A/N: Welcome to chapter 7!
This chapter decided to be a real bitch on me. Took me forever to get it done, but in the end I had to watch out to not go over my 4500 words mark... Anyway! In this chapter you're finally going to see Yami's reaction to his discovery. Lots of fighting in this one. Plus, we're getting close to solving one problem. Curious? Go read!
Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!. I do own the plot to this story.
Enjoy! And reviews are and will always be much appreciated! Oh, and to guest reviewer Breana, I know you've sent me several reviews asking me whether there would be a chapter 7. Sadly, I can't reply to guest reviews, so that's why I didn't say anything. I must say though, if you'd read the A/N at the end of the previous chapter you would have known there would be a next chapter. This story is far from done so there will be plenty of chapters after this one. I hope you'll keep on enjoying this story.
Chapter 7: Betrayal
It took a while for Yami to register what he was seeing. His father, lying in bed with another man, and this man being Yugi, who was so much younger than the other was, and who had earned Yami's trust. The possibility that this was just an innocent encounter never reached Yami's senses, and even if it had he would have discarded it immediately. There were enough other rooms in which Yugi could have slept if he had decided to stay over. Plus, both men were in a rather compromising position, with Atem holding Yugi's body close to himself.
Yami, with his eyes wide in shock, pointed a shaky finger at both offending males. "Y…y…y-yo." He stuttered, unable to form his thoughts into words.
"Yami I ca-" Atem started to say, but was interrupted by his son.
"You!" Yami yelled angrily at both, though his anger was more directed towards Atem than Yugi at the moment. "How…how could you?! Grandma and grandpa were right, you didn't care about mother! You're nothing but a fucking paedophile!"
"Stop right there Yami!" Atem yelled back, but Yami continued.
"And you!" He said while pointing towards Yugi who was trying to hide behind Atem. "You lied to me! You said you were just a friend of my father, but you're his…his…" But Yami didn't even know how to call it.
Atem started to stand up, clutching the sheets to him to conceal his lower body, but couldn't go too far because that would leave Yugi uncovered. "Do not go there Yami." He said more threateningly now, and since Yami couldn't find the right words anymore he could continue. "I can understand that you're shocked about this, but I will not allow you to accuse me of being a paedophile or Yugi of being a whore. We are both adult men who love each other. That's all this is."
"But what about my mother!" Yami shot back. "How can you claim to have loved her if you love another man now? And how can you claim to love someone who is much younger than you are? That's just so wrong!"
Atem ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "Love is love Yami. I loved your mother when I was with her, and I continued to love her after she'd left me, but that doesn't mean that I can't find love again, and I found it in Yugi. That he's a man I don't deny, just like I can't deny he's eighteen years younger than me, but I also don't care. I love him, and love transcends issues like age and gender."
Atem's reasoning fell on deaf ears however. Yami was seething with rage. Just when he'd decided to give his father a chance he turns around and takes that trust away. Yugi and his father were friends, Yugi had said so. And when Yami was surprised about their age difference he learned they were mere friends through their business relationship. He had never let on that their feelings might actually run much deeper than that. A stepmother he could have handled, but a stepfather, who was moreover only five years older than him, and whose band was managed by his lover? No, it was too much for Yami to handle. He felt so betrayed. He should never have allowed himself to trust either of them. They lured him into their trap; led him into a false sense of security, but no more. He turned around and stormed back to his room, locking the door behind him and shutting the world out once again. Atem called after his son, extending a pleading hand as if to pull him back, but Yami didn't listen.
"Well it seems like you've done it again." Yugi said from behind his lover, though Atem did not miss the pissed undertone in his voice. Atem slowly turned around and looked pleadingly at his lover, but Yugi wasn't swayed this time. "Don't give me that look Atem. I told you it was a bad idea for me to talk your son into talking to you because of our involvement with each other. I told you it wasn't a good idea for us to be together last night. I told you all that, but you didn't listen. You never listen when you're out to satisfy your own selfish needs!" Yugi's temper only rose as he spilled his own feelings to his shocked lover. "Now look where this has gotten you. Your only son, who only just started to trust you, has reverted back to how he was, but this time he won't be so easily swayed into giving you another chance. Plus I'm pissed at you Atem. Pissed for being pushed around and not being listened to! Do you know how that feels? Well I'll tell you. It feels like the only thing I'm good for is getting you out of trouble and satisfying you in bed!"
