oh, Yami? Could you come out here? I need some help bringing in the groceries..." I poke my head through the door, waiting for his reply.
"Be right there, Yugi!" He comes down the stairs and smiles, making my future actions even harder to do. Why'd I have to fall in love with such a wonderful man?
We walk to the car, and he leans into the trunk, reaching for the bag farthest to the back, just as I'd hoped.
"I'm sorry, Yami." Closing my eyes and withdrawing my hand, I use the move taught to me by Bakura 'in case of emergencies' and hit my target. Yami slumps unconcious, barely making a sound. Oh my god, what have I done?!
I'm such a horrible person, is the current state of mind as I drag, not carry (I'm not THAT strong) his body back into the house. Quickly depositing him on the floor, I bring in the last few bags and rush into the house. The sooner I got this over with the better.
Kneeling over him, I open the first case, and begin.
***************
Yami looked like a God when he slept. Resting my head in my hand, I brushed a hand through his golden bangs, sparkling in the afternoon sun. His tan skin shining without a single mar (thanks to my surprising talent with foundation) his lips parted ever so slightly while his usually cold eyes were softened by the resting eyelashes on his skin. The fact that he had the body of a frickin' Adonis didn't help either.
My hands in my lap once again, I checked the clock. Any time and then there'd be no turning back. I already knew the odds of this game. The chance for pain, for love, for losing all I'd gained... But staring at him, being able to be this close to him proved to me that he was worth it. That this was a cause worth fighting for.
The doorbell rang, and casting one more longing look at Yami, I headed to the door. I smiled at the faces of my friends, confidence radiating like the fucking sun.
Because I knew that even though the game of seduction was a pain in the ass, the success of love was what you got in the end.
And that's why I'm not going down without a fight.
***************
PHEW! Well, that's what you get when you mix a depressed author with a writing goal of a thousand words a day @_@ And then I miss a few days and have to write 3000 words. VOILA! This next chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it! I know I had fun writing it. And it's actually more than seven pages. I think it's about nine or ten.. Didn't really check @_@ ^.^ Please review and let me know! You don't HAVE to... but please do! ^.^ -Jack V Briefs
Disclaimer; I don't own it dammit! .!
***************
I'm loving every moment with you
I'm living in a dream that's comin' true
I'm lost in everthing you do
I love you
I Feel Too Much by Celine Dion
***************
"Yami, I'm home!" I close the door with my foot only moments before I collapse on the couch and let all four bags fall to the floor. Who knew clothes weighed so much?! Of course, the probably twelve pounds worth of little 'extra's' as Ryou liked to call them, didn't help the matter much.
I hear his padded footsteps down the stairs and looking up, there he is in all his glory. His collar was crooked, but there was one slim chance of me fixing it right now. Too hard to move, nonetheless adjust something that makes him look bad. Well, that's not true. There isn't really anything I think that could make Yami look bad. Just not in his genes.
His eyes flicked over to the bags and he rolled his eyes before jumping over the back of the couch onto the edge beside me in one fluid movement. How the hell does he do that? I can hardly walk without looking a little... drunk. Of course, he's had a little over 5,000 years to perfect it.
"I see that you've gone shopping." Yami begins to dig into one of the bags, but panic gave me the boost I needed to move and grab his hand to prevent him from seeing it's contents.
Unfortunetly, this stunt has cost me. For now, due to the fact that I jumped to get to his hand from my previous spot, I am now sprawled on his lap. Turning my head to look up at an amused pair of exotic eyes, heat rises to my cheeks. This hadn't been planned.
"Hello, Yugi." He gave a small laugh, one right from his chest and with my head where it was, I could hear the resonating from within. Oh god, kill me now! I cannot let my awkwardness show! Must be resolute and sturdy! Be the tree, Yugi! BE the TREE!
"Hello, Yami." My voice is casual, as though it is perfectly normal for me to be there. It felt normal, it felt RIGHT, but that's beside the point.
"Comfortable?" He released his hand, which I'd still been holding onto, making me roll completely on my back instead of my side looking over my shoulder. Crossing them, he raised an eyebrow at my silence. I smirked and stuck out my tongue.
"And just what if I am?" Let's hear him answer THAT one! Very rarely do I win word-plays with Yami, so I'm satisfied that I've shut him up.
"I'd have to question my sanity." What?! Okay, what the hell does that mean?!
