What The Hell?

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter Ten

A kiss and a confession. These two components changed everything in a matter of moments. Best friends since childhood, their affection evolved into something more. Love grew and brought together two young adults.

The entire situation at hand confused and excited Yami. He had always wanted a relationship with Yuugi despite his fear of accepting the truth behind his desire. Yuugi had always been there for him and never judged him as others had. Obsessed with games of all types, neither could defeat the other without a great deal of strategy and effort. Both held the top scores in their games and neither admitted defeat. Yet, even after all the years in their friendship, Yami had yet to defeat his favorite game in existence, Yuugi. Both teens shared a passion for an old card game known as "Duel Monsters." Each had their own strategy and style of 'dueling.' Yami relied heavily on his 'god cards' and powering them up along with his magicians. All the while, Yuugi had his own unique approach by using childish monsters that evolved into stronger beings as the game progressed. Each style fit their personality and it was because of this game that they had become friends in the first place.

Yuugi's confession caught the Egyptian off guard, causing him to wonder if he should give in and date his best friend. If their relationship somehow hit a 'dead end' would they still be friends? Fear and worry clouded Yami's judgment. The risks were there, and both teens admitted their feelings for one another. Was it worth the risk?

'What happens if we lose our friendship if our relationship ends? I do not think I can handle losing Yuugi. He's everything to me.' Yami thought, worry growing within his heavy heart. His Aibou was resting in his lap, head buried into his chest. Yuugi had fallen asleep, stress and anxiety taking a toll on his already exhausted form.

The Egyptian teen smiled at the still form of his love interest. He brushed a few stray blond bangs behind the teen's ear, happiness replacing the elder teen's worry. He sighed softly, basking in the comfort and warmth that Yuugi exuded. This moment was perfect. He never wanted it to end. Everything was frozen in time, minus this exact moment with Yuugi. Nothing mattered more than the person in his lap.

Though reality would crash down hard upon them, causing both to think about the truth of their newfound feelings for one another. Was it really worth the risk?

Yami leaned down and pressed a kiss to Yuugi's forehead, a blush dusting his cheeks. He leaned back against the headboard of the bed, closing his eyes.

This was paradise. Reality could wait.

The soft sounds of a cell phone ringing echoed through the room. Two figures were spooned together on the bed, sleeping soundly. Rays of sunlight peeked in through the blinds, lightening up the darkened room. Yuugi groaned, hearing his cell phone ring continuously. He opened his eyes, allowing his vision to adjust to the waking world. After a few minutes, he surveyed his surroundings wondering what had happened. He looked down and saw the stray empty beer bottles mingling on the floor. He sighed heavily, yawning. Reality returned to him at the sight of the bottles. His father's demands, the impending divorce, and of course his spoken truth to Yami.

Yuugi sat up fully, rubbing his eyes sleepily. His mind buzzed with activity and dull pain. Never a heavy drinker, he felt the effects of a small hangover settling in.

'I'll definitely stay away from alcohol for a while.' He thought, turning his attention to the still form on his bed. A smile graced his lips as he spied Yami's sleeping body. He leaned down and pressed a kiss onto the Egyptian's cheek. A blush formed on his cheeks at his action.

Never in a million years had he expected himself to fall for his best friend. The mere thought of falling for someone as close to him as Yami made his head spin. Yami knew more about him than even his family. The Egyptian had always been there for him during his darkest times, especially during his diagnosis' of anxiety and Dyslexia. The Mutou family had taken the news hard, worried for their youngest family member.

Yuuka Mutou and Yori Mutou were worried for his development and advancement in education and even social situations. Yori tried to help in any form he could. However, living in another country proved difficult on his attempts of consoling his son and even his small family.

All the while, Yami alongside Yuugi's grandfather, Sugoroku stood by the small teen and supported him through his toughest times. Neither teen nor man gave up on Yuugi. Due to their support, he made it through school and even managed to become social with others outside of his family and Yami.

It was because of this that Yuugi found himself enamored with Yami. He had never given up on his best friend. During his worst times, he was there, supporting and comforting in his confident nature. Atemu "Yami" Millennia was his pillar of strength.

