Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh.
(Two weeks later...)
Beep... Beep... Beep...
A low groan sounded from the bed, and a pale, slender hand slammed down on the snooze button, silencing the alarm clock that had been making the obnoxious noise. A slender teen rose groggily from his warm, comfortable spot on the bed and shook his head to rid himself of the dazed feeling that lingered around his consciousness.
Deep, iridescent indigo eyes opened slowly, and Yugi rubbed at them with a yawn, trying to rid them of the sleep accumulated during the night. Once semi-awake he padded across the floor, and exited his room, heading into his bathroom which was just next door. He ran some cold water from the sink and splashed it onto his face to wake himself up a little more. Grabbing a towel off the towel rack beside the sink, Yugi patted his face dry and hung the towel back up.
Yugi went back into his room and grabbed an outfit out of his dressers. The slender male changed clothes and then left his room, heading down the hallway and into his kitchen. Another day in paradise... he thought as he grabbed a box of cereal from the cupboard and poured himself a bowl. He sat at the table with his meal and ate in silence, staring out the window.
Yugi had moved here to get a fresh start, having left the apartment above the game shop that he shared with his grandfather. It was nice to finally be a nineteen year old out on his own. Yugi took a look around his apartment, smiling softly. He loved this place, even if it wasn't super nice or the most expensive place around. It was cozy, big enough for one (or two if he so chose), and just the right amount of rent.
Yugi's gaze returned to the backyard. He had a small backyard that was perfect for one person. It was fenced in to separate his from the neighbor who shared the apartment/house next door to his. Yugi had set up a hammock in between the two small trees out by the fence. A lawn-chair sat on the small patio, which was accessible through the sliding doors near where he was sitting. The house was a small two bedroom place with one bathroom and a spacious living room. The kitchen was nice and clean, and the stove and refrigerator were of old brands, but they ran like new. Just the hall past his bedroom and the full bathroom was a smaller room which served as his laundry room. The washer and dryer was a decent set.
In the living room was a small bookshelf which he used to house both his books and his movies. A television set sat on a wooden table, and an XBOX 360 rested in the cabinet below it. Against the far wall was a chair and desk which his computer lay on. He had one sofa and one recliner. All in all, his new home was very nice and he loved it. It just got lonely being by himself sometimes. This got him thinking of his grandfather, and he realized he missed having company for breakfast every morning. Yugi sighed and finished his cereal, then rose to his feet and dumped his bowl into the sink.
Speaking of his grandfather... Yugi glanced at the calendar hanging on the fridge and realized he was to arrive home later tonight. Yugi smiled to himself. He would go to the airport and pick him up later tonight, when his plane arrived. Yugi glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. Eight o' clock. It was time to head to work. Yugi helped his grandfather run a respected game shop known as the Kame Game Shop. Yugi loved games. Almost no one's love for games save Yugi's grandfather could surpass Yugi's love for games. It made working in his grandfather's shop an enjoyable experience everyday. And Solomon always let Yugi try out the new merchandise before anyone else.
Yugi exited his house, locking the door behind him. It was a warm spring day, and the sun was shining brilliantly. There was also a cool breeze that felt nice on Yugi's arms that were left bare thanks to his t-shirt. He pocketed his keys and hurried down his walkway. His car was parked in front of his house on the street.
It wasn't a big new, shiny sports-car, but that wasn't a concern. Yugi preferred regular cars that weren't flashy anyways. And this one fit him perfectly with its practicality. It was a small, four door, dark blue Ford Taurus SES. Just as he was about to unlock it, he heard someone call his name. He turned around, already knowing who it was that had called him just by the sound of her voice.
"Hey Yugi! Good morning!" His next door neighbor, Tea Gardener, waved cheerfully to him. She lived in a complete house next to the housing area Yugi lived in. He remembered she had moved there around the same time he had, perhaps a week or so after. A smile lit her face when he waved back to her. "Off to work?"
"Yes." Yugi replied. Tea approached him, taking off her yellow gardening gloves that matched the color of the shorts she was wearing. They made her pale legs seem even longer then usual, and a pink t-shirt covered her top half. "Working in the gardens today?"