I've decided *against* replying and sit up, grabbing three of the bags before heading to the stairs.
"Yugi, you've forgotten one!" I pause halfway up the stairs to look at him.
"It's dinner and some movies. I thought we could just hang out here tonight. You know, relax. That's what vacations are for!" Flashing a smile, I go to my room and close the door.
As I put the newest additions to my wardrobe in the closet, my mind wanders to what Yami had said earlier. 'I'd have to question my sanity...' What did he mean by that? He'd have to be insane to think that I would put my head in his lap and say I was comfortable? Wasn't that kinda... I dunno... stupid? And why, when he'd said that, his voice hadn't been mocking? If he'd only sounded like he was teasing, it wouldn't be bothering me like this. Did that mean he was... no. No it didn't.
I shake my head before setting the armbands in a drawer. Wishful thinking isn't going to do me any good. I can't start seeing things that aren't there. Then I'll just get confident and then I'll do something stupid. And then I'll lose him before I ever get the chance at something real between us.
The sun had disappeared from the sky, and my feet brought me to the open window. The sight of the street full of snow and moonlight was soothing for me. Glittering crystals sparkled as the cloudless night sky rained upon it and in the window.
A couple catches my eye. They're both fairly young, say mid-twenties, and I'm almost hypnotized as I watch them. He tells her something; she laughs and her hair falls in her face; they pause; lean in; kiss.
Looking up to the sky, I let my imagination run unrestricted and my hopes rise. The winter atmosphere had that affect on me. I see the visions flash before my eyes and I smile without notice.
Yami smiling down at me, his arms holding me close as I tell him something stupid about my day and he just laughs and tells me that nothing I say or do is stupid. That I'm perfect, and I say, 'Only to you,' before the distance between us is closed. Then he pulls away to whisper 'only *for* me' just as our lips meet once again...
I sigh, and look at my reflection. Then I notice a movement in the background.
"Yugi, are you alright?" Smiling softly, I nod and sigh.
"I'm fine, Yami-chan. Just thinking." He rests his hands on the windowsill beside me, gazing up at the moon and me, from the corner of his eye.
"About what, Aibou?" I laugh at the nickname, looking at the ground before standing upright and closing the window. Heading towards the stairs, I gesture for him to follow.
"It's nothing important."
***************
I can't believe it. I just can NOT believe it! I am in SHOCK staring at the still body of Yami sitting next to mine. Tell me it's not true...
Yami has fallen asleep halfway through the movie! Sleepless in Seattle! How can he fall asleep when the movie is such an obvious hint at romance! It's enough to drive a person mad!
My eyes soften as his head falls to the side facing me. Rolling my eyes, I stop the movie and being as careful as I can, lay him down on the couch and cover him with a spare blanket. He shifts, turning away from me and pulling the blanket closer to himself.
"Yugi..." I smile at the small utterance of my name. I wonder absently what he's thinking that involves me as I run a hand through his hair. Probably asking me where his socks were or something.
I go up to my room and set the alarm, my mind, as usual, preoccupied with thought's of a certain pharaoh. Settling into the covers, I answer the call of darkness and sleep.
**************
The shrill ringing in my ears is very annoying. Rolling over on the bed, I press the button and the sound ceases. For this day anyway. Looking at the digital screen, I glare. Why the hell did I set my alarm for eight in the morning?! I don't have school today! It's Sunday, for crying out loud! Last time I set the damn alarm with Yami on the brain.
Grumbling all the while, I throw off the sheets and head toward the bathroom, flinging clothes in my wake. I surprise myself by being so untidy. Of course, anyone who got up at 8 on a Sunday isn't like to give a crap.
Ah... Warm water feels nice. The water rains on my head and time flies by, ignored by me. Just as I am to put the conditioner in my hair, a knock on the door is barely registered over the water.
"Yami? Is that you?"
"Yeah."
"Come on in, it's open!" A minute or two pass before the door is finally slid open. Our curtain is dark green and you can't really see anything beyond a body outline, so I'm not worried. He steps in and with a click, the door closes behind him.
After hearing no sound, I glance in his direction to still see him standing there.
"You okay?"
"H-huh?"
"I said 'are you okay'?"
"Oh. Y..yeah, I'm fine." After he started to brush his teeth, I let the odd verbal behavior leave my mind and stand beneath the shower spray.
"Oh, this feels SO good..." At the perfect temperature, this is just what I need. Rinsing my hair till it seemed to be of a heavenly texture, I realized something. I'd forgotten a towel. And Yami was... right there.