'Which makes this even harder. We feel the same for one another. My father's intervention in my life helped with my confession. But is the risk worth it? Could Yami and I have a stable relationship and remain friends if it fails?'

Anxiety bubbled to life, heart rate increasing. Yuugi breathed in heavily, attempting to calm his heavy heart. These worries would not end. He needed to talk with Yami and see where they would go from here.

By now the teen's cell phone had stopped ringing, the bright screen of the iPhone littered with notifications of missed calls, text messages, and even a few voice mails.

Curiously Yuugi picked up his phone, pulling the charger cord from the phone's port. Silently he sifted through the messages finding missed calls from his mother/grandfather, and a voice mail from his father. The texts were old, some unread and some unwanted. Jou had texted him continuously through the time he had claimed the alcohol the night previously. The blond did not want his friend to binge drink over his sadness.

Once finished, Yuugi set the iPhone onto his nightstand, taking this time to stand on wobbly feet, stretching out his arms over his head. His back popped as he yawned once more. He headed into the bathroom, readying himself for a long day.

After all, it would be a challenging and life altering day.

Yami awoke sometime later. He sat up and stretched the kinks from his back. He yawned loudly, rubbing his crimson eyes. He jumped, startled, not recognizing the room. After the previous night events coursed through his mind, he smiled, feeling somewhat elated.

Yuugi returned his feelings. This truth brought about great happiness. He had not felt this elated since high school graduation. His jealousy towards Atem and Akefia's relationship no longer mattered. He would have his own relationship if Yuugi desired it.

He knew he and Yuugi needed to discuss this new-found love interest in one another. Could they start a serious relationship and keep their friendship intact? The questions were mind jumbling. The Egyptian simply wanted answers, and he wanted them soon. After all, this adolescent wanted to hold and kiss Yuugi and call him his lover.

'I sound like one of those damn boy love novels of Mana's. What has gotten into me?'

Yami crept out of Yuugi's bed, walking out of the room quietly. He walked into the living room, spying the small form of his love interest. He smiled at the sight of Yuugi, curled up on the couch, stuffed panda held tightly within his grasp. The small teen looked adorable.

Yami cleared his throat, amethyst eyes locking onto his crimson. Yuugi blushed heavily. He set the panda in his lap, motioning for Yami to join him.

"Aibou, what are you doing up this early?" He asked, sitting down next to his partner on the couch.

Yuugi looked at him sideways and shrugged his small shoulders. "Headache and worry."

Brows rose in worry. Yami gently lifted Yuugi, earning a squawk from the smaller teen. He set the teen in his lap, chuckling at his favorite game's red face.

"Why did you do?"

"Because I wanted to hold you close, Aibou. Is there anything wrong with that?"

Yuugi made a movement, wanting to protest. However, his actions died within moments, worry overriding everything.

"Yami can I talk to you about us?"

So it was beginning already.

"I think we need to, Yuugi. Things are different now. We're not just friends anymore."

Yuugi looked up at Yami, brows furrowed. "Yeah, that's the problem."

"You only want to be friends?"

The smaller shook his head. "I want a relationship with you. But, I'm afraid that if we broke up, we would lose our friendship."

The elder of the two sighed, a sad smile creeping upon his face. "Aibou, that is a risk that everyone must take. If friends did not give a relationship a try, then there is always that doubt. We have known each other since childhood. We have the same interests and we have not fought but once or twice in our entire lives."

By now Yuugi's face had become beet red. He buried his face into Yami's chest. "Is the risk worth it? I cannot handle a life without you, Yami. You keep me grounded."

At this point, the talk had escalated into a teary show. Yami ran his fingers through Yuugi's tricolor hair.

"It's whatever you want, Yuugi. I want to date you. I've always wanted you from afar." He frowned a bit, gazing at the petite gamer sadly. "If you do not want to take the risk then I'm here as your friend. Nothing will have changed."

