Hey guys…long time no see. I may have missed my own deadline…twice…but only because this thing turned out much longer than I thought. On the bright side, that means the second part of this will be ready next Friday. I'm really trying to be more efficent, though! Another comission for this chapter is in the works, so check out the link in my profile the next days. And now have fun!


Yugi hurried out of his bedroom, his eyes on the floor. After a few steps he bumped into a servant. The young woman with folded bedsheets in her hands bowed.

"Good morning, my lord", she said and smiled.

"G-Good morning", Yugi said and rushed past her.

'Holy crap! This is the worst! She's going to see the stains from last night! I can't believe someone will remove my… Oh, why did I have to do it last night?', Yugi thought and hit his head.

It had been easy in his time: He would get up early, throw his bedsheets into the washing machine and just nod when his mother asked if he had spilled his orange juice again. But removing the stains without modern detergent had turned out to be harder and he had failed.

'Try not to think about it! They're Atem's servants too and as such they have to be discreet. They wouldn't have risen that high if they gossiped about such things. Whatever they'll think they won't let it show! Calm down. Now it's time for breakfast with Layla, Rashad and…Atem!', he thought and stopped.

He had been so occupied with the stains he had forgotten that he'd have to face Atem too. How was he supposed to look him in the eyes after all the dirty thoughts of last night? What if his attractiveness threw him off again? What if he noticed?

The dining room was at the end of the hallway and he could hear Atem's voice from inside. He wanted to run away and hide in the gardens, the stables or any dark corner where Atem wouldn't see him. But a young man holding Taia on a leash, a girl with Amerys in her arms and Atem stepped out of the room before he could disappear.

"Don't give me those eyes. You can eat with us when you learned to get along", Atem said to his pets. Amerys meowed and Taia whimpered. "I am not going to let you take the room apart again. You know you messed up, both of you."

The servants took Amerys and Taia away and they gave Yugi sad looks when they passed him.

"Good morning, partner", Atem said and Yugi startled.

"Morning", he mumbled.

"Why are you standing there? You can come in. The worst is cleaned up", Atem said and smirked.

Yugi hesitated but couldn't think of a plausible excuse and followed Atem inside. The table was prepared with painted plates and bowls of bread, cheese, berries and yoghurt with honey. Vases with blooming flowers were placed between the food and some empty plates. Four chairs were standing around the table. Except for some petals on the floor Yugi saw no trace of the chaos Amerys and Taia had caused.

Atem opened the wooden double doors to the balcony and let light and a cool breeze inside. He sighed.

"As much as I love these two they're driving me crazy. Amerys is jealous of Taia and hisses and scratches her. Taia doesn't understand that Amerys isn't one of her toys and keeps trying to play with him, no matter how often I forbid it. I don't know why my father ever complained about me. Compared to them I was easy to raise. Well, most of the time", he said.

"Hmm", Yugi said and scratched his arm.

"Everything okay?", Atem asked and turned around.

"Yeah. Sure", Yugi said.

"You don't seem okay. About last night-"

"What about last night? There's nothing to say about last night! It was an ordinary night! Lots of sleeping! Nothing else!", Yugi said jumping back.

"Uhm…okay. I meant the banquet, actually. Weren't you about to tell me why you behaved like you did at the ride?", Atem said.

"Oh…ehm…that…", Yugi said and scratched his head. He couldn't tell Atem the truth after what he had done with him in mind. He'd stutter and sweat and let his secret slip out. Atem would think him a pervert! He's be creeped out! Disgusted! Yugi couldn't let him know! Especially not how much he had enjoyed it and wanted to do it again! He swallowed and said: "It was nothing."

Atem raised his eyebrows.

"Nothing?", he asked.

"Nothing!", Yugi said and forced his quivering lips into a smile.

"Somehow I don't believe that", Atem said.

"Well, it wasn't nothing; it was just…ehm…", Yugi said and shifted his weight from one leg to the other. "The weather! Made me feel a little dizzy, is all!"

Atem tilted his head.

"And you couldn't tell me that last night because…?"

