"What the hell are they doing here?" Jou demanded, pointing wildly at the other three shadow angels behind Atem and Yugi. Atem rubbed the back of his neck, already regretting that he'd agreed to come to Jou's house with Yugi to stay the night with all his friends. And of, course, once Bakura and Marik found out what he was planning, they decided they were just going to follow him to Jou's. Kaiba also tagged along, but why he did Atem didn't know. And he didn't really want to know.
"Um, well…" Atem gave Jou an apologetic glance. "I'll just keep it simple. They're crazy stalkers who just followed me. I've never met them before in my life." He ignored the protests coming from Bakura and Marik.
"Jou, I'm sorry." Yugi jumped in. "They wouldn't take no for an answer."
Jou gave a long sigh and looked at the group. "Fine. They better not break anything or kill anyone." He then looked to Kaiba. "And I swear to god, if you call me 'mutt' I will tear your head off and rip your heart up through you throat." Kaiba only laughed, causing Jou to bristle. Yugi gave Jou a confused look and mouthed, "Mutt?" which Jou pointedly ignored.
"Let's play Truth or Dare and start this thing off right!" Marik shouted, walking inside and sitting down on the couch. To Yugi's surprise, Malik went up to him and sat on his lap. "I go first, I called it." Marik continued.
"Yami…please don't tell me…" Yugi shook his head just slightly, finallyunderstand what was going on. "When they went to the human world they met Jou, Malik, and Ryou, didn't they?"
"You shouldn't ask me if you don't want to be told." Was all Atem said as he closed the door behind them and stepped into the living room. Yugi gave a low groan, knowing that Atem's response meant yes.
"I'll play if Kaiba isn't afraid to do dares." Jou said, pointing over his shoulder at Kaiba with his thumb.
"No way does Marik go first!" Bakura snapped. "I want to go first. And I'd also like to play a couple rounds before someone is sent to the hospital."
"I don't think it's such a great idea to play Truth or Dare with this group…" Yugi muttered lowly, but everyone had heard him. So he shrugged and continued, "I don't want to play. I'll sit this game out."
"You've got to be kidding me." Bakura scoffed. "What a wimp."
"Whatever," Marik shrugged. "Okay, I pick…"
"You're not going first." Bakura interrupted.
"But I called it." Marik protested.
"Oh, my god." Atem snapped. "Shut up. I'll go first, you stupid, immature—" He cut off and growled in frustration. "Jou!"
Jou jumped. "Yes?"
"Truth or dare?"
"Oh, we're starting?" Jou paused. He didn't really want to say dare, but at the same time, he didn't want to look like a big sissy in front of Kaiba. Finally, he picked, "Dare."
"Ok, I dare you to proclaim your undying love for Kaiba." Atem stated, crossing his arms.
"I changed my mind. Give me truth!" Jou quickly said, his face slightly changing color.
"No."
"Aw, fuck." Jou gritted his teeth. "I'll get back at you for this…"
"Challenge accepted." Atem replied a bit too triumphantly. It was quite for another moment.
"Kaiba," Jou suddenly said, not even looking at the said man. Kaiba's eyes snapped over to him. "I love you. I will always love you. This really—really—short time we spent together has made me feel so happy. Even when I die, my love for you will still live on. My love is like…like Stride chewin' gum. They say it never loses it's flavor, although I have no idea if it does or not, cause I haven tried it." Jou tilted his chin up. "Have you tried it? I want to, but I never really got the chance to go to the store and—" Atem cleared his throat at Jou "—huh? Oh! Right. Well…I guess what I'm trying to say is that I love you so much, Kaiba. Uh…the end."
By now Yugi was laughing out loud. "I-I'm sorry. But that was just so awkward that it was funny."
"Watch it." Jou warned him. "Atem. Truth or dare."
"Dare, Mr. Kaiba Lover."
"I dare you to streak."
Atem's grin left him.
"Do what now?"
"Streak. You know, the act of runnin' around nude in a public place." Jou clarified. "Oh, and you have to recite the 50 states in alphabetical order as you do." There was a sudden snort from Bakura. "C'mon, Atem. You got ta do it." Jou said. Atem let out a long phrase that included the word 'hell' and Jou's 'mother' and something about 'right up his ass'.
Yugi quickly looked away as Atem stood up and started to strip off his shirt. He tried not to think about how Atem was getting naked just a couple feet from him. It was too awkward, too weird. He heard the door open and then slam close. Everyone—even Yugi, who couldn't contain his curiosity—went to the window to watch the dare unfold. Atem was facing the street, and Yugi felt his face go hot when he saw the curve of Atem's surprisingly sexy backside. He forced his eyes to focus on the back of Atem's head instead.
"Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California…" Atem started singing loudly as he ran down the street. He was going so fast, he almost looked like a blur. "…Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky…" He made it to the end of the street and turned on his heel. "…Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska…" He ran by an old lady standing out side her house. She gave a little gasp of surprise and he kept his head down, still reciting. "…New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio…" He sped up Jou's driveway. "Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington…" He threw himself inside. "West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming!"
As soon as the door closed, Atem leaned back against it and sank to the floor, breathing hard as he tried to pull down his shirt to cover himself—which he had left on during the run because of his wings. Yugi quickly ran to the closet and pulled out a towel. He then came back and bravely handed it to Atem, keeping his eyes on Atem's face only. His heart leapt up to his throat when he saw the miserable, flushed, embarrassed expression Atem was wearing as he took the towel. Yugi felt a strong pang of sympathy for him.
"I think that old lady is dead." Marik gasped through his laughter. Everyone was bent over in amusement. Bakura had to lean on Ryou's shoulder to keep himself upright. Atem's skin became darker and he placed his hand over his eyes.
"Jou wins the award for the best dare ever!" Malik gasped, tears streaming down his face as he grabbed at his sides.
"Last time I checked streaking meant no shirt," Jou said, trying and failing to give Atem a stern look around his amusement.
"I have a…a scar on my back." Atem lied. "I'd rather not…"
"Fine, fine." Jou said, accepting it.
"Oh, god." Atem muttered. "Bakura and Marik will never let me live this down." Yugi reached over and placed a hand on Atem's shoulder. He was the only one not going crazy with laughter. Atem gave him a grateful look before asking the room at large, "Who's next? I can't go again." Yugi got up and went to get Atem's clothes.
"I say Yugi has to go next." Kaiba suggested.
"I second that!" Marik said.
"I third it!" Malik smiled. Everyone else nodded in agreement.
Yugi almost dropped the clothing in his arms. "But - I'm not playing—"
"Don't be such a pussy." Marik rolled his eyes.
"Ew." Yugi winced as he handed Atem his clothes. "Do you have to be so vulgar? That word is just…disgusting."
"Every time I heard the word 'pussy' I think of a cat." Ryou suddenly said, and everyone looked to him. "So then I start smiling because I picture a cat between a girl's legs. Then I wonder if the cat is fuzzy." His smile fell a little. "But then I get grossed out, because it kind of sounds like I just wondered if their vagina was hairy."
"…da fuck?" Jou asked, and Ryou turned red, just now realizing that he said all of that out loud. A weird silence fell over the group.
"Right. Anyway." Kaiba looked at Yugi. "Your turn."
"I don't even know who to ask." Yugi protested.
"Just ask Marik. He'll do anything." Bakura said, waving a limp hand.
"Okay, okay. Fine." Yugi looked to Marik. "Truth or dare?"
"Dare me, baby!" Marik grinned. Yugi was silent for the longest time. He tapped his chin, in deep thought. Malik felt like he was going to go insane. "Oh, hurry up!"
"I'm trying!" Yugi frowned. "It's no good. I can't think of any."
"Can I make a suggestion?" Atem asked with a smirk, and Yugi looked over to him (glad to see that Atem was dressed now, he might add) and nodded. Atem grabbed Yugi by the arm and pulled him down so he could whisper into his ear.
"Mhm…sure…" Yugi's face shifted into disbelief, then rejection. He leaned away from Atem and shook his head. "No. No way."
"Please?" Atem asked, a small pout settling on his lips. Yugi bit his lip and then sighed.
"All right." He looked up at Jou. "I need ice."
"Got it." Jou nodded, and he stepped into the kitchen.
"What for?" Marik wondered out loud, his eyes narrowing slightly at Atem.
"You'll see." Atem said vaguely as Jou came back with an ice cube tray, which Yugi took.
"'Kay. Your dare is to put two of these under your shirt, over your nipples, and go talk to the same old lady Atem just flashed." Yugi explained. "You also have to say random shit, and you have to stay out there until they either fall or melt."
"How awesome." Marik was actually smiling. He took two ice cubes from Yugi and stuck them under his shirt, tying the back in a knot so it was tighter so they would stay. "Watch and learn, ladies." He instructed the group before he walked outside. He made his way to the lady, who now had an older man with her. Everyone stood outside to watch, and Marik made sure to speak loudly so they could hear.
"Hello, mommy!" Marik said. "I have some really cold nipples." The couple looked completely shocked. "But it's a shame…they're shrinking." Marik looked down to his chest sadly. "Why do these things keep happening to me?" Suddenly he smiled. "You want to see something cool?"
The couple didn't answer. The man was now trying to get himself and the woman inside. Marik stuck out his tongue and wiggled it like a snake. Yugi's eyebrows came together at the bizarre sight. There was something seriously wrong with that guy. How his tounge was so dexterious, Yugi would never know - and he didn't want to know.
