The dreary alarm sounded loud and clear at exactly 6am, waking up little Yugi from his romantic dream. He groaned in annoyance at the light of another day, but decided that it was rather essential to get up anyways.

The boy yawned sleepily and made his way to the bathroom to start up a shower. Nothing said "good morning" like scorching hot water dancing on your skin.

After 15 minutes he jumped out and started dressing himself. His mind was rather vacant and numb, as far as he could tell, and he longed for some warmth and hope. He pulled out his phone and began scrolling through his pictures to find the one.

He smiled shyly at the sight of Yami being surrounded by his friends.

"Good morning, Yami."

"Good morning, Aibou."

"AAAAHHHHHH!" Yugi screamed in surprise. He quickly turned around and nearly fell over at the sight of his beloved Yami leaning against the door all handsome like.

"YUUUUUGGGGGIIII ARE YOU PLAYING VIDEO GAMES AGAIN?!" Grandpa hollered from downstairs.

Yami chuckled in amusement at the matter.

"Uhhh….NO GRANDPA!" Yugi shouted back nervously.

"OKAY, COME DOWN AND SEE YOUR GRANDPA!"

"I'LL BE THERE IN A SECOND."

Yugi was shivering at the sight of his soul mate. He knew that Yami said he would be able to reappear, but he wasn't really expecting it.

"Yugi…um, are you going to put a shirt on?" Yami gestured to the boy.

The teen turned back towards the mirror and noticed that he hadn't actually finished dressing by the time Yami had joined him.

"Umm…uhh…well…"

Yami snickered at his cute little Aibou. There was nothing that made him happier than being reunited with his true love. For soon they would be reunited permanently, and he would make sure of that.

The Pharaoh took a few steps closer to the boy.

"It's not that I don't like seeing you shirtless," he started. "Trust me, I do." Yami's heart fluttered at the sight of Yugi's face blushing. "But you're shivering like crazy. You need to dress warm." He handed him his shirt and a jacket to go on top.

"You're—you're here…"

"Of course I am, did you think I was—"

Yugi dropped the clothes that Yami handed to him and embraced his other in a tender loving hug. Tears of joy streamed down his face.

"I didn't think you would actually come!" He admitted.

Yami's eyes widened at the sound of the truth.

I had to, Yami thought in regret. It had to happen. This all has to happen.

"I would do anything for you, Yugi." Atem stepped back from the hug and cupped the boys chin in his hands. "I'd beat death to be with you again."

Because you have to, Atem. You have no choice.

Yugi frowned anxiously at the sight of sudden distress passing over Yami's face.

"Are you okay, my other?" Yugi stammered.

Yami quivered at the sound of the angelic voice.

"I'm fine, Aibou," he faked a smile. "How could anything be wrong with you by my side?"

A grin pranced onto the cherub's little face, causing him to collapse into the arms of the Pharaoh once more.

"YUUUGGGIIII ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE BREAKFAST TODAY?"

Yami laughed sincerely at the sound of Grandpa's voice.

"He's very persistent, that Grandfather of yours."

"Yeah," the boy agreed dismissively. "I just hope he's not upset at me for yesterday."

A wave of guilt washed over the Pharaoh, followed by a sigh.

"Why don't you go check it out? I bet he'll be happy to see you."

"Thanks Yami!" Yugi sang, running towards the door.

Don't thank me just yet, Aibou.

"Aibou, are you forgetting something?"

Yugi swung around to see Yami smirking with the boy's shirt and jacket in his hand.

"Oh…my clothes."

"Let me help you."

Yugi sauntered towards him in embarrassment, allowing the Pharaoh to carefully slide his shirt on for him. The boy trembled at the touch.

"Are you alright?" Yami questioned in worry.

"Yeah, it's just…you're warm. Your touch…it was very hot on my ice cold skin."

"Well, they do say hell is a pit of fire."

"YAMI!"

"I'm joking, Aibou. Now run along, go see your Grandpa."

Hope glimmered in the boy's amethyst eyes.

"Can I tell him you're here?"

"No!" Atem quickly refuted. "I'm-I'm sorry, my light. I promise to explain more on your walk to school."