"Uhm…because…", Yugi said and looked at the breakfast table. "Oh look, we have strawberries! Do you want strawberries? I know you love strawberries!"

He hurried towards the food and took one of the bowls. When he turned around Atem was standing right before him. A picture of him and Atem popped into his mind, how they threw the food and flowers to the floor and how Yugi lay down on the table while Atem leaned over him and…

Atem took the bowl out of Yugi's hand. He twitched when Atem's warm palm touched him.

"You're hiding something from me", he said and placed the bowl on the table.

"I never would!", Yugi said and moved to the side.

Atem approached him but Yugi backed away. With every step Atem took towards him Yugi took one back.

"Partner, you're a bad liar", Atem said.

"I'm no liar at all!"

"Then why did you let me back you into a corner?", Atem asked.

Yugi was about to turn his head but his back bumped against the cold stone wall. Atem stretched out his arms and placed his hands on the wall on either side of Yugi's head. His body tensed up.

'I can't say it! You're so sexy I masturbated to you last night. It's too embarrassing! He can't know!', Yugi thought but as he looked at Atem's piercing eyes and remembered his soft lips and his limber tongue his mind wandered. 'You're so handsome, so…hot. Why can't you take me here and now against the wall…? Wait, did I just really think that?!'

Only now Yugi noticed that he had slightly pulled up the skirt of his tunic. He forced his stiff fingers to let go, even though a part of him wanted to pull it all the way up. He screwed up his eyes and his cheeks glowed. He felt Atem's breath on his neck as he whispered:

"Tell me your secret, partner."

Something inside him wanted to obey, wanted to please him and tell him all about his dirty feelings and fantasies. Yugi bit his tongue and gulped.

But then he heard steps, voices and laughter and one moment later Rashad and Layla entered the room, their arms linked. Yugi ducked, moved to the side and walked towards the two.

"Hey, good morning, guys!", Yugi said and waved a tense hand.

"Good morning", both said.

Atem stepped beside Yugi and opened his mouth but Rashad spoke first.

"Hey, where's Tai-Tai? I thought she'd be with us whenever possible."

Atem turned to Rashad instead.

"She caused some trouble, so I sent her away. Amerys too", he said.

"Oh, don't be so strict. I bet she just wanted to play and your cat didn't get it", Rashad said.

"I love them both equally and I will not favour one of them. You didn't change one bit, Rashad. You still overlook her bad behaviour instead of showing her the consequences", Atem said but Rashad rolled his eyes.

"Urgh, you're such a stick-in-the-mud. No wonder Tai-Tai likes me better", Rashad said.

"She likes your treats. And stop giving those to her all the time. It's unhealthy", Atem said.

Yugi sighed in relief when they continued their discussion. Layla approached Yugi and rubbed her forehead.

"Somehow I feel like it's going to be the same when Rashad and I have children", she said and Yugi chuckled.

His nervousness faded away now that Atem was busy with Rashad and Layla beside him. Now the subject he dreaded couldn't come up. Yet a part of him wondered how it would have played out if the two hadn't entered the room…

"I'm hungry. Why don't we eat already while they argue?", Yugi said.

Layla gave her sweet chuckle and said: "Good idea."


As days turned into weeks Yugi avoided being alone with Atem for fear that he might question him again about his behaviour. Most of the time that wasn't hard. At the meals, on trips and all kinds of festivities Layla and Rashad were with them as well. When Atem didn't have to attend to his duties as the Pharaoh he spent time with Rashad and Taia. A part of Yugi was relieved and also happy about how much Atem laughed and smiled whenever he was with his best friend. But at the same time he missed how the two of them used to play and talk every evening.

His attraction to Atem grew in spite of how little time they spent together. Whenever Yugi caught himself staring at Atem and daydreaming about kinky things they could do together he pinched himself. Soon his arms had several, small bruises and even though they were supposed to make him feel ashamed he found himself wishing it had been Atem who had caused them by grabbing his arms while Yugi bent over and…

Alone in his bed at night not even pinching himself could distract Yugi from his feelings. They overwhelmed him again and again and even though he felt guilty afterwards he enjoyed nothing more than imagining how Atem touched and kissed him everywhere.

