Thank you my dears for your favs, follows and such. And of course, special thanks to those that took the time to review! Guest, fan (Close! Dental hygienist. Plus ten points), Guest 2, Guildsnake (Oh my gosh, yes! That would be glden!), Guest 3 and CottonCoccon!

Due to popular demand, I now present to you the long awaited chapter of their first time. Enjoy!

I still don't own Yu-gi-oh.

Yuugi leaned back in her office chair, rubbing stress from her brows. After days of frantic worrying and decision making, things were finally all set. All she had to do now was wait for things to start. She just wasn't sure if she was impatient or reluctant.

Probably impatient. The sooner the semester began, the quicker it could be over and the sooner she could join Yami at school.

Said boyfriend walked in a moment later, carrying two cups of lavender tea. He gave Yuugi hers.

"Finished?" he said. "Or do I need to leave the room again?"

"No, your timing is perfect," said Yuugi, blowing on her steaming cup. She took a tentative sip. Still too hot. "I just finished signing up for classes. Now all I need to do is order the books."

"Seems such a waste to buy two sets of books," he grumbled. "If we were together we could just share them."

Yuugi set down her cup, his bellyaching touching a nerve. He'd been so moody for the past week.

"It's just one semester," she said, voice clipped as much as his. "I can join you later for the winter semester."

Yami didn't answer, leaning his back against Yuugi's desk as he glared daggers into the wall.

"Yami," said Yuugi, her tone pointed. He immediately caught on.

"I'm sorry Yuugi," said Yami, though he didn't appear to be sorry. "I'm just annoyed with this whole situation."

"And you think I'm happy with it?" said Yuugi. It wasn't as if they had asked Yuugi's grandpa to have a stroke. "You think I wanted gramps to get sick?"

"It's not that," said Yami. "I hate us being separated."

"So do I," said Yuugi, but it had to happen. She had to stay with Grandpa for a semester of college. To make absolutely sure he was alright and could recover fully or that it didn't happen again. She would also help look after the shop. It was a lot cheaper than hiring someone else to do it.

Then Yami had to go off to college. It was part of his deal with his parents for dating Yuugi. They might like her better now, but the second she started hampering his future they were willing to yank away all support. Which was why if Yami wanted to keep his inheritance, he needed to go to school.

So, Yuugi had signed up for online classes. To do her best not to fall behind. It wouldn't be quite the same as many of her major courses weren't offered online, but since she was a new student it didn't matter. There were plenty of core classes she could take in the meantime.

That meant Yami would go and live on campus while Yuugi stayed here.

"It's not too far away," said Yuugi. "We can visit each other on holidays and three-day weekends."

"It won't be the same," said Yami. "I don't like being separated from you for so long. Hell, the last time I remember us spending more than three days without seeing each other is when I was fourteen and dad took me on that business trip with him. And that was only for a week!"

Yami put his cup down next to Yuugi's. Even the tea wasn't helping. They'd both been so stressed at the thought of separating.

Yuugi waved a hand at her boyfriend, a nonverbal motion for him to come closer. He did so, Yuugi taking his hand and stroking it soothingly. His expression was still tight, emotions reined in by force of will. But he was finally looking at her.

"Talk to me Yami," said Yuugi. "You've been boiling for days."

"There's nothing to talk about," grumbled Yami. "I'm just pissed that my parents can't be more understanding and let me take online courses as well."

"But you can't say that you're surprised."

"No, I can't."

She continued to hold his hand, heart calming at the contact. Hopefully it was helping Yami calm down as well. It was certainly helping her… or maybe it was just making it worse. His touch had become so much more intoxicating in the past few months. It was enough to calm her current irritation. Replace it with a surge of happiness that had no logical reason for being there.

She often wondered if Yami had ever experienced something like that with her.

If he had… oh.

The thought sent heat to her cheeks as it stirred another desire in her. One she'd been suppressing.

Calm your thoughts, she mentally berated. Now was not the time for that, but she couldn't help it. Every time she thought about being separated from Yami for long periods of time it surfaced the physical urges in her body. The desire to be close and not let go.

Then there was all her pent-up stress from worrying over grandpa. Sinking into Yami's comforting arms was sounding better every second.