"But what about Tea? She walks to school with me…"

"Be safe, Aibou."

Yami walked passed him and exited the room, shutting the door behind him. Yugi scratched his head in confusion.

"Yami?"

He ran towards the exit and looked down the halls quickly.

"He's gone," he muttered to himself.

"YUGIII YOU'RE BREAKFAST IS GETTING COLD!"

Yugi ran down the stairs slightly amused by his grandpa. He grinned at the sight of him at the kitchen table reading the paper with a mug of coffee.

"Finally, I thought I was never going to see you."

The teen giggled.

"Good morning, Grandpa."

"Good morning, Yugi," Solomon smiled. "Sleep well?"

"It was one of the best night's sleep of my life," he admitted.

Solomon's lips perked up happily at the sound of that.

"I'm glad you're alright, Yugi."

"Me too," he sighed in relief. "Everything is going to be okay, I've decided."

"Glad to hear it my boy! Now eat up, it's almost time for you to go."

Yugi swallowed a couple of eggs and a few pieces of crisp bacon, washing it all down with a small glass of orange juice and a cup of sweet coffee on the side. Breakfast was one of his favorite meals of the day. It was one of those times where he could just soak up the thought of a fresh schedule ahead of him and more memories to be made. It warmed him up. Life was good. It was all because of Yami. Yeah, it was.

Twenty minutes passed; the teen had joined his Grandpa in the shop as he waited for Tea to swing by.

"Yugi, you're going to be late if you don't leave soon."

The boy's legs swung anxiously from his seat on the counter. He couldn't stop looking at the door and wondering where his friend was. She had tried to call him a few times last night, maybe she was trying to warn him that she wouldn't be stopping by.

"I guess you're right," he mumbled. "I wonder why Tea hasn't come. Do you think she's alright?"

"I hope so," Grandpa grumbled as he leaned under the counter to pull up a few boxes of locked merchandise. "Maybe she's late or had an appointment this morning. You did mention she tried to call you."

"Yeah," Yugi beamed. "It's no biggie. I'll see you later, Grandpa!"

"Come home early to help me with the shop!"

"Of course!" Yugi dismissed as he ran out the door. He tightened the straps on his backpack and soldiered on to school.

"I knew everything would be okay between you and your Grandpa."

Yugi snapped his head to see Yami walking besides him.

"Yami!"

"You look surprised to see me, I told you I would come."

Warmth caressed the boy's heart. It was like nothing had changed between them. He was so relieved that Yami had found his way back to him. He couldn't think of a better gift in the world.

"I…I guess I'm just trying to get used to the fact that you're back. I couldn't be any happier, honestly."

A few pedestrians glared at Yugi as he continued to talk to himself. Yugi caught the stares and raised his eyebrows suspiciously, glancing back at Yami for explanation.

"They can't see me, Yugi. Just like they couldn't before. The difference, however, is I can't read your thoughts anymore. So, if you do wish to speak to me and don't want to be looked at differently, perhaps we should walk in silence."

"No way!" Yugi denied. "I know some back roads we can take."

The King of Games led his other down an empty back alley that would eventually lead to another.

"See? We're fine."

Yami snickered at his light's determination.

"Yami?"

"Yes, Aibou?"

Yugi looked up to study his love. Damn, what a gorgeous man! How he wished that one day he could physically be with him. He had never considered himself gay, but after living and growing with a living angel, it was hard not to fall in love with them too.

"You look hot in grey," he thought while checking him out. Atem had this grey denim jacket tossed on top of his famous black tank-top. He quickly licked his lips at the sight of the Pharaoh's chest popping out of it.

"Excuse me?"

Yugi slapped his hands over his mouth in embarrassment, striking Yami to laugh at the matter.

"Did I say that out loud?"

"My assumptions were correct," Atem chuckled. "That's not what you originally planned to tell me, was it?"

"Oh my Ra I am so sorry." The boy bowed his head to hide his blush. Fuck, he cussed inwardly. The touch of the Pharaoh's hand on his shoulder caused him to look up.