He had done it four nights in a row. He was lying in his bed on his belly and had propped himself up on his elbows. His fingertips tapped the mattress while he stared at the the moon rose oil on the stool next to his bed. The small oil lamp beside the vial was flickering. Outside the crickets were chirping and frogs were croaking.

'I shouldn't', Yugi thought but as he looked at the moon rose oil he pictured him and Atem in a bath tub with lots of foam…how he moved it away to discover Atem's well-built body…how the water was dripping of his caramel coloured skin…how Yugi bent forward and let his lips and tongue glide over the tight peaks on his chest…how Atem leaned back his head and sighed…how he whispered: "This is good, partner…go on…"

'I shouldn't', Yugi thought again but his hand stretched out for the moon rose oil. He longed for the smell of their promise, of the night when all his fantasies would come true. 'I shouldn't…but I have to…'

His hand had almost reached the vial when he felt something soft touching his arm. It was Amerys who's head nudged Yugi's shoulder. He shot upright and crossed his arms.

"I wasn't about to do it!", Yugi said. "You have no proof! I can smell on the moon rose oil whenever I want!"

Amerys lay down on one of the pillows and stretched out. Yugi grabbed the one next to Amerys, wrapped his arms around it and crossed his legs. He tried to suppress the tingle below his hips and gave a whimper. Amerys' big, yellow eyes stared at him and he tilted his head.

"Y-You know what? You're a cat! You don't understand how attractive he is! If you would you wouldn't give me that reproachful look!", Yugi said.

Amerys yawned.

Yugi bit his fist. The tingle didn't go away. He could just take Amerys and throw him out of the room. No one would be watching him and he could give in to his fantasies. But Amerys rolled over the pillow and meowed, which was his way of saying: "Let's cuddle!"

Yugi's hand ran over his fluffy fur and Amerys closed his eyes.

"No…I can't punish you for my…dirtiness", he said. "Look, I don't know what's wrong with me either. I've never felt all this that intense…but I've never liked someone as much as I like him… I'd die if he ever found out! I should stop doing it…maybe then I can look him in the eyes again."

Amerys purred and heaved a deep sigh.

"You know what? I'll take a walk to distract myself", Yugi said, got up and opened his wardrobe. He pulled a wine red tunic with gold-coloured embroidery of lotus flowers over his underwear and donned a belt, some bangles and a necklace with a ruby. "See? It will look as if I didn't get ready for bed in the first place. If someone asks I'll just say I couldn't sleep. It's not even a lie." He slipped into his leather sandals and tied them. "A nice walk through the gardens. The air will clear my head. I'm not going to think about Atem. And I'm surely not going to picture us doing it in the flower beds or…behind the bushes or…on a bench – anyway!" He petted Amerys' head. "I'll come back without any dirty thoughts, you'll see. And tomorrow I won't have a reason to feel ashamed in front of him. Thanks for you help!"

Amerys gave him a confused look.

Yugi blew out the oil lamp and left the room. The corridors were empty and dark except for a few torches. On his way to the grand staircase he passed his east wing and heard Atem's faint voice.

'So he's not in bed yet either?', he thought and stopped. 'Maybe…he's thinking about me too? No, that's stupid! But he surely does have a wonderful voice…' His feet acted on their own and sneaked into the east wing. 'I won't even look…I just want to hear his voice a little…and it will not give me dirty thoughts about what he could whisper into my ear while he… Oh, just a moment and then I'll go outside and distract myself…'

The door to the room Atem was in stood ajar. A lamp threw a beam of light through the gap into the corridor. Yugi leaned his head against the cool wall, ready to enjoy Atem's deep voice. But contrary to his expectations it was no pointless small talk he heard.

"This doesn't make any sense", Atem said. "The heathens have always been nomads. When they came to our towns it was only to replenish their supplies. Why are they now deciding to stay in Karnak?"

"We don't know for sure", Seto said. "But it has something to do with their new leader. He convinced them that they deserve a permanent place to live in as well."