She let go of Yami's hand, casually turning back to her computer screen.

"I'd better buy my books while I'm thinking about it," she said. "Should I get them new or used?"

"You could just rent them," said Yami. The next second, he was behind her, arms around her on the chair and cheeks pressed beside her own. His hair tickled her ear as he pointed to the screen. "There's an option if you click down. I figure there's no point in buying books you'll never bother reading again."

"Huh, didn't see that," said Yuugi, repressing a grin. His arms felt so good. So familiar and strong.

As she reached for the mouse, Yami took her hand. With the other, he turned her head and gave her a deep kiss. She returned it with eagerness. She loved it when he was unreasonable like this. Kissing or touching her randomly. Not that she had admitted it to him yet. The thought was too embarrassing as well as too much fuel for Yami's ego.

Mmm, it felt so good. They'd been salty with each other just two minutes earlier and here she was thinking about how good it felt to have him near. That was how crazy effective his touch on her had become.

His lips lingered as they barely separated. His thumb continued to brush her cheek.

"Sorry," said Yami.

"What for?" said Yugi, breathless.

"Just… I'm really going to miss you. I know we'll talk on the phone constantly but… it's not the same. I'll miss being with you. Feeling your presence. Touching you... I'm not looking forward to it."

"Neither am I," she grumbled with a kiss.

She was not shy as she kissed Yami, wanting this as much as he did. Books and tea were forgotten as they occupied themselves with something better. Something more fulfilling. Their lips kept pushing for more. Hands kept pulling to be closer. One of Yami's wandered down to give her legs more attention.

It was then that she realized the chair was not the best place for a make out session. Especially when her urges were this demanding.

She managed to get out the word 'bed' between kisses, indicating what she wanted. Yami obliged, and they moved to the covers.

As their exchanges became more heated, Yuugi knew what would come next. What should come next. They'd been slowly working their way to this point. Taking things one step at a time. Hands and mouths had wandered both above and below clothing, but they hadn't taken the last step. The final plunge.

It was time for that to change.

"Yami," she said.

He stopped his current teasing of her collar to meet her eyes. She saw so much in that gaze. Desire. Love. The fires of a passion bright as the sunrise. Seeing him above her like this, she felt safe despite being so exposed. Being so open.

"I'm ready,"

Yami's eyes flashed in surprise before smoothing to a tender expression only she could produce from him. A look that never failed to touch her heart or renew the powerful feelings she felt for him. As if she was precious to him, just as he was precious to her.

She felt his hands grip the sheets beside her. His head lowered to her heart as he gave a long gathering breath. Then it released, and along with it, all his safeguards.

"I love you Yuugi,"

This was different, she could tell. The way he touched her. Kissed her. It all spoke of a man no longer sipping, instead drinking with the desire to quench his thirst. She took it all in, gave as much of herself as she could. It was all so new but so wonderful. Through the gentle caresses, the embarrassed laughs and tender tears, they expressed their love for one another.

Some undetermined amount of time later, Yuugi lay curled beside her boyfriend in the sheets. Her body was tired but her mind and flesh were charged with an energy she couldn't describe. It all felt so refreshing.

Yami was facing her so she kept her gaze lowered, still a little too shy to meet his after what they had just done.

"Hey,"

She felt a finger below her chin, tilting it upward. His was smiling again, though this time there was a completeness to it. A connection that she felt. He gave her a soft kiss.

"How are you feeling?" he said. "Not too sore I hope?"

"No, I'm- I'm feeling great," stuttered Yuugi. "Really great just, uh. Sorry. My heart's still freaking out after that."

Yami chuckled, his kisses traveling to her forehead. "Same for me," he said. "My heart hasn't stopped pounding since you said you were ready."

"Really?"

She placed a hand to his chest. Sure enough, the thumping was more distinct than its usual tempo. She should know. She had memorized his heart beat by now. Yuugi pressed an ear to his chest, determined to memorize this new tune. She was sure with time, it would become as familiar to her as the rest of him.

Yami's hand began lazily running up and down her back, sending small tingles of pleasure through her body. She hummed in content, happy to just lay here with him. The world was a happy buzz of indistinguishable background noise. Only her and Yami existed where she was now.

