A/N: Thank you everyone who left reviews and all who have favorited / followed the story and me! You are all amazing! Don't worry, I will go over that part of Yami's past and why he can relate so well to Yugi. I am so hyper right now ohmehgosh! You would have thought someone gave me a caffeine IV lol! Okay getting side tracked. I'm honestly not sure where this story is going to head now, but I do have a few ideas *wiggles brows*. Enjoy!

/Yugi's thoughts/

/Yami's thoughts/

The door flung open to Yami's apartment as the crimson eyed professor walked in excitedly, "Yugi? I have good news for you!" Four months had passed. Yugi continued to live with Yami throughout the entire spring semester. Yami clearly saw that Yugi was not ready to go back to campus; thus he urged him to take online classes. With the constant encouragement and support provided by Yami, Yugi was able to complete the spring semester. He still did not feel he was not ready to go back to that campus just yet. He hoped that with some rest and relaxation through the summer he would be able to return to a normal school schedule with classes on campus during the fall.

Yami closed the door locking the bolt before looking around for his little doppelganger, "Yugi? Are you here?" He did not receive any response and did not hear any movement. He walked passed the dark bathroom and cracked the door to the bedroom, "Yugi?" The bed was in disarray; however, there was no sign of Yugi in it. Yami began to worry as he took a step further into the room and looked in the very last place Yugi could be, the desk. Yami breathed a huge sigh of relief when he located Yugi hunched over snoring on his laptop. He quietly chuckled to himself as he approached the tri-colored youth. He ran his fingers gently through Yugi's hair earning a soft groan from the boy.

"Yugi?"

Yugi lifted his head slowly. He blinked his brilliant violet eyes and rubbed the sleep out of them, "Oh hi Yami!"

The professor couldn't help himself, he burst out in a deep laugh that resounded through the entire apartment. Yugi tilted his head confused, "What's so funny?"

Yami caressed Yugi's check gently, "You have key markings on your face, I think I can even make out the s, d, and f keys on your cheek!" He held his sides as his booming laugh filled the once quiet room.

Yugi blushed bright pink as he massaged his cheek trying to make the markings go away. Desperately seeking a topic change; his violet eyes glanced back to the laptop trying to remember what he was doing before he fell asleep, "Oh, Yami, the grades are out for the spring semester."

Yami's laughing died down quickly, "Oh? And how did you do little one?"

"I got straight A's" Yugi exclaimed excitedly.

"That is fantastic, Yugi! Congratulations. You earned those grades and I am so proud of you."

"Thank you," the dying blush on Yugi's cheeks was rekindled with a vengeance.

"I have some great news for you as well little one!" Yami smiled.

"What news?" Yugi asked eager to hear what his taller look-a-like had to say.

"I spoke to Mrs. Whittmore today and explained the situation," A startled looked crossed Yugi's face, Yami raised his hands, "Don't worry, Yugi, I only told her the need-to-know stuff as we discussed before."

Yugi breathed a sigh of relief, "What did she say?"

"She said you are welcome to come back and work at the library with them. You can work part time at the Circulation Desk again for the summer and they will reevaluate you to see if you can stay for the fall semester." Yugi's mouth gaped open. Yami's crimson orbs saddened, "What's wrong Yugi? I thought you would be happy. You told me a few times you liked working at the library."

Yugi shook his head and blinked, "Oh I do! I am surprised they are letting me go back. Dominick had my brain so messed up and I put him above my job there when I shouldn't have. I didn't think they would ever let me back."

Yami's smile returned, "So you are happy?!"

Yugi squealed in excitement jumping out of the chair and landing in Yami's arms. The professor was not fully prepared for such a jump and took a few steps back and landed on the bed. Yugi erupted into giggles and Yami chuckled.

Yugi's giggle fit ceased suddenly, "Oh…."

Yami tilted his head, "But what if I'm not quite ready to go back to campus? And what if Dominick comes into the library and tries to take me back? And what if," Yami placed a finger over the youth's lips.