"But why our towns? They have always roamed the east of the land. Why not build their homes there?", Atem asked.

"That's far away from the Nile and the ground there isn't fertile. They're sick of eating insects and dirt. So they came to take from us", Seto said.

"They have always spread violence, even when they stayed for only a few weeks. And now they want to settle down? It's only a matter of time until it escalates…and only Ra knows how much death and destruction that will mean", Atem said.

They remained silent. Yugi heard the soft burble of a liquid being poured into a cup.

"No one in Karnak bears love for the heathens. Dozens of commoners have come to the palace in the last weeks. They plead their Pharaoh to protect them and drive the heathens out. But they're too many, too aggressive and well-armed. We'd risk a blood bath if we act rashly", Seto said.

"Yet something has to be done", Atem mumbled.

Suddenly Yugi felt a hand on his shoulder and startled. It was Mahad.

"You…you scared me", Yugi whispered.

"Forgive me, my lord. But that subject is strictly confidential, even though you and the Pharaoh are very close", Mahad said.

"Atem…the Pharaoh told me about the problem before if that's what you mean", Yugi said. "But you're right. I shouldn't be here. Good night."

Yugi left the east wing and his legs carried him through the corridors and down the grand staircase into the main hall. He sat down on the lowest step and his hand ran over the newel post and its painted, elaborate carving of hieroglyphs.

By now he loved Egypt almost as much as his home. In spite of the meanness of many nobles he had considered it a harmonious place. The harvests had been lush for many years and no one had to go hungry. When he had been to Karnak he had hardly seen any poor people and he had been treated kindly. He couldn't imagine the same streets where he had seen so many smiling faces being covered in blood.

Maybe Seto exaggerated and the heathens weren't as hostile as he claimed. But then he remembered the incident on the day of Rashad and Layla's arrival. A fight over a few coins had resulted in destruction, rape and death. Was that all the future held for Karnak? More violence and tragedy? Was a "blood bath" really inevitable?

'I wanted distraction…but not like this', Yugi thought and looked up at the window holes. The white curtains around them gently flapped in the wind and the moon shone dimly.

Suddenly he heard a laugh, steps and whispers from one of the corridors.

"Ehm…hello?", Yugi said.

Layla's head appeared from around the corner. She placed a finger on her lips.

"Shh! Come here, Yugi!", she whispered.

He stood up and followed her request. Layla grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the dark corridor. Two men were with her. One was tall and wore a stubbly beard while the other had a short braid and a lip piercing. Yugi was sure he had seen them before.

"I'm so glad it's you", Layla whispered. "Yugi, these are my brothers. Navid is one year older…" She pointed at the bearded one and then at the one with the braid. "And Sameer is two years younger than me."

"Nice meeting you", Navid said and smacked his shoulder. "Or you meeting us. We saw you at the Pharaoh's side all the time but we never had a chance to talk."

"Right. That's why you look familiar", Yugi said.

"A little quieter, guys. We don't want to get caught", Sameer said.

"Get caught doing what exactly?", Yugi whispered.

"We're sneaking out", Layla said. "I'm sick of those stiff and boring banquets every night. I want to have fun. And so do my brothers."

"But won't everyone recognise an Arabian princess?", Yugi asked.

"I don't think so", Layla said, stepped back and spun around. Her dress was white with green-blueish embroidery and a scarf was wrapped around her hips. She wore golden rings, bracelets, earrings, a belt and a thick necklace with turquoises adorned to them. Her hair was arranged in many small braids and decorated with some pearls. "Don't we look Egyptian? I doubt we will stand out."

Her brothers wore white tunics and golden jewellery as well and Yugi had to admit that they would look like any other Egyptians in a crowd.

"What about Rashad? That sounds like something he'd enjoy too", Yugi said.

"He surely would but he went to bed a few hours ago. He took another ride with Atem and overexerted himself", Layla said. "But now that you mention it…it'd be a shame if the fourth seat in the litter remained empty…"

"That's a great idea!", Sameer said and pushed Layla aside. "You always beat her at Rising Sun, right? You have to show us how you do that!"