"Yeah, I was just getting rid of some weeds that popped up along my daisies and tulips. Nasty little things. They like to kill the flowers." Tea brushed a strand of her brown hair behind her ear.
"Do you use weed killers?" Yugi asked. Tea shook her head.
"I don't like using those; they sometimes kill the plants. It's harder work, but I prefer to weed by hand." She replied. Yugi smiled.
"It can be a little neater." Yugi told her. "I wish you luck with that. I've really got to be getting to work, or I'll be late." Tea's eyes widened and she waved at his car.
"I'm sorry! Go on; I wouldn't want to make you late. Have a good day Yugi." Tea smiled brightly at him and turned, jogging back to her flowerbeds. Yugi watched her for a moment before he unlocked his car and got in. He sighed as he started the car. Tea really was a nice girl, and she was super friendly. She came by just to say hi everyday before he left for work, and he liked her. She was homey and sweet, someone who would make a nice girlfriend and eventually a wife. She was the kind of girl he envisioned with three kids and a husband with a steady job.
It took him twenty minutes to arrive at work. Once in front of the game shop Yugi parked his car, the engine dying with a rumble. He locked it behind him, and hurried to the front door of the shop. The shop wasn't huge, but it wasn't very tiny either. It was a decent size, with another floor above it which was the apartment area. The walls on the outside were a bright yellow, and the roofing was green. Not exactly beautiful or flattering colors, but Solomon liked things bright and cheery. Yugi unlocked the door and slipped inside, hearing the familiar chime of the shop bell go off above his head as he strode to the counter. Yugi then began the normal routine of opening up shop. Afterwards, he flipped the closed sign to open and took his place behind the counter.
The morning was a slow one, and Yugi sighed, leaning against the counter and placing his head in his hand. It was boring when there were no customers. Yugi pulled a magazine out of a drawer in the counter and opened it, starting to read. It was the latest video game magazine, and Yugi amused himself by browsing the game reviews and seeing what hot new games were coming out.
The shop bell dinged around noon, and Yugi looked up, a smile spreading across his face as a familiar blond stepped through the door.
"Hey Yugi! Morning!" It was Joey Wheeler, Yugi's best friend.
"Hi Joey. What are you doing here?" Joey grinned at his question and held up some bags he was carrying at his side.
"I got selected for food delivery today, and I decided to take a detour and see how you was doin'." Joey answered. Yugi gazed at his friend while he spoke, looking at his work uniform. Joey was wearing a cap that had his restaurant's logo on it, and an apron that said the same. Underneath those simple things, Joey was wearing a red t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans.
"So the job goes well?" Yugi inquired with a smile.
"Yeah! I really like this one. Good hours, good enough pay... I'm enjoyin' it." Joey told him.
"I'm glad. Say, Joey, my grandfather is coming back from Egypt tonight. I'm going to the airport to pick him up, and I thought I'd take him back to my place and cook dinner. Would you like to come?" Joey's eyes lit up at Yugi's offer.
"I sure would! What are you making?" Joey's mouth was practically watering at the thought of having one of his friend's home cooked meals. Yugi was actually a pretty good cook, and he could make a pretty neat meal out of anything he could find lying around. Yugi chuckled at Joey's expression, his indigo eyes shining with merriment. It was always nice to cook for someone other then himself.
"I'm making Sashimi. I've got the rice, fish, wasabi, some leftover vegetables, and some eggs. Sound good?" Yugi giggled when Joey's mouth actually began to water and the blond had to wipe away some drool that ran down his chin.
"Sounds excellent! I'm gonna eat well tonight!" Joey grinned and patted his stomach. "Thanks Yugi!"
"No problem. Well, I have to clock in. Come by here when I get off and I'll take you back to my place. We can play Resident Evil 5 or Left for Dead until it's time to pick Grandpa up." Yugi told him. Joey laughed and nodded, clearly excited about the plan.
"Sounds awesome! Okay, see you later tonight then Yugi." Joey saluted him and walked back out of the shop, the chime once more sounding. Yugi couldn't keep the grin off his face as he returned to the magazine in his hand. He'd read it five times now, but it didn't bother him any. Yugi felt extremely happy now; his grandpa was coming home, and he had a fun afternoon planned with his best friend.