Yuugi pulled Yami into a slow and sensual kiss. He guided Yami into the dominant role, savoring the taste of his friend's delectable mouth. They parted moments later, saliva dripping from their rosy lips. Tears cascaded down Yuugi's cheeks as he fought to hide them. He wiped at his eyes furiously, struggling to finding his voice.

"It's hard to choose, but for now let's take it slow. There are too many things going on right now that can complicate things between us. For now, we're on neutral grounds. And if you still want me after this entire mess ends, I'm here."

Yami took in the information, his heart breaking at the comment. He nodded briefly, leaning down to embrace Yuugi.

"If that is what you desire, then I shall wait for you."

In a matter of moments a truce was found. Neutral grounds were better than none at all.

The duo was cut off by the shrill ring of a cell phone. Yuugi took out his phone reading the caller ID. He groaned and excused himself from the living room. Yami watched as his love interest answered the phone in fast-paced Japanese. The root of Yuugi's problems began to grow. Yori had intervened in Yuugi's life again. He wanted to keep a close watch on his roommate. However, he knew deep down that Yuugi needed to do this alone. After all, setting a neutral truce between a budding relationship meant just that.

"Little Heba confessed his love for you?"

Yami nodded, sipping absently on his diet soda. He set it down on the table and looked at his elder brother.

"Yes, but it's complicated."

Atem tilted his head to the side, surveying his younger siblings sullen form. He leaned against the booth and tapped his foot on the linoleum flooring. "What is complicated about accepting the love of your best friend who you have been infatuated with since sophomore year in high school, Yami?"

Said teen's eyes widened. "How the hell did you know that?"

Crimson eyes glittered. "You wrote yours and Yuugi's names in your journal countless times. That and you muttered that in your sleep all the time."

Atem and Yami had shared a room growing up. They annoyed the hell out of one another. Be it with turtles or Egyptian history books, both boys knew how to annoy the other. Yami kept a journal and hid it away from everyone, including Yuugi. It appeared Atem had gotten a hold of it.

"You read my journal? How the hell did you get a hold of it?"

Atem smirked and wagged an index finger in front of the other teen's face. "Tell me what you did with Citrus and I'll tell you."

"That stupid stuffed turtle of yours? You're still butt hurt over that stupid toy?"

Atem crossed his arms over his chest, glaring down at the younger teen.

"He was my favorite toy as a kid. I want him back. I know he's still around. You're not devious enough to destroy it. Not unless you want Yuugi to read your little diary."

"It's a journal, damn it! Your stupid turtle is still in one piece, Atem. Get over it. What would Akefia say if he saw you whining over your stuffed turtle doll?"

"Don't worry about that, Yami. Besides, you know Ake' has a liking for animals. He nicknames his favorite people after animals since he has a bad memory."

Yami took another swig of his soda, rolling his eyes. He finished off the caffeinated beverage and set the empty glass down.

"He calls me brat all the time. How the hell is that nicknaming me after an animal."

Atem chuckled adjusting his apron. "As I said, he nicknames his favorite people after animals. You are just a special case, kiddo."

"Whatever. Let us get to the point of this conversation."

"Alright, kiddo. So tell me, where is your boy toy or should I say little game at?"

Yami sighed and stirred his straw in his empty glass. "He's dealing with his father again. His father wants him to move to Japan and his parents are divorcing." He paused and pushed his glass to the side. "That and we're not dating yet."

By this point and time, Atem had taken a seat across from his brother, gazing at him sadly. "What? Why not?"

"Yuugi wants to get through the problems at hand with his family before we date. He does not want anything to complicate it further."

"Sounds smart. He wants to make sure his family issues are out of the way before he focuses on the budding relationship between you both."

"Atem you are beginning to sound like Mana."

Atem shrugged and then stood up. "Well, she is our sister. It happens." He looked up and noticed a few people standing in the entryway.

"I'll be back!"

Yami rolled his eyes at his brother. He simply sat there, rethinking the conversation with Yuugi. Even with their confessions, things appeared complicated. Why was everything complicated after high school?

'At least Yuugi did not reject the idea of a relationship. He just needs time to adjust and fix his priorities.'

Yami decided he would wait, and let nature take its course.

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