Navid came closer and pushed Layla even further away.

"That'd be amazing! We haven't beaten her since we were kids. I'd love to see her throw a fit again, like back then!", he said grinning. "It'll be fun, Yugi! Come with us!"

"Uhm…", Yugi said and scratched his head.

Layla pulled her brothers' ears.

"First of all, you'll never beat me because you're not even half as clever as Yugi", she said and shoved them aside. "Second: Stop pestering him. It's an offer, not a command. So what do you say, Yugi? Would you like to join us?"

"I'm not sure. What exactly do you want to do?", he asked.

"Find a nice bar or tavern, drink, dance, maybe gamble a little…", Layla said.

Yugi hesitated. He'd never went out for a night or been to a club. He hadn't even really drunk alcohol until the night he had confessed his feelings to Atem. He didn't know anything about this kind of stuff and it made him feel insecure. Then again, he knew he was inexperienced for his age and this was a chance to make up for it. Besides, if he stayed he'd worry all night about the conversation he had overheard.

"Well, it does sound nice", Yugi said.

"It will be more than that", Layla said. "Rashad and Atem have all their wild stories but you and I don't have any together. Time to change that, don't you think?"

Layla was right. He was no longer a child. He had chosen to leave his modern life behind for a new start; had drunk alcohol; he now had a boyfriend who he desired more than anyone; he would even sleep with him soon. He was growing up. And finding out what it was like to party all night was another part of it.

"I do think so", Yugi said and gave a smile that Layla returned.


Outside the palace four muscular men and a litter waited for them. Navid paid them after they had arrived in Karnak. The town was surprisingly bright for such a late hour. Numerous fire plates illuminated the streets. Many drunk people passed them, laughing and slurring dirty songs while cheerful music sounded from all the different bars and clubs. A man bought an entire basket of flowers from an old woman and gave it to his girlfriend who smothered him with kisses afterwards. They strolled over the place, towards the docks and stopped at an acrobat who could juggle five balls with her feet, a man who sang a sad song about his ex-wife and a woman who danced and spat fire.

"Wow! I didn't know it was this amazing at night!", Yugi said and clapped his hands when the woman finished her dance by doing the splits.

"It really is! Now, Yugi, you've been here longer than us. Do you know a fun place?", Layla asked.

"Uhm…I don't but Mana told me something about 'the blue crocodile', I think", he said and looked around. "I suppose it's the big house over there."

They approached a club that had a big, blue crocodile painted around the double doors. Two doormen eyed them but let them pass without a word. When they entered they found a big hall with a bar, a dance floor, numerous tables and chairs and a big crowd of people. The air was warm and stuffy. The sound of many voices was mixed with music and laughter. Waiters and waitresses wormed their way through the guests around pillars twined with ivy and past walls that showed big mosaics of blue crocodiles and sailing boats. Musicians played drums, flutes, lutes and tambourines while pretty belly dancers moved to the songs. At the other end of the hall an archway lead into something that looked like a garden.

"Good choice, Yugi", Sameer said when one of the waitresses smiled at him as she passed. "Let's have some drinks."

He turned to his older brother.

"Don't look at me. I spent my last gold pieces on the litter. You owe me, by the way", Navid said.

"Ehm…Yugi?", Sameer asked.

"Sorry", he said and coughed. "I got nothing."

"Don't worry, I got this!", Layla said and pulled Yugi with her through the hall. She craned her neck but didn't seem to find what she was looking for. They went upstairs into a big room that was quieter than the main hall. People were drinking and playing games at numerous, small tables. Many of them were sailors who gambled away the few coins they had. A crowd had gathered in the middle of the room and Yugi and Layla pushed their way through until they could see what was going on.

A grey-haired man was playing against a woman with jet-black skin in an charcoal, tight dress. The right side of her head was shaved while her black, wavy hair reached her shoulder on the left side. Her eyes were framed by thick kohl lines and her lids were painted with green, turquoise and blue while her lips shimmered in a dark shade of purple. She wore heavy earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings in bronze and silver with jades, moonstones and lapis lazulis. She moved the pieces on the game board with her long fingernails that glittered in midnight blue. She leaned back and put her tattooed arms around the white girls next to her on the padded bench; one blond, the other red-haired and freckled. She kissed both while her opponent pondered over his move.