The chime sounded one more time, and Yugi looked up into the face of a smiling customer.
"Good afternoon, and welcome to the Kame Game Shop! How can I help you today?"
"Shit! That Boomer just puked all over me!" Joey groaned in annoyance. Yugi frantically pressed the fire button on his controller, trying to take out as many rabid zombies as he could. Joey waited for his screen to clear before helping. "Damn Boomers. Always bringing the fucking hoard." Joey grumbled. Yugi laughed and led the group on the screen into the safe-house where they had a brief reprieve.
"At least we haven't run into a tank or a witch yet." Yugi teased.
"Oh I hate those things!" Joey tapped his fire button and took out some random zombie, but of course that brought another flock to which he and Yugi had to fight off. Yugi's character was in dire need of healing then, so Joey watched his back while Yugi used his health pack. After a while Yugi glanced at the clock on the wall and saw it was time to head to the airport.
"Joey, we have to quit. It's time to go get Grandpa." Yugi chuckled when Joey let out a good natured groan.
"We were this close to the hospital." Joey protested.
"Yeah, that's how things always go." Yugi shut down the XBOX while Joey stood and stretched his limbs. Yugi joined him a moment later and stretched as well. Three hours of playing video games sure made a person stiff. Yugi grabbed his car keys off the coffee table and ushered Joey towards the front door. They exited the house, and while Yugi was locking the front door, he heard someone call his name. Yugi heard Joey then give a low whistle of appreciation, and he blushed, knowing who it was Joey was looking at.
"You didn't tell me you had such a hot neighbor Yugi." Joey whispered. Yugi straightened with a strained smile and looked over to where Tea was waving at him. She jogged over, and Yugi noted she had changed clothes. She was wearing a pair of jean capris and a black tank top. There was also a blue barrette in her hair. She smiled brightly at him as she stopped in front of him.
"Hi Yugi! Did you have a good day at work?" Tea asked.
"Yeah, work was good. I sold some games, and we're due to have a new shipment in soon." Yugi replied.
"That does sound like a good day." Tea told him as she wrung her hands together in front of herself. "Where are you going, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Oh, to pick up my Grandfather from the airport. He's coming back from Egypt today." Yugi answered. Joey was now loudly clearing his throat beside him, and Yugi jumped at the sound before smiling at Tea and motioning to Joey. "And this is my best friend, Joey Wheeler. Joey, this is my neighbor Tea Gardener."
"It's nice to meet you." Tea said politely with a bow. Joey grinned and bowed a little in return.
"Pleasure's mine." Joey told her. Tea giggled a little.
"I'll be going then Yugi. See you later!" Tea gave him a small wave before turning and walking back to her own place, leaving the two boys to continue on down the walkway to Yugi's car. Joey kept his eyes on Tea until the brunette vanished inside her house. He turned back to Yugi and grinned as they climbed into his car.
"She likes you." Joey told him bluntly. Yugi sputtered and started the car, his face flaming.
"She does not. She's only being friendly." Yugi protested, hitting the gas and driving off.
"Overly friendly if you ask me. Does she always come say hi when you appear outside your house?" Joey asked, arching a brow.
"Well... Yeah, but only if I happen to catch her outside her house." Yugi answered.
"I still say she likes you." Joey chuckled.
"And I'd say you were crazy." Yugi retorted.
The spiky haired youth changed the subject then, and they chatted aimlessly about random things until they got to the airport. Yugi checked his watch as they entered the building, and he saw that they were right on time. His grandpa would be arriving any time now. He found a seat and the two boys plopped down to wait. He and Joey sat in silence for a while, watching people walk by briskly. Some were calm, checking their watches and gazing at their tickets, dragging their luggage behind them. Others were running through the airport, intent on catching their plane before it was too late. Occasionally a mother would walk by with a crying child, or a child with a lollipop crammed into their mouth.
"Man, we've been waitin' here for forty minutes. Where's Gramps?" Joey muttered. Yugi sighed and gazed at his own watch.
"Sometimes the planes come in late, especially from Cairo. Grandpa could have been delayed." Yugi responded. Joey slumped in his seat.
"Delayed? Delayed could take hours." Joey protested.