"I'm happy," she said. "I love you Yami, and I know that I'll always love you."

It was incredible. The intensity of which her love for him had grown. There was no doubt in her mind that no matter what happened in the future, Yami would forever have a place within her heart.

The hand on her back stopped.

Silence stretched for so long that she thought Yami might have fallen asleep. She'd heard that tended to happen after intercourse. A shifting from Yami's side told her that wasn't the case. She raised her head, curious why he hadn't said anything.

His face was now turned away from her, a hand covering his eyes. She could just see the corner of his mouth pointed downward.

"Yami?" she said.

He removed the hand. He faced her. She saw what he had been hiding. The reaction to her words. She pushed up on her elbows so she could see better. Identify the emotions swimming in Yami's too bright eyes. The frown was not one of distress or anger. It was one of someone too overcome with joy to accurately express themselves.

The sight brought tears to her own eyes. They began to fall, each one caught deftly by Yami's thumb. He took each one tenderly from her cheek.

"I've somehow managed to make you cry," said Yami. "But I can't say I'm sorry to see your tears."

"Just make sure you take responsibility for them," She grumbled.

That's when Yami's smile came.

It was beautiful.

It was also too much for Yuugi. She buried her nose into Yami's neck, giving a loud grumbling sigh.

"Why do you have to leave?" she groaned. "Stupid school. What's so great about it anyway?"

Yami shifted, wrapping his arms around Yuugi and pulling her closer.

"I could always stay," said Yami. "Let my parents deal with it."

"…No. You really couldn't. Not after we've gotten so far."

"No, you're right. We couldn't."

It was hard, but it was also the truth. Yami did want to inherit his parent's company. He also didn't want to become estranged from them, which would definitely happen if he didn't complete his portion of the bargain. The Sennen's never went back on a promise.

If Yuugi was honest with herself, the thought of Yami leaving had terrified her. Not because she would miss him - that was an inevitability she'd have to get used to if he worked any sort of business job that required traveling. It was the thought that that other people would demand his attention. What if he got close to them? Specifically, someone smarter and kinder than her? What if his love for her slowly dwindled?

She knew these thoughts were silly. Knew her fears were rude to both herself and to Yami, but she hadn't been able to help them. Hadn't been able to stop worrying.

But now, after sharing this together. After seeing how her love affected him. She was again reminded of the strength of his feelings for her. It had overwritten those silly feelings of self-doubt. She was loved, and damn it! She loved him just as much.

"Just think about it this way," said Yami, bring her attention back to him. "I've heard that long-distance reunion sex is great."

"You-!" Her face blanched. "We just had sex for the first time and you're already thinking of doing it again?"

"I wouldn't be opposed to another round."

Yuugi smacked him on the arm but did it with a smile. The next second she gave a squeal as Yami flipped her below him, hovering over her. His smile was predatory as he got closer.

"Well?" he said. "You don't object, do you?"

She couldn't even scowl properly as a smile overpowered it.

"Not at all," she said. "Make me yours again Yami Sennen."

Can anyone else hear the song 'The Other Side' by Jason Derulo in their heads? I can, hence the name of the chapter.

Tally of current requests:

Yami/Yuugi's "first time": 11

Yami's crush starts to develop: 7

Yami's proposal: 7

Yami/Yuugi friendship developing: 5

When Yuugi finds out she's pregnant: 5

Puppyshipping General: 4

Future Puppyshipping: 4

How Bakura's and Yuugi's group got closer: 4

Yami and Yuugi as parents: 4

Yami and Kaiba's relationship develop: 4

Yami's POV last ball: 3

How Yami got his nickname as Pharaoh: 3

When Ryou finds out she's pregnant: 3

Puzzleshipping general: 3

More College moments: 3

Yuugi and Izumi getting closer/working together: 3

How Kaiba took over his father's company: 2

Marik and Bakura's trip to Wendys: 2

Juudai/Yusei first meeting: 2

Yami pissed as Rafael (and others) try to steal Yuugi: 2

How Bakura became a police officer: 1

Marik/Malik relationship develop: 1

Ryou Emerges: 1

Future jobs All: 1

Yuugi/Yami wedding day: 1

How Marik joined Yami's Family: 1