He lost the game within two more turns and tore his hair.

"This is impossible! You can't always win! You cheated! I know it, Mamba!", he said and wanted to grab his pouch of money from the table but it was impaled by a dagger before he could reach it. The blade belonged to a man with filthy, black hair and beard and silver piercings through his lips, eyebrows, nose and ears.

"You better believe it. Now get lost, you old fart", he said.

The old man whimpered and stumbled through the crowd. Yugi felt sorry for him.

The pierced man removed his dagger and threw the money into a metal crate behind the bench.

"I never cheat. They're amateurs, is all", Mamba said and caressed the lips of the red-haired girl. "And Rezar, stop ruining the furniture. I'm sick of paying for the damage you cause wherever we go."

The man twisted his face and turned to the crowd.

"Who wants to play Mamba next?", he asked.

A corpulent, middle-aged woman sat down on the chair across from Mamba. She betted the keys to her shop and Mamba accepted. They played Scarab Hunt; a board game with game pieces in the shape of scarabs. The goal was to collect the opponent's pieces and the player who lost all was defeated. Mamba won and the corpulent woman stormed out of the room.

A man, not much older than Yugi betted the document of title to his father's ship and played next. Mamba took a gulp of wine before the match started. When she spotted Yugi she winked and grinned at him. Yugi gave an insecure smile and focussed on the game.

"She does seem to play fair. What do you think?", Layla whispered beside him.

"I think so too. She varies her moves but her tactic is basically the same", Yugi said.

Mamba went on the offensive first, then opened her defence for a few moves. Her opponents always seized the opportunity and won some of Mamba's pieces. But in the meantime she set up a trap around her rivals and they only noticed when it was too late.

The young man ran out crying after losing. Mamba turned to the blond woman and kissed her.

"Amateurs…they're all amateurs", she whispered.

"Who's next?", Rezar asked and downed a cup of wine.

"That'd me be!", Layla said and raised her hand.

Yugi stared at her but before he could grab her arm Layla had sat down on the chair. Yugi squeezed his way to her through some people.

"Wait, wait! We don't have anything with us. What do you want to stake?", he said.

"We do have something", Layla said and took off her bracelets, rings and her necklace. She turned to Yugi and pulled his jewellery off his wrists as well.

"Layla, no! They're technically Atem's! I can't lose them!", he said.

Layla rose from the chair and removed his necklace.

"Don't worry. We won't lose anything", she whispered, placed the necklace on top of the pile of jewellery and sat down.

Only now Mamba ended her kiss with the blonde and looked at the wager. She examined Yugi and smiled again.

"That's a nice start but I only like to play for high stakes. Well, since you obviously don't own more than this I'd say throw in a night with your cute friend and we're good", Mamba said and pointed at Yugi.

He jumped back and the people around them chattered.

"W-What?! No, never!" he said.

Layla pulled him down to her eye-level.

"When I win we'll have more than enough money for the whole night", she whispered.

"Throwing in our jewellery is one thing but I am not going to be gambled away! And I'm not going to cheat on Atem!", he said.

"Of course you're not", Layla said. "You can trust me. Really."

Yugi gulped. Mamba was good but beatable. Both had seen through her strategy already and Layla even seemed to have a plan to win against her. But offering himself as a potential prize still felt wrong.

"Can't we take on someone else?", he said.

"Look around. They're all small fry. It'll be until sunrise until we can afford our first drink. I would never consider it if I weren't sure I could do this. I just need her to agree to a match", she said. "Yugi, I mean it. You can trust me."

Her warm, amber eyes didn't blink. He nibbled on his lip.

"I…can't believe I'm saying this. Fine!" He covered his face and whispered: "I'm so glad Atem isn't here. He'd have everyone beheaded."