"Oh, hey. Wait." Marik grabbed the lady's arm, stopping them from leaving. "Would you to please tell me what this 'sex' stuff is? I asked some people and they told me to touch myself to find out. And when I did, my urine turned white!" One of the ice cubes slipped and fell to the ground, breaking in half. Marik stared at it. "Oh…would you look at that. My nipple fell off." He was silent, then, "Oh my god! My nipple just fell off! It just fucking fell off! It's the apocalypse!" Marik let out an eerie wail and ran back to the house.
"I'm so proud!" Malik said as he laughed. He hugged Marik and hung on him.
"Thank you, kitten." Marik smirked as everyone went back inside. Malik turned pink.
"Geez." Kaiba shot them a look. "If they start humping each other, I'm leaving."
"Agreed." Jou added. "There shall be no humpin' in my house."
"I guess it's my turn now." Marik started, sitting on the couch.
"Keep it clean," Atem warned.
"Fun sucker." Marik muttered, but didn't argue. "Bakura. I choose you!"
"Well, well," Bakura mused. "Are we quoting cartoons now?"
"Your dare, if you choose to accept it—"
"Of course I do."
"—is to only speak Pokemon. For the duration of this game."
"…What?"
"Pokemon. You can only speak the Pokemon language." Marik smirked darkly. And he leaned forward, cupping his hand around his ear. "Huh? Well? What do you say, Kura?"
"…Pikachu." Bakura muttered. Ryou let out a small giggle. "Don't laugh at—uh—Eevee!" Bakura corrected himself. Everybody just watched him.
"So you're actually going to do it?" Atem asked. "Like…for real?" Bakura only nodded.
"What was that?" Marik asked sweetly. "I'm afraid I couldn't hear you."
"Pidgety—fucking—Sandslash!" Bakura snapped. Everyone laughed.
"How do you know all the names of the Pokemon, anyway?" Kaiba joked. Bakura let out a frustrated growl and smacked Marik upside the head.
"Um…wait." Yugi held up his hand and everyone turned to him. "How is Bakura going to ask truth or dare if he can only speak Pokemon language?" The room fell into total silence.
"Marik, you are the dumbest person to walk this planet." Kaiba said.
"…Oh, god." Marik looked shocked. "I didn't think about that. But, of course, Atem would never have approved my original dare…"
Even thought he told himself he didn't want to know, Atem asked, "Which was what?"
"It involved a knife, toilet paper, and a helpless soul." Malik replied, counting on his fingers with a now thoughtful expression.
"Are you just kidding, or are you serious?" Jou asked, eyes wide.
"Serious. Deadly serious, you might say." Marik smirked. All the sane people looked at each other warily. What on earth could Marik have been planning?
"I have an idea!" Malik suddenly said, breaking the tense silence. He leaned over to Ryou and whispered in his ear.
"Malik, we can't do that. It's not our house." Ryou shook his head.
"Sure we can! Jou won't mind. Follow me." Malik grabbed Ryou's hand and pulled him through a door that Yugi knew led to the kitchen. Everybody stared after them, curious, except for Yugi. He had a pretty certain idea of what they were planning. Yugi quietly scooted over so he was next to Atem and whispered while everyone was preoccupied.
"Atem, you might want to find a shelter. Like behind the couch. I think they're going to—"
"Food fight!"Malik yelled as he and Ryou came bursting back in with their arms full of food. Atem looked up in time to see a mashed up banana flying at his face. Before it could find its target, though, a hand wrapped around his wrist and pulled him to the right and behind the couch. The banana flew past his head. Atem's eyes found the hand, and traveled up the connected arm till he saw two amethyst eyes.
"Yugi, how did you know—thank you for—"
"Don't worry about it." Yugi said as he leaned over Atem's lap, reaching for another part of food that had landed next to them. His hip brushed against Atem's stomach, and Atem jerked back a little at the sudden, innocent touch, his heart giving an odd twist. Yugi didn't notice and sat back up. "What ever food comes over here, roll it up and throw it back." Yugi said as he quickly leapt up from his position, threw something, then ducked back down. Atem heard a 'ew!' come from Kaiba.
Atem was surprised. He'd never done something like this before. Carefully, he peeked around the couch and saw that everybody had gotten into teams. Bakura and Malik had knocked the coffee table over and were hunched behind it, grabbing a stray pieces of food and flinging it over to Marik and Ryou, who were hiding behind the open kitchen door. Kaiba and Jou were in the middle of the living room, covered in egg, banana, bread, and who knows what else. It looked like they hadn't found a cover in time, and now they were dirty and vulnerable. Jou tried to duck, but he bumped into Kaiba as another part of banana hit his face.