"Uh, Yami?" I peek around the curtain, making sure that my face and face alone can be seen, and seek his eyes. Only the two lavender objects are distracted by his toothbrush. Or what used to be his toothbrush. There's only half of it left... Oh wait, there it is! By... his... foot. When did that happen?
"Yami-chan, are you okay?" He looks at me surprised, before dropping the tooth brush and spinning to face me completely. He coughed before crossing his arms.
"Yes, Yugi. What did you need?" I gave a dry laugh and glanced at the floor.
"I kinda forgot a towel, so do you think you could get one for me? There's some spare ones in the hall closet. Would you mind?"
"Not at all." A second later he returned, fluffy white towel in hand. I reached out and took it as fast as I could, trying to wipe off his odd look with a smile.
"Thanks." I stepped back behind the curtain and wrapped myself in it after turning off the shower. "Woulda been kinda embarassing for me to step out naked and have you standing there, eh?" More like a golden oppurtunity, but it's not like I was about to say *that* just yet. He didn't respond and I looked at his tense form after exiting the shower with questioning eyes.
"You okay, Yami?" He nodded, but I wasn't convinced. I stepped forward and put my hand on his forehead. At the contact, a phrase rang through my mind.
'You just have to know what to wear, what look to give...How to press their buttons with a simple touch.'
I felt something click in my mind, before I looked into his eyes and widened them just enough to look like the innocent virgin I was. Right. I let my hand slide down the side of his face and lay it to rest on his cheek. Following my thumb as it brushes along the length of it with my eyes, I pause and look up at him.
"Your cheeks are warm, Yami-chan. Do you not feel well?" The words were whispered which wasn't the most discreet thing I could do, but it had a pleasing effect. He took a step back and tugged a little at the collar of his shirt, swallowing hard. I took a step forward, trapping him against the door. Not with my body of course, but since he shuffled back once again, he had put himself in the position. Frowning, I sighed before giving him some space to move. The space seemed to make him relax, and after a second he walked out of the way and let me pass through the door.
"I'm fine, Yugi," he said to me once I made it out the door. I nodded, grinning.
"Okay, Yami. Just making sure." Changing into one of my new ensembles, this one of a fitting black turtleneck and cream pants to bring out my skin color and body shape, I secretly jumped around at my success.
The look on his face had been priceless when I'd done touched his cheek! If I could make him react to everything I do like *that*, he'll be mine in no time! Of course, I'd have to find a lot of plausible reasons to do so. Which, sadly, means that I'll have to wait till oppurtunity's make themselves known if I don't want to raise suspicion. Damn. All well. His responses are worth it.
They are *definately* worth it. And this was only the beginning, I was sure.
***************
To my disappointment, Yami seemed to have recovered from our little moment when I returned downstairs after getting ready for the day. He was folding the blanket I'd covered with him, composed as normal with a look of indifference on his face.
I decided to behave the same, and completed my path to the kitchen, setting up various items for breakfast just as I did everyday. He came in after awhile, and we ate in silence. I was trying to think. What could we do today? With the plan that Seto, Jou, Bakura, Ryou, and I had worked out, we weren't going to really do anything with us all until Friday.
"So, you wanna finish the movie," I question, putting one of the last dishes back into the cupboard. He nods without speaking and dries his hands. His silence was almost to the point of hurtful to me, but I kept my mouth shut, beginning to question whether that little stunt I'd pulled was as successful as I'd thought.
He wouldn't even look at me now. Was he already that disgusted with me and not willing to hurt me because of it? Hoping he was distracted, I tried to see what he was thinking. Nothing. His insides were just as passive as his expression.
I felt my mood drop.
"On second thought, I think I'm just gonna work on my homework." Forgetting about the dish in my hand, I walked passed him, but paused as a light weight was added to my shoulder. Had he seen through my lie?
Searching his eyes with my own, I made no move to hide my hurt at his somewhat cold attitude. It was only his normal one, but after hoping my odds had increased, this was a big blow. His features crease with concern.
I know his question before it leaves his mouth, and I don't know about you but I think we've been wondering about whether the other was 'okay' WAY too much. I searched my thoughts for a moment, trying to think of something I could say that would change the subject before it was brought up.
'You'd have to find out their interests, I guess. If they like reading poetry, for example, try and memorize a few rare-poems and reciting them. Only if it fit the conversation of course. Don't want to look stupid.'