Yugi started to pick up his clothes and getting dressed. Atem was stunned into silence. He'd never seen Yugi get this angry. Sure, he got annoyed at times, but Atem always managed to make him forgive him. But he knew this time was different. Ironically, Tea had said something along the same lines the day she had decided to leave him. Indeed, it looked like he had done it again. Again his own impulsive nature had pushed away the one he loved. Atem regained some of his senses when Yugi was done and went to walk away.
"Yugi please!" Atem pleaded, causing Yugi to stop in the the doorway, his back towards Atem.
"No Atem." He said resolutely without turning around. His calm, but firm voice was a clear indication he wasn't going to be swayed this time. "This time I'm going to do what I feel like I should do. I want you to think about what I've said; about what you've done. I don't want to see you unless it's for business. If you truly love me and care for you son, then you need to prove it. Fix things with your son first before running back to me." And with those words he walked away, down the hall, down the stairs and out of the door.
When he heard the front door close Atem sank to his knees and broke down into tears. Everything had been going so well since Yugi had arrived yesterday, but now both he and his son were mad at him. Yugi's harsh words tore at his heart. Of course he loved him and of course he cared for his son. How could Yugi ever think otherwise? Atem didn't understand how Yugi could think he was only good for getting him out of trouble and satisfying him in bed. He wasn't that selfish, was he? Memories of his time together with his beautiful nightingale flashed through his mind. He was happy in most of them. In the others he was either annoyed or seeking Atem out for comfort. How could Atem be in the wrong if he made his lover happy?
And then there was Yami. He had finally started to open up to him, but the discovery of his relationship with Yugi had apparently given him a harsh blow. Atem could understand that his son was shocked, but since he didn't think anything was wrong about him being with Yugi he felt that his son had exaggerated. Hopefully he would quickly come over his initial shock and not revert to his not responding self again. Yugi was probably right about one thing. If Yami didn't come over this shock then all hope of ever reconnecting with him might be lost.
The more Atem thought about it, the more he realized that he had been an impatient fool. Perhaps he should have listened to his young lover and let him go home. Perhaps he should have let Yami get used to him before risking his son finding out about him and Yugi. Perhaps this particular event could have been prevented if Atem had restrained himself for a while longer. The thoughts didn't stop his heart breaking sobs. If anything, the realization only caused a new flow of tears to emerge.
In the meanwhile, Yami was in his room, taking deep breaths to try and calm himself down. He felt betrayed, but slowly his father's words reached his rational mind. Though Yami was appalled by finding his father in bed with Yugi he couldn't deny that his father was right. The accusation of him being a paedophile was uncalled for, just like he couldn't think of Yugi as a whore. That's why he couldn't say it before, even though he had thought it and his father had picked up on his implication. But that didn't change the fact that his father was in a relationship with someone who was way too young for him. Or rather, Yami felt, Yugi was in a relationship with someone who was way too old for him. In essence it's the same thought, but the latter seemed to hold more true for Yami. Why was that? Was it because Yugi continued to stand up for him, even though he was in a sense on Atem's side?
Yami had heard the exchange of words between his father and Yugi, so he knew Yugi had told his father off and wanted him to fix things with Yami first. It was just like the first time he'd met him yesterday, when Yugi had told Atem to go away so he could handle it. And now he heard his father crying his heart out. He could feel the anguish in those sobs and didn't feel any satisfaction over it. He might have at first, but he knew how his father probably felt. After all, he had had an emotional breakdown just yesterday. Despite the fact he still felt that the relationship between Yugi and his father was inappropriate, he couldn't help but feel he should go out there to comfort his father.