Before he could even realize it was coming at him, an orange hit Atem in the forehead. "Ow…Don't be throwing hard things that can injure me, you idiot!" He yelled at Bakura.
"Oh, yeah! I got Atem! Oh—shit! I meant Vulpix!" Bakura quickly tried to correct himself. Atem picked up the fallen orange and got back behind the couch.
"I'm pretty sure we're not playin' that anymore," Jou said, tossing some unknown food item to Ryou. "The dare is over."
"Atem," Yugi said in a low voice, moving closer to Atem. He watched as Atem peeled the orange. "You're supposed to throw it, not eat it. If you're hungry I can go get you something."
Atem only gave him a brief smile.
"Tell me; what is on the inside of an orange?"
"Uh…the main fruit part that we eat?"
"Exactly."
"What?"
Atem's smile was back, and it stayed this time. "Just watch." He finished peeling the orange and broke a piece of the fruit off. "See? I turned one hard fruit into extra ammo."
"I see that." Yugi nodded approvingly. Atem gave him half.
"Watch this." Atem told Yugi, and then he stood up.
"That's pretty stupid, Atem!" Marik said tauntingly. "You might get hit." Atem gave a feral grin and flung a piece of orange at him. It hit Bakura on the cheek, and stuck there.
"What did you do to this orange?" Bakura asked as Marik peeled it off of his cheek. The both gaped at it.
"He murdered it!" Marik finally cried out. Then—before Atem could retort—there was a soft, mush sound and everybody stopped throwing and looked over to the couch. Atem blinked, then realized that they were not looking at him, but next to him. He looked over and saw Yugi. Whose face was covered in frosting.
To his surprise, Yugi laughed. "Where did the cake come from?" He demanded, managing to look both surprised, annoyed, and amused at once. He wiped some frosting off with his finger and stuck it in his mouth.
"Oh no!" Ryou whined. "Malik! I told you not to throw that! It was for Yugi!"
"For me?" Yugi asked, wiping frosting off of his face.
"A late birthday cake," Ryou said, looking ashamed. "Since we didn't get to celebrate it..."
"Well…It's really good." Yugi stuck another finger-full in his mouth and smiled to his friend. Atem swiped his finger along Yugi's cheek, collecting some frosting, and tried it himself.
"That is good." He said. He hadn't had cake in years. The food fight was suddenly abandoned as everybody stampeded over to the two. Yugi stepped back and held up his hands.
"Guys! Stop trying to eat me." He protested.
"Atem got to!" Malik pouted. What skin on Yugi that wasn't covered in frosting turned pink.
"That's—it's not like he was—" He shook his head. "He did that before I could tell him not to, so…" He shook his hand to fling some of the frosting off of it—and also to do something to distract himself. "I got to go clean my face." He finally muttered, and headed down the hall. Atem watched him leave before he turned back to the group.
"Behave," He said to Marik and Bakura before he followed Yugi. He knocked on the bathroom door and listened as the water turned off. Then Yugi came out with a wet, but now clean face, which he was drying off with a towel. He blinked at Atem, surprised.
"What did you follow me here for?" Yugi asked curiously. Atem opened his mouth and then closed it. What a good question.
"Are you ok, Yugi?" Atem settled on saying.
"Fine. I just got hit in the face with a cake, but it's ok." Yugi grinned. They were quiet for a while.
"Atem?"
"Hmm?"
"You do realize that you left them all downstairs—alone—right?"
"Yeah. Not very smart now that I think about it."
"No, that wasn't." Yugi agreed. They were quiet for another moment, then, "Atem. Why are you holding my hand?
"What?" Atem immediately let go of Yugi's hand, not even aware that he'd grabbed it. When did he…? He looked away from Yugi's eyes. "No reason."
"…Really." It wasn't a question. Just a quiet statement. Yugi shifted his weight onto his other foot, trying to stop the slow burn from reaching his face. He wished he hadn't said anything about it. Atem's hand had been reassuring and comforting…and above all, it had been warm. Yugi looked at the ground, deciding not to dwell on what all of this meant between them. Finally, though, Atem couldn't stand the silence anymore.
"Yugi…you know I—"
Before anything else was said, there was a loud shatter from downstairs, and they both jumped and jerked further away from each other like they'd been caught stealing. Yugi looked back to Atem as he looked to Yugi. They stood in more silence, trying to figure out what had just changed. Before, their silences were comfortable, and neither one had to fill it. But now…this quiet…it was unbearable. Yugi felt like he had to say something to fill the void.
"Um, I guess we better go see what happened." He suggested. Atem nodded and followed silently as Yugi led the way downstairs. For some reason, it felt like tonight was going to be a long night.