"Shhhh, Yugi. I promise you will be safe. I think now is a good time for you to start venturing back to campus. You may not think you are ready, but I know you are." Yami responded.

"But what if?" Yami's finger was placed back over Yugi's soft pink rose colored lips.

"You will be safe little one. The librarians will know to watch for him, if he does come in, you are able to go into the back where he will not be able to get to you. Campus security is just a phone call away; additionally, I will be there at the library as well. I have a few things I need to do to prepare for the fall classes. If we absolutely need to, we will get a restraining order placed on him. Okay?" Yami smiled a bright and confident smile at Yugi.

The youth returned his smile, "Thank you, Yami. I appreciate all of your help. I also want to say I am sorry."

Yami tilted his head, "For what?"

"For being such a burden these past seven months." Yugi's violet eyes looked down

"No, no Yugi," Yami embraced Yugi in a warm hug, "you are not a bother to me at all. I am happy to be able to help you and protect you. You are welcome to live here as long as you like," his crimson eyes smiling at the violet eyed youth.

"But you haven't been sleeping in your bed. You gave me your bed. You have been sleeping on your couch for seven months." Yugi's violet eyes held so much regret and sadness.

Yami gently raised Yugi's chin with two of his fingers so the boy would look him in the eyes, "I promise you, Yugi, you are not a burden and I do not mind the couch. It is very comfortable. Sometimes I even wonder if that couch is an alien in disguise," Yami joked.

Yugi raised an eyebrow, "Why do you say that?"

"Have you not noticed little one? Any time someone sits on that couch it is so comfortable that they fall asleep within ten minutes. You are included in that," Yami smiled as he traced a finger down the bridge of Yugi's nose.

Yugi wrinkled his little nose, "I do not."

Yami smiled, "You've fallen asleep on the couch at least five times so far."

"I don't remember that, every time I wake up, I am in the bed."

Yami smiled at him, "You are not hard to carry little one. I just move you to the bed when I am ready to sleep."

"You carry me?"

Yami nodded, "You are very light. It is really no trouble. I do not mind." Yugi's violet eyes captured the crimson orbs and would not release them. He smiled before placing a small kiss on Yami's cheek before standing and going back to the laptop. The crimson orbs blinked in surprise a few time while his fingers traced the place where Yugi had just kissed him.

Yami cleared his throat before standing, "So what are you up to now aibou?"

Yugi looked up at him as his small delicate fingers worked the keyboard typing remarkably fast, "I am just messing around online. I was checking grades before I fell asleep. Now I am just looking for something to do in the area that is cheap and does not involve going to campus."

"Hmm" Yami thought as he began to pace back and forth across the room, "Are you looking for fun classes to take or some activities to occupy your time?"

"I'm not sure yet. I have a very limited budget, the library does not pay very well; but that is expected for a student job," Yugi chuckled.

Yami's gaze turned soft, "Do not worry about cost, Yugi. Chose something you want to do and I will pay for it."

Yugi spun around, his eyes as wide as saucers, "You're joking?"

"I am not. I want you to have some fun. I have some spare cash," his eyebrows arched at his last statement, "available. Chose anything you want to do and I will cover it."

"I don't know what to say..except..thank you so much. I don't know how I can ever repay you for your kindness and generosity."

Yami smiled his brilliant smile, "Recover. Heal. That is all I want from you little one. I want you recover fully and I will do anything to see that happen. I promise you that, Yugi."

Yugi's smile faded.

"What's wrong?" Yami asked.

"I was just wondering about something you said a while back. I've never forgotten about it and I can't get it out of my head." Yugi's gaze searched his professor's expression wondering if he should bring up the topic now.

"Oh? What did I say that you are so curious about?"

"I am still curious as to why you know so much about my abuse recovery. You mentioned that you had been through a similar situation." Yugi hesitated before he pushed further, "What happened to you?"