Yami slowly opened his door again and peeked around the corner. His father's bedroom door was slightly ajar, but he couldn't see him. He then slowly walked over to the room, took a deep breath and pushed the door open. His father was where he had been before, still clutching the sheets to his body. Yami bit his lip, not sure of what to say. Atem had noticed the door open however, and looked up. Yami could see the hurt in his eyes, along with a longing. Even if Yami had been as angry as he had been only minutes before, his father's look would have melted most away. How could he be angry at a broken man?
"Yami…" Atem whispered pleadingly, fervently hoping that his son hadn't come back to fight some more.
Yami shook his head and didn't meet his father's eyes when he spoke. "I'm sorry father. I said some things I shouldn't have. I was just shocked to see you two like that." The apology brought a small smile to Atem's lips, but before he could say anything Yami continued, his tone a bit more forceful. "This doesn't mean that I approve of it, because I don't. I still think it's wrong on so many levels that it makes me want to go back to my room and not talk to you again. But I know what it brought me last time, and I now realize that it's not going to help anyone, least of all me." Yami turned around to face the doorway. "I'm going to get some breakfast."
Yami left the room to do so before Atem could interrupt him. In the end he was actually quite pleased with how that went. He had made his father feel slightly better while making sure that he knew this didn't mean things were all right. They still had a long way to go before it came to that. His goal had been achieved, because Atem pulled himself together. He slowly got back up and wiped away his tears. The fact that his son had come to him so soon without arguing had brought some hope back and it made him smile. Just a moment ago he had feared that he would have lost any chance of making things right with his son again. This would have endangered his relationship with Yugi as a consequence, since Atem knew he had been dead serious when he said he wanted his lover to make up with his son first before coming back to him. The quicker he got to talk with Yami, the sooner he could get Yugi back.
Atem went downstairs after taking a quick shower and getting dressed. Although his eyes were still a bit red from his crying he seemed to be somewhat back to normal. Yami was sitting at the kitchen table, eating a few sandwiches while washing them down with a mug of milk. He hadn't made any for his father. Most of all because he didn't know what his father liked for breakfast, but also as a silent reminder that their issues hadn't been resolved yet. He still didn't look at his father as he entered the kitchen in feigned ignorance. Atem gave his son a questioning look for the absence of breakfast, but didn't comment on it when he saw his son's manner made it pointedly obvious that he had to do it himself. So he took a couple of bread slices and spread them while heating up some water for coffee. Once done he sat down opposite of his son and started eating.
Both men ate in silence. Yami once again didn't look at his father, but this time Atem didn't feel comfortable watching his son either. The silence made the air was tense, though it felt different than from before. Back then, like when they had their first dinner together, Yami ignored his father to the point where he nearly didn't even acknowledge his presence, while Atem had wanted and tried so hard to be seen by his son. A normal conversation had been out of the question then. This time both men didn't look at one another, but it wasn't because they was purposely ignoring each other. On the contrary, the subject that was on both men's minds was open for discussion if either of them could only find the words to start the actual conversation. Even though Yami had clearly stated that he didn't approve of his father's relationship with Yugi, he was prepared to discuss it. If only to get rid of all the lies. At the same time though. Yami's earlier statement made Atem unsure of whether Yami actually was prepared to talk about it, and he didn't want a repeat of what had happened during that one faithful dinner.
It was eventually Yami who decided to break the silence. "Father, how can you love him?" He said softly.
"I just do Yami. I loved him from the first moment I laid my eyes on him." Atem smiled at the memory.
"I still don't understand how you can claim you loved mother once and be with a man now."
"It's like I said before Yami. Love is love, and it transcends things like gender." Atem looked thoughtful for a moment before he continued. "You're not against homosexuality, are you?"
Yami shook his head vigorously. "No!" He exclaimed before continuing on a softer tone. "I'm not. I'll have you know that I used to have a friend back home who is gay and it didn't matter to me at all when he told me. But I also know because of him that you can't just choose to be gay. You either are homosexual or you aren't. So that still doesn't explain how you can claim to love a woman once and a man later."