Of course! I knew just where we could go that would pull Yami from his mood! Before the words can fall from my mouth, the slipperyness of my hands causes the dish to fall to the ground, breaking in half.
"Aw, dammit." Turning around and bending over (at the waist of course. Legally Blonde is law) I start to pick up the pieces. His feet are visible through my own, and sparing a glance, the utter stillness surprises me. It was just like in the bathroom when he'd... frozen...
Oh my god! Golden situation! I could only pray to Kami that my mother had blessed me with fluidity!
I bent down towards the pieces once again, but this time, I took my dear sweet time. A light brush across the top of the piece, groan in frustration, bend some more, grab at the edge for it only to escape my grasp once again.
"Damn! I just can't seem to... reach it!" My god, it sounds like such a bad hetero porn fic I'm ashamed of myself. After a quick check of Yami's mind, however, I'm prompted to continue. Whether or not the great former Pharaoh noticed or not, but his body was enjoying this. And so was I.
Making one final reach, I grabbed the two pieces in my hands. Now, to implement one final rule from Legally Blonde. The bend and snap. Taking one deep breath, I bring up my torso and flip back my hair and elbows.
The effect of my sexy tousled face is lost however, because turning only brings me to the sight of Yami doubled over, his nose in his hands. I don't even need to use our link to see he's in pain. What the hell had happened? The stinging sensation in my elbow made its way to my brain, and it all clicked.
I'd just phwacked the man of my dreams in the nose! WITH MY ELBOW!
"Oh, Jesus." The pieces drop again, but I don't care. I'm too busy covering my mouth and watching with wide eyes as a small drop of blood splashes on the tiling.
"Yami! Are you okay?" I try to lift him up to face me, but he backs away, flicking one crimson eye in my direction.
"Mm phine," he managed to mutter through the clamped hand. I narrowed my eyes getting the odd sense that Yami was hiding something other than his injury from me.
"Yami... Show me.... your face." Both eyes look at me this time, but he shakes his head, backward pace increasing. I simply follow, never dropping my gaze.
"Your really bad at backing away you know that," I taunt as he finds himself stuck between a corner and I for the second time that day.
"Please, Yugi, I'm fine, really. See?" Yami was underestimating his damage. Showing me a smile was kinda creepy with the blood coming between his fingers. Sighing, I grabbed his hands and removed them before he had a chance to stop me.
My eyebrows raised to my hairline. Yami's nose! His beautiful nose! It was a purple, bloody mess!
"Oh my god, Yami! We have to get you to a hospital!"
"NO!" His arms grab my waist and bring me down to the floor. In any other situation, this would've been the best moment of my life, but obviously, it wasn't.
"Why not?!" What is with him?! WHY doesn't he want to go when he so obviously needs some sort of.... nose fixer thing?!
"Because I... Isn't there something here at the house that you can use? Do we have to go outside?" My jaw drops.
"Your embarassed about your face, aren't you?! That's why you won't let me help you, isn't it?!" Grinning sheepishly, I'm giving my answer.
"Oh, for goodness sake's Yami! Your nose is mashed potatoes! You need help and I'm going to make you go!" Grabbing the neareset dish towel, I press it against the afflicted area. Not too hard, but just enough to let him know I would inflict even more serious injury if he didn't comply with my wishes. Slumping in defeat, he followed me out to the car.
"Now," I told him, managing to buckle his seatbelt while holding the towel to his face. "I want you to hold this to your nose until we get to the hospital. And no funny business like trying to jump out of the car or join with me or I'll....Rip up your LIBRARY CARD!"
Maybe that had been a bit too much, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
"Let's go."
***************
Twenty minutes later, I sat next to Yami's bed as a nurse applied a final layer of wrap and gauze to his nose. I held his hand, more for my comfort than his, watching every emotion that crossed his beautiful, well, mostly beautiful face and knowing I'd caused it.
Fear. Pain. Hurt. Frustration. All were caused by me trying to get into his pants! Why me?! I shoulda just stayed happy with our relationship and never tried to attempt something I'd seen in a movie! I mean, isn't that the biggest rule about movie watching? 'Don't try this at home?' Well now I really know why!
The nurse left the room, and Yami's eyes closed. Guilt weighing on me heavily, I gently touched the make-shift cast on his nose. His eyebrows twitched, but he didn't say anything. Letting the hand rest on his chest, I felt tears in my eyes.