Yami's crimson eyes were unfocused as memories of his past came flooding over him.

"If you don't want to tell me, I understand. It is your business," Yugi added quietly.

"I will tell you, Yugi." Yami let out a long sigh, "It was a while ago. I was younger than you are now; high school age. My first boyfriend was one of the star jocks of the school. Our relationship started out slow and progressed quickly. A little too quickly for my liking. He became possessive over me. I could not have contact with any of my friends. All spare time was spent with him. He made me think that no one else wanted me. We fought often. I tried to escape many times; each time he would come after me and beat me within an inch of my life."

"Oh Ra, Yami!" Yugi gasped at him.

Yami continued, "One of the last fights we had he was with a group of other jocks. All of them drunk. I asked him to take me home and he refused. They began making fun of me. The last thing I remember was each of them taking their "turn" to…" Yami gulped. A look of shame filled his eyes.

Yugi stood and crossed the room to sit next to Yami on the bed, "You don't have to tell me if you don't' want to."

Yami shook his head, "No I will tell you, it is just a very hard memory to revisit." The crimson eyed man sighed before continuing on, "They each took their turn to have their way with me. They raped me. Two would hold me down while the others would touch, poke, prod, and penetrate me."

Yugi's violet eyes filled with tears.

"They left me alone to die on the side of the road. Someone found me the next morning and took me to the hospital. I had a few fractured ribs, bruises all over my body, and my right wrist was broken. I had dirt all over my face and in my mouth." He captured Yugi's gaze in his own, "I know what you are going through Yugi because I went through the same recovery process."

Yugi's mouth was gaping at the taller man. Yami smiled as he used two of his fingers to push up on Yugi's chin thus closing his mouth. A smile crossed his lips, "I am fine now, Yugi. As much as that part of my past hurts, it has made me stronger."

Yugi threw his arms around his older doppelganger crying into Yami's shoulder, "I can't believe that happened to you!"

Yami smiled, "I am okay little one, as will you be too after some time."

Yugi tightened his embrace on Yami, "Thank you for telling me."

Yami nodded, "Thank you for listening."

\/\/\/

The tri-colored look alikes walked into the library. Yami leaned closer to the violet eyed youth to whisper in Yugi's ear, his baritone voice sending delicious chills down his spine. Yugi shivered. "I will be in library on the opposite side as the circulation desk while you are working, if Dominick comes after you come find me."

Yugi nodded and smiled to him. He looked over at the circulation desk and smiled at Yessi. He loved working with this youthful brunet. Yugi waved to Yami before going through the little wooden swinging gate separating the circulation desk and the back from the rest of the library.

Yami returned the wave and went in the other direction.

"Hi Yessi!" Yugi waved excitedly at the woman."

"Hey short stuff!" Yessi hopped off of the chair to give Yugi a suffocating hug. "I missed you little guy! Where have you been?"

Yugi blushed as he rubbed the back of his head nervously, "Um, I would prefer not to talk about it."

"Okay! I'm just happy to have you back!"

"Thanks! I am happy to be back." Yugi sat down in the chair next to the one Yessi was sitting in.

\/\/\/

Near the end of his shift, Yugi was pushing a cart of books through the stacks as he put the returned books in their correct locations throughout the massive five story library. He was humming quietly to himself as he put the books away.

"I bet you thought that little disappearing act was real cute."

Yugi dropped the book he was holding. His blood ran cold, "D..D..Dom…." He slowly turned to face his blue eyed tormentor, "What are you doing here?"

"Awww, no I missed you Dom, I am happy to see you Dom, how are you Dom?" His voice was low and cold.

"So what's up?" Yugi asked quietly as he felt behind him for an especially heavy book.

Dominick scoffed, "You are so useless Yugi. Too bad Yami found you when he did. You were doing the world a favor by overdosing."

Yugi gulped, "That's..not…true," he fought back the tears.