Atem shook his head slowly in disagreement. "I see I have a different view on love than you have son. To me love isn't about whether the other is male or female. It isn't about being gay or straight. It is about what you feel for the individual." He paused again to think about how to explain it further. "You know, maybe I should just tell you how I met Yugi." Yami nodded and Atem continued with a smile. "I first met him when he personally handed over a demo for their band. He was so determined and quite demanding at the time. I could tell right away that he would do anything to make it in the business. And then, when I listened to their demo, I heard his beautiful voice and just felt myself swoon. I knew I had found the perfect band for my company to manage. I wanted to get to know more about Yugi, so I decided to manage the band personally so I could stay in close contact with them. Over time my crush only grew, until I realized that I was head over heels with him. He's so beautiful and he works so hard for his band that it's impossible not to at least like him. Love is blind, so it didn't matter to me that he was a guy. I just knew that I wanted him to be with me."
Yami thought about what his father said for a moment. He still thought it was weird, but he could actually understand where his father was coming from. Besides, didn't many people claim they were bisexual? Taking the best of both worlds? He had always felt that these people were potentially just experimenting now that homosexuality was becoming more tolerated in many societies. Like they were confused about what they wanted, and needed to find out by dating people of different sexes. He had never held on tightly to that thought though, since he didn't know anyone who claimed to be bisexual. In this case, despite his inner thoughts, he had listened to his mother and didn't outwardly judge these people. Perhaps he had finally met someone who was, and his thoughts turned out to be wrong. On the other hand, his father didn't seem to look at gender at all, but more towards the abstract term called love. He decided to rest this matter for now, and continue to the matter that actually weighed more heavily on his mind.
"I guess I can cope with him being a guy while you were with mom once." He admitted, making his father give a pleased nod before he continued. "But he's eighteen years younger than you are. How do you justify that?"
"Well, again all I can say is that love is blind, and transcends issues like that." Atem sighed. "And it's not like we have to worry about us wanting to have children or stuff like that. We make things work out and we're happy, so does it matter that he's twenty-two while I'm forty?"
Yami lowered his gaze, still not feeling comfortable with the thought. "It just feels so wrong. Imagine me coming home with someone who's double my age. Would you allow it?"
Atem thought about it for a while. "When you put like that I have to admit that I would be shocked over you dating someone that old. But I wouldn't stand in your way of that person makes you happy."
Yami nodded solemnly, mulling over his father's words. "Though I find it hard to believe you, I guess I'll take your word for it for now."
Though Yami didn't seem to want to discuss it further, Atem wasn't yet satisfied. "Why is it so hard for you to accept it Yami?" He asked calmly, hoping his question wouldn't draw out his son's anger.
Yami looked back up into his father's eyes with a wroth expression. "Why wouldn't it be so hard to accept that your father is sleeping with someone young enough to be his son?" He said, his tone making it clear that he was upset by such a stupid question. "You are both in a different stage of life. You are a successful businessman who has been married and has a seventeen-year-old son. You've already established yourself in life, while he is a young musician who, despite being in a famous band, still has so much to learn in life with things to do and places to see. He shouldn't even be thinking about settling down with someone yet. What's worse you're his manager! I'm surprised this hasn't been all over the news!"
Atem calmly leaned forward and locked his gaze with that of his son. "I'm not forcing Yugi into anything son. If he didn't want this then he would have said so. This isn't some one-sided affair even if the circumstances aren't ideal. As for the news, I'll admit that I sometimes have to go out of my way to make sure things remain hushed up. It's for Yugi's sake more than for my own, since he doesn't want trouble for either of us or his band." His gaze intensified for a moment. "Now that we're on the subject I expect you to do the same. If not for me then for Yugi."