Mamba snapped her fingers and Rezar handed her two pouches full of gold. She threw them beside the pile of jewellery while the red-haired girl set up the game. Yugi gulped and mumbled a short prayer to the Gods he had picked up from Atem.

"Don't worry, little one. When I win we all win", Mamba said and blew him a kiss.

The game began and Yugi gnawed on his fingers the entire time. He watched and analysed every move of Layla and Mamba. This time Layla was determined not to let her impatience ruin the match. She built up a strong defence and none of Mamba's attacks were successful. But Layla didn't have the advantage yet either. Yugi wondered what she was waiting for.

"My, girl! This is boring. You can't win a game by being defensive all the time", Mamba said and moved one of her scarabs with her long, blue fingernails.

Layla couldn't be provoked. While she kept defending her pieces Yugi looked around. More people had gathered around the table. Were they all curious to see how Mamba would claim him as a prize? The thought made Yugi sick.

Only now he realised that Rezar was examining him with a grin. He licked his lips and Yugi felt the urge to slap him. The blond girl leaned forward and grabbed a jug of wine at the end of the table. Her breasts almost fell out of her dress. She chuckled when Yugi leaned back his head.

"You don't have to be scared. It'll be fun", she said.

"Of course it will be", Rezar said and leaned over her from behind. He gave her a deep kiss and his hand slid over her chest and underneath her dress. She giggled when he stopped and approached Yugi. "Why don't you come over here, so we can get to know each other? You're so exotic, little one…none of us ever had something like you in bed…"

Rezar's hand caressed Yugi's neck and wandered lower but he snatched it away.

"I am not a thing!", he said.

"Oh, so you'll put up a fight, huh? That turns me on even more", he said and Yugi's body froze when Rezar forced him into a hug, his arms like chains around him. Yugi's heart stopped when Rezar grabbed his butt so tightly it hurt. He gave a dirty, little laugh and his breath stank of alcohol and vomit. "Nice ass, little one. I'd say I'll go easy on you but that'd be a fucking lie."

Rezar opened his mouth and revealed another piercing on his dripping tongue. But before he could touch Yugi's lips he wriggled free of Rezar and stepped back.

"Get your paws off me!", he said with a shaking voice.

"Whistle back your dog!", Layla snapped at Mamba, rose from her chair and put one arm around Yugi.

"What did you call me?", Rezar said and stepped towards her but Navid appeared from the crowd and placed a hand on Rezar's chest.

"You stay away from them!", Navid said.

Sameer squeezed himself through the crowd as well.

"Where were you?", Layla said.

"You didn't tell us where you went and besides, look at how many people have gathered", Sameer said and stepped in front of Layla and Yugi. "Anyway, was that jerk bothering you, sis?"

"He was bothering Yugi", Layla said and gently rubbed his shoulder. "Make that bastard back off. I'm here to play, not to have my friend molested."

"She's right", Mamba said and stroked the hair of the red-haired woman. "You have awful manners, Rezar. You can't take something I haven't won yet. Sit down and shut up."

Rezar mumbled some curses but obeyed.

"Fine. I'll get to fuck his ass until dawn anyway!", he said and pointed at Yugi.

He clenched his fists and opened his mouth but Navid spoke first.

"Watch your tongue, shithead!", he said.

"I said shut up, all of you. And you girl, sit down. I have a game to win", Mamba said.

Layla gave Yugi a hug.

"I'm sorry. Are you okay?", she whispered.

"I…I'm not sure", Yugi said, his hands shaking. He still felt where Rezar's fingers had groped him. "But let's get this over with. That guy makes me sick."

Layla nodded and took her seat to continue the game. Navid and Sameer stepped beside Yugi.

"What's going on?", Sameer whispered to his left.

"We betted all out jewellery but it wasn't enough. So we had to add, well…me…for a night", Yugi said.

"I see. Don't worry. That asshole will stay away from you. Sameer and I have both been in the military for a year. We can handle him", Navid said at Yugi's right side.

"That's good", Yugi said and sighed in relief. He felt safer now that the two of them were here. They reminded him of Jonouchi and Honda.