"I'm sure we'll hear from him if something happens." Yugi told him, though he was beginning to worry as well. His grandpa's plane should have landed already. Suddenly an announcement sounded over the P.A. system, letting everyone know that flight 546 from Cairo, Egypt had landed and that passengers were now disembarking. Yugi leapt up with a happy shout and glanced down at Joey, grinning. "Told you he'd be here soon!" Joey whooped and jumped up as well.
"Let's go get him then!" The two boys took off, hurrying down to the gate where Solomon would be exiting. They got there just in time. Passengers were filing out of the gate, looking for loved ones or hurrying to get their luggage. Yugi let out a cry of delight and grabbed Joey's arm, pointing as he saw his grandfather come out with his carry-on bag in his hand. Joey grinned and let himself be dragged closer.
"Grandpa!" Solomon turned his head to see his grandson happily waving to him. Solomon grinned and headed towards them.
"Yugi!" Solomon called, holding open his arms.
"Grandpa! I'm so happy to see you!" Yugi jumped into his grandfather's arms, hugging him as tightly as he dared. "Did you have a good time?" Solomon chuckled as they broke apart, and he hoisted his bag onto his shoulder.
"I had a wonderful time. Hello Joey." Solomon replied, giving both both a warm smile.
"Hey Gramps. I missed you too." Joey told him.
"I made dinner already Grandpa. It's sitting in the fridge, and I can warm it up when we get back." Yugi led the group away so they could retrieve Solomon's bags.
"Oh? Sounds good to me. I could use a good home cooked meal." Solomon winked, causing Yugi to laugh. They got Solomon's bags and headed out of the airport back to Yugi's car.
The sun had set, and it was dark outside. The stars twinkled above them. Yugi led the way back to his car, grateful he had the next two days off. Joey and his grandpa could stay the night tonight, and tomorrow he would take them both home. They loaded Solomon's things into Yugi's car, and before long they were on their way back to Yugi's place.
Yugi shut the car off after parking in front of his walkway, the engine dying with a rumble. "Let us get your bags Grandpa." Yugi said as they exited the vehicle. Joey went for the trunk as Yugi led Solomon up the walk to his house. He unlocked the door and allowed his grandfather entry, then turned back and went back to his car to help Joey with the bags.
Joey and Yugi entered the house, and Yugi directed them to the second bedroom which he used as a guest bedroom. They placed Solomon's bags there, and Yugi headed back to the kitchen to start warming up dinner. He knew both Solomon and Joey had to be starving. Joey pitched in by setting the table while Yugi warmed the food.
"Ah, that smells delicious Yugi." Solomon commented as he walked into the kitchen to join them.
"Sure does!" Joey piped up, grinning. Yugi smiled and set the food down on the table.
"Here guys. Dig in!" Each male helped themselves to a generous portion. Solomon and Joey thanked Yugi for the meal and they began to eat. After dinner, Solomon wanted to collect the dishes, but Yugi wouldn't hear of it. "I got it Grandpa." He told the older man kindly, and he gathered everyone's plates and set them in the sink. Thanks to Joey's appetite, there were no leftovers to put away.
"Ah, I'm full. Thank you Yugi." Solomon smiled.
"You're welcome Grandpa. It's late; would you like to get some rest? I'll get a pillow and blanket from the closet." Yugi offered. Solomon nodded.
"Sleep would be nice." Solomon agreed. Yugi glanced at Joey.
"Joey, are you alright with the couch? I could always let you use my bed." Yugi inquired. Joey shook his head.
"I'm good with the couch. Just hand me a pillow and blanket, and I'll be good." The blond grinned. Yugi nodded and headed back down the hallway to get the required items. He passed them to his grandfather as the old man had followed him down the hall to the guest room. "Goodnight Grandpa. Promise to tell me all about your trip tomorrow?" Yugi smiled. Solomon chuckled and took the offered items.
"Of course. Goodnight Yugi." Solomon vanished into the guest room and shut the door. Yugi went back down the hall to the living room and handed Joey a pillow and blanket as well. Joey snuggled up on the couch with them and smiled sleepily at his friend.
"Night Yugi."
"Night Joey."