Yami looked back into his father's piercing gaze, along with the tone of voice he'd just used he knew that this wasn't a request but a demand. He couldn't help but nod and promise to keep his father's relationship with Yugi a secret, even if he still wasn't convinced that it was acceptable. Atem smiled at that and took this opportunity to look at the clock, which told him he had to leave to go to his office now before he was too late, effectively ending the conversation with his son. Although Yami had much to think about and was still upset with his father, he didn't go back on his promise to go with his father to his office. They quickly cleaned the dishes used during their breakfast and went on their way.
They talked little on their way to Atem's office, and they both avoided the subject from before. Atem felt like he said what he needed to say even if Yami wasn't convinced yet. Pressing the matter further wasn't going to help them unless Yami started the subject himself. Yami was glad for the reprieve. He needed some time to let it all sink in before he could accept it, if he ever would. When they arrived Atem proudly showed his son around the building, introducing him to many people and telling him what they did. Now that his father was turning back into his overenthusiastic self Yami started to feel uncomfortable. This excursion was meant for Yami to get to know more about his father so they could slowly start reconnecting, but it felt like his father wanted everyone to think they were the perfect father and son. They may have been on speaking terms, but his father was going a little bit too fast. In Atem's defence, this wasn't his intention. He was genuinely happy to be able to show his son what he did, and didn't realize that he was inadvertently suffocating him.
Eventually they reached Atem's office and duty called for the cheerful manager. Yami had hoped his father's work would give himself some breathing space, but Atem was adamant in involving his son in his work, leaving him no such opportunity. Most of Atem's current work involved finding a new drummer for List no Drakana. Atem managed to get a hold on one of the promising candidates for the position, who could come over for an interview and a show of skill right away. Atem was pleased, which made him almost unbearable for Yami to handle. He couldn't help but wish that something would go wrong so his father's mood would drop. Just enough to get him off Yami's shoulders.
The applicant came in half an hour after Atem had called him, and the interview went quite well. Even now Atem involved his son in the procedure, asking for his opinion and even urging him to ask questions as well. Yami didn't want his father to look bad in front of a potential client, so he obliged, albeit reluctantly. The pressure to just run away from the office to get some fresh air was nearly killing him. He finally managed to get away from his father for a while when he took the applicant to the music rooms in the basement for his show of skill, by claiming he didn't know enough about actual drumming to be of much help. This was actually a blatant lie, but Yami needed to get away from his father for a while.
Yami silently snuck into one of the other music rooms and walked over to the drum kit. His fingers lightly caressed the different parts, marvelling at its quality. He had yet to admit to his father that he actually had been taken drumming lessons ever since he was young. He hadn't played since his mother had died, even though he knew playing the drums was a better remedy to channel his emotions than a nice breath of fresh air was. He needed it so badly, and now he finally had the opportunity. He sat down, took the sticks and started playing. It was a rough and fast rhythm mirroring his raging emotions.
The applicant Atem judged played fairly well, but he hadn't blown his mind away. He was capable of holding a rhythm, but had the tendency to hesitate when changing between different rhythms. He was quickly able to recover the lapse each and every time, and when playing along with others it probably wouldn't be noticed, but if he could he would try to find someone who could play more stable. When he led the the applicant back to the door he heard someone play the drums in another room. His attention was immediately drawn to it. An untrained ear might think that the player was just banging the drums at random, but Atem could hear the subtle rhythm behind it, fluently changing from one to the next. His eyes grew wide in surprise when he opened the door and saw his own son drumming. He had no idea his son could play the drums, and he even played them with such skill. An idea formed in the back of his mind and he smirked. He had just found a new drummer for List no Drakana.
A/N: So...first Yami got pissed, then Yugi got pissed, and Atem had an emotional breakdown... Am I cruel or what? XD Now it seems like Yami didn't revert to his 'I'm not talking to you' state. He's even tolerating his father's happy-go-lucky attitude. And now Atem is planning to make his son List no Drakana's new drummer.
Will Yami accept the position? Will Yugi and Atem make up now that Atem and Yami have 'made up'? How will everybody respond to the idea of Yami joining the band? Stay tuned for the next chapter of Torn between two loves. :D Yugi will come back in the next chapter!