A devilish smile crossed Dominick's lips, "Of course it is. You are such a little…OW! Holy shit, Yugi! What did you do that for?" Yugi was holding an especially thick and heavy book in his hand. Said book had just made contact with Dominick's head. Yugi dropped the book and ran for the stairs to head down to the floor where the circulation desk was. Dominick growled low in his throat as he followed Yugi.

Yugi ran down the stairs and turned in the direction opposite of the circulation desk. His violet orbs frantically searching for Yami. Running past several rows of books he began to panic the longer he couldn't find him.

"Yugi?" the petite youth spun around searching for the familiar baritone voice. Yami emerged from behind one of the book shelves, "What's wrong?"

Yugi gasped for breath, "Dominick's here."

"What? Where?"

Yugi turned to look in the direction he had just come. Dominick followed him and was quickly approaching the boy. Yugi gulped, "There" he pointed.

"Leave this to me."

Yami patted Yugi's back before approaching Dominick, "Haven't you done enough damage?" Yami growled quietly.

"Oh back off, teach. This is between me and the twerp." Dominick went to side step Yami and Yami stepped to block him.

"No. You deal with me. Also, I thought I told you to never speak to him."

Dominick rolled his eyes, "So. You won't do anything to me."

"Don't be so sure about that kid." Yami growled. Dominick tried to side step him again finding himself running into a firm muscular chest.

"Let me just talk to him." The blue eyed boy spat at Yami his voice dripping with hate.

"No," Yami squared his shoulders making him look taller and more intimidating. "Leave now before this gets ugly."

Dominick glared at the taller of the two tri-colored look-a-likes before his blue eyes looked past him and to Yugi, "This isn't over twerp." Dominick turned and walked away. Yami's crimson gaze followed him as he left.

Yugi ran to Yami and flung his arms at the elder tears bursting through, "Thank you, Yami. Thank you for protecting me again."

Yami gently patted Yugi's back, "My pleasure little one. I told you I would never let him hurt you again." The tear stained violet eyes looked up into crimson.

"I need to finish putting the books away upstairs, would you please come with me?" Yugi asked shyly.

Yami nodded, "I will." He gathered his things before following Yugi upstairs where he left the cart.

\/\/\/

Yugi rubbed his sleepy eyes as he walked into the living room and towards the kitchen. He didn't see Yami anywhere this morning. He made his way into the kitchen where he saw a note in the familiar neat script with a pile of bills on top of it. Yugi's eyes grew wide, "What is this?" His violet eyes scanned the neat script of the note:

Dearest Yugi,

I needed to go to campus for a while today to prepare for fall classes and speak with the department chairman. Here is some cash for you to enroll in whatever fun class or activity you want to do. Also I have left you some cash for cab fair. I will see you later today aibou.

Yours,

Yami

Yugi's eyes widened at the pile of cash, /This is all for ME!?/ Yugi counted the money that Yami left behind. There was $80 dollars in cash. /Oh Yami, I can't take this much from you./

A shrill ringing broke the silence and brought him back from his thoughts. He walked over to the phone resting on the counter, "Hello?"

"Good morning, Yugi."

The tri-colored youth smiled, "Morning, Yami. So you will be on campus for a while today?"

"That's correct. I will be home a little bit later. Did you find the cash?" There was a pause. "Yugi? Are you there?"

"Yes. I am here. Yami I can't take this much from you." Yugi spoke softly.

"Of course you can little one. If you need more for whatever activity you decide on, just let me know and I will give it to you."

Yugi's jaw dropped, "Yami that is very kind of you but I just couldn't."

Yugi could hear Yami's smile, even though the phone, "Please, Yugi. Take the money. I want you to be happy and I want you to do something fun that is just for you."

"Okay. Thank you so much, Yami."

"You are very welcome. I have to go but I will see you later."

"Okay, I will see you later, Yami." They both hung up the phones. Yugi picked up the cash that Yami left for him. He knew exactly what he wanted to do with it. He wanted to take self-defense classes. This was his chance to learn how to defend himself.