"It's alright, Aibou. I'm flattered, really," he assured in his warm, seductively deep voice. The gleam of his crimson's eyes nearly burned right into Yugi's soul, making him blush more so.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be, little one."

A few minutes of awkward silence built up between the two of them. The two of them were flirting a lot recently, something that wasn't so exposed before Yami had left for the afterlife. Yugi wasn't sure how to go about it all.

"Yugi, what were you going to tell me?"

They crossed into another alley together.

"Oh, I was just going to say that I was kind of worried this morning."

"About what, Aibou?" Yami responded protectively.

"Well, Tea didn't swing by like she usually does. I just hope she's okay."

Yami turned his head away and glared at the street in front of him.

"I'm sure she's fine," he muttered jealously.

He didn't fool Yugi for one minute.

"Everything okay, Yami?" He questioned while making eye contact.

"Yes, Aibou. I'm just, well, like I said last night. Keep your distance from her, she could cause some problems down the road," he warned.

"I wonder how," Yugi mumbled to himself. "But I suppose you're right. I'll be on my watch."

Atem sighed in relief.

"But since she's not here, can you tell me more about why no one is allowed to know that you're back?"

The Pharaoh cleared his throat. He was trying to avoid the conversation for some time, but he couldn't make an excuse of running out of dream time anymore. Besides, he found himself quite prepared with a fool proof answer.

"Yes. You see, Yugi. I went through a lot to find my way back to you. Originally I refused to return, because I wanted you to forget about me."

"So I could move on," Yugi filled in. "Yes, I remember."

"But when I saw you in so much pain…it was as if I was carrying it with me. I just couldn't bear to see you so hurt. Therefore, I came back to see you."

"Uh huh."

"I came back for you," Atem emphasized. "I didn't come back because I missed hanging out with your friends. I didn't come back so I could start a life on this earth."

"You didn't even come back for Duel Monsters?" Yugi joked.

Atem chuckled at the thought.

"Not even Duel Monsters, Yugi. I came back for you. But you must understand, I still don't belong here. In the afterlife for ancient royalty, there are a few tests one must go through before their soul is officially and permanently separated from earth."

Yugi listened with perked ears.

"As I persevered through my tests, cries of despair tugged at me from the direction of earth. It was very difficult for me to precede because of hearing your weeps. For how could I leave behind my loved one whom so desperately called out to me?"

Instantly Yugi felt guilt wash over him. He was responsible for Yami not being able to find peace. What a selfish boy.

"When I finally finished my trials, I stood in front of the gates of where I belonged. A guardian had read out my rights and the rules of what was to happen were I to accept. Basically they were along the lines of once I accepted my new home, there was no possible way I could return to my old one. No exceptions."

"You declined…" Yugi pouted.

"I had to."

"So where are you now?" His amethyst eyes growing wider by the second.

"I'm…I'm stuck," he revealed heavily.

Yugi's heart sank, making him felt absolutely terrible.

"How dare you!" He spat.

Yami, worried by his light's fierce words, raised an eyebrow nervously.

"Aibou?"

Yugi stopped in his tracks, facing the Pharaoh confidently.

"How dare you trade your chance of peace for me! Stuck? Stuck? You mean, stuck like when you were trapped in the puzzle for 5,000 years? Yami…you deserve rest. I won the duel for you to be free of your exhaustion, not so you could be stuck.

"Aibou…I did it because…because I love you," Atem stuttered.

Not quite.

"I love you too, damn it! That's why you should have left.

"You suffered over 5000 years waiting for me. I deserve to suffer too."

"Don't say that," Atem refuted.

He stomped his foot and began crying. "I can't believe how selfish I am! I ruined you! I fucking ruined you!"

Atem reached out to grab him.

"Don't swear, my light. Angels don't swear."

He grasped his love tightly, never wanting to let go.

"I'm here, Aibou. I'm here," he assured sweetly into his light's ear.

"You shouldn't be," Yugi admitted, turning around to face him. "How will you ever get home?" he sniffled.

"I-I don't know."

But Yami did know. He knew it all. He knew every single detail of what was to happen.

And that's what hurt him the most.