"I'm so sorry, Yami. I... I ruined your face..." Dropping my gaze to the floor, I rose from my seat when a hand stopped me once more. Looking at my beloved, all feelings left me at the kind gaze in his eyes.
"Yugi, you didn't ruin my face. You just bruised up my nose is all. Come here." He patted the area beside him, and with great reluctance, I sat down.
"There, now that's wasn't too bad." Yami smiled at me, lifting my poor spirits for only a second until they were crushed by his wince.
"Oh, Yami, what are you talking about? I feel so horrible! Your nose was all bloody and bruised and it's all my fault!" A lone tear fell down my cheek, but it's path was broken by the gentle swipe of his hand.
"Yugi, *listen* to me. My nose is not my face. So just stop saying my face looks so bad! Then I'll have to start believing you! And you don't want me to hate my own face, do you?"
"No! No, not at all! I love your face! Uh, I mean..." SHIT! His laugh breaks the beginnings of my panic attack.
"Thanks for that vote of confidence. Now, as I was saying. Aibou, don't be so upset. Accident's happen." He shrugged and summoned another pure smile. I felt warm at just the sight of his content face, letting a small bit of guilt rise from the pool.
"It's partially my own fault, you know. I shouldn't have been leaning forward anyway..." Red begins to set on his face, and I tilt my head.
"Why were you leaning forward, Yami?" I didn't remember seeing/sensing any change in his position...
"I was going to help you pick up the pieces of the plate. Just to make sure you didn't accidentally cut yourself. Guess that plan kinda back-fired." I laughed, rolling my eyes at him.
"Yeah, that's what happens when you try to stop pain." The laughter in my voice suddenly dies, the situation replaced with something else, unbeknownst to the man at my side.
"It'll catch up with you in the end. Can't stop the inevitable." The lavender of my eyes darkens, but not for long. Shaking away the dark thoughts for later contemplation, I slide off the bed and gesture for him to follow.
"How about we go home and get another movie or two? I have to go grocery shopping, but we'll have enough to get us through the night. That sound good? It'll all be your choice. My treat." He can't resist the tone of my voice. Laughing at my antics, he follows and exits the room.
"Okay, Yugi. Sounds like a plan."
***************
"Do you want a pillow," I called down from upstairs, rummaging through a closet filled with spare anything. "Or another blanket? I've got plenty of em! I've got some sleeping bags, I've got a down blanket right here, if you want that..."
"Yugi, I'm fine! Stop worrying so much!" Yami tries to look at me from his lying body on the couch, but gives up as he soon finds it futile to achieve such a feat.
Not taking the risk of him suffering from anything else at my hands, I grab the blanket and an extra soft yet supportive pillow and head downstairs.
"I told you you didn't have to-"
"Don't worry about it, Yami." I smile softly, tucking the blanket behind his head and a little below his shoulders so his neck doesn't get a crink. "I still feel bad about earlier. I wanted to make it up to you..." It was only then that I realized I'd had to lean over him to prop the pillow.
Feeling the gentle warmth of his breath mingled with my own, my control buckled, all thought lost as I gazed into the eyes oh so close to my own. Blushing cutely, I slid back to a standing position and went to lighting the candles I'd found in the closet. Trying to save money for heating bills. Of course.... I want to... save money...
"Okay, now sit our butt down so we can start the movie! All your frettings starting to get to me, you old mother hen." Feigning offense, I put my hands on my hips and frown at him.
"Don't you use that tone with me young man, or it'll be bedtime for you!"
"You know," Yami began, ruby eyes mocking me as they stare at me from the other end of the couch. "You can imitate an old woman quite well. Is there something you aren't telling me Yugi?"
"Eh?" He lowered his face and glanced around, as though government agents were going to jump us at any moment.
"Did you... Used to be a woman?"
"Yami!" I pushed at his chest and leaned over him, glaring.
"I'll have you know that I am fully and completely, one hundred percent manflesh!" Sticking out my chest, he just rolls his eyes and crosses his arms behind his head.
"If YOUR 100% manflesh, that must make me, what, 1000%?"
"What?! Just because you have a nice body does NOT make you more of a man than me!" His eyebrow raised, joining his eyes in their mocking.
"You think I have a nice body?" God DAMN how does he keep doing this?! I could just wring the smirk right off his face! But I was not about to lose our wordplay! Not this time!
"Well, I DID, but now that your nose looks like it was brutally attacked by a yeti, you've gone to, I dunno, Bakura's level?" The utter disgust that curled onto his face broke any control, and I fell off him and onto the floor, clutching my sides with laughter.
"I don't think that's funny!" Any attempts to speak were squashed. If he didn't stop making those expressions, I was going to explode.
Five minutes later, having gotten over it, I joined the sulking form of my love on the couch.
"I think I understand why you didn't want to go to the hospital anymore," I say, flipping down the channels.
"Oh really? I thought you'd already said it was because I was embarassed by my face?"
"Well, that's part of the reason. I think the biggest part is, you didn't like the idea of *Bakura* seeing you face at anything but it's best. And we both know that fate takes its pleasure at having the two of you catch eachother only at your worst."
He didn't answer at first, mulling over my truthful words.
"...I'm not going to tell you whether or not. Just to prove that that BAKA has no effect whatsoever on my actions." Rolling my eyes and pressing play, I decided to let him live in his delusions. I know I had a few ones of my own I didn't want to be crushed anytime soon.
Relaxing into the couch, we began to watch the movie, and I felt the tension of the day melt away.
***************
I look at the various products, frowning in concentration at all the names.
Cover Girl.
Almay.
Maybeline.
Why did girls need so many different choices for something so small? I ponder this, opening some of the samples of foundation to see if I can find that wonderful tan color that only besuits my Yami. The others were coming over today, the first step of our plan to be set in motion. But the thing was Yami wasn't going to let Bakura see that he looked anything less than his normal standard of perfect, thus the make-up. Too bad I'm pretty sure he's not going to like this idea very much either.
Tough nuts for him though. I'm not gonna let some little Pharaoh's ego get in my way! I may have saved the world, but who cares about that?! Love is more important! So Yami's just gonna have to suck it up. Though something tells me he'll never stop it about me being a woman now...
Damn Egyptians. They sure know how to push your buttons, Bakura and I know for sure.
Giving up, I just toss the closest seven colors into the cart, along with the food I'd just purchased, and headed to the checkout counter. They were gonna be here in just a few hours. Unfortunately, something told me I was gonna need a lot more time to get this stuff on Yami.
Unless...
God, I am evil.
***************
"Oh, Yami? Could you come out here? I need some help bringing in the groceries..." I poke my head through the door, waiting for his reply.
"Be right there, Yugi!" He comes down the stairs and smiles, making my future actions even harder to do. Why'd I have to fall in love with such a wonderful man?
We walk to the car, and he leans into the trunk, reaching for the bag farthest to the back, just as I'd hoped.
"I'm sorry, Yami." Closing my eyes and withdrawing my hand, I use the move taught to me by Bakura 'in case of emergencies' and hit my target. Yami slumps unconcious, barely making a sound. Oh my god, what have I done?!
I'm such a horrible person, is the current state of mind as I drag, not carry (I'm not THAT strong) his body back into the house. Quickly depositing him on the floor, I bring in the last few bags and rush into the house. The sooner I got this over with the better.
Kneeling over him, I open the first case, and begin.
***************
Yami looked like a God when he slept. Resting my head in my hand, I brushed a hand through his golden bangs, sparkling in the afternoon sun. His tan skin shining without a single mar (thanks to my surprising talent with foundation) his lips parted ever so slightly while his usually cold eyes were softened by the resting eyelashes on his skin. The fact that he had the body of a frickin' Adonis didn't help either.
My hands in my lap once again, I checked the clock. Any time and then there'd be no turning back. I already knew the odds of this game. The chance for pain, for love, for losing all I'd gained... But staring at him, being able to be this close to him proved to me that he was worth it. That this was a cause worth fighting for.
The doorbell rang, and casting one more longing look at Yami, I headed to the door. I smiled at the faces of my friends, confidence radiating like the fucking sun.
Because I knew that even though the game of seduction was a pain in the ass, the success of love was what you got in the end.
And that's why I'm not going down without a fight.
***************
PHEW! Well, that's what you get when you mix a depressed author with a writing goal of a thousand words a day @_@ And then I miss a few days and have to write 3000 words. VOILA! This next chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it! I know I had fun writing it. And it's actually more than seven pages. I think it's about nine or ten.. Didn't really check @_@ ^.^ Please review and let me know! You don't HAVE to... but please do! ^.^ -Jack V Briefs