A/N: Welcome to chapter 11 of Overcoming Differences!

Still looking for a freaking job…it sucks…

But while I'm applying to whatever interesting application comes my way I'm learning more and more about creative writing. The course I'm taking is a lot different from what I took years ago when I was still in university. I'm gaining a lot more insight in how I work, and what I could do to make my work better. Hopefully that'll also show in my FF writing, though with the course I'm also working towards an original story.

Without further ado, I'll let you get to reading this new chapter. Remember that I don't own Yu-gi-oh! or any of its characters, that mobiumshipping rocks, and that I love reviews.

Enjoy!

0o0o0

Reconnect

"But Dartz, I just want to call them to tell them at what time they can expect me to be home tomorrow." Yami argued with his manager. Today was finally the day. The day that Yami would perform his last concert before his tour was over. He would go straight to the airport afterwards so that he would be back with his boyfriends tomorrow.

Dartz looked at the young singer with disapproval, "You know how I feel about you contacting anyone while on tour Yami. They know the specifics of your arrival tomorrow, so that should be sufficient for them."

"You're so paranoid! What's the harm in taking a one-minute phone call?" Yami argued back again.

Dartz shook his head, "There's no harm other than the fact that it's unnecessary, and there's a great chance that this 'one-minute phone call' will become much longer than that and distract you from your performance tonight."

"It won't. Look, I'm tired after being on this tour for four months. It's been the longest I have been without them and you know it. It would have been longer if Atem hadn't decided to pay a visit while we were in Tokyo, and you know how much energy I got from that. Please, I just want to hear their voices."

"You can hear them again tomorrow, and that's that." Dartz said with finality, unwilling to change his standpoint and give in to the charge's simple request.

Yami fought to remain calm. It was just so unfair! He wondered whether the situation would have been different if he had had a single girlfriend. Or a single boyfriend even. Everything that Dartz decreed and restricted was always under the banner of protecting him and his identity, but the only reason it had to be protected was because of his polyamorous relationship with two other men. He had sucked it up for a long time, but it was getting ridiculous. It made him vindictive, trying to find some way to step on Dartz's tail in order to win the argument after all.

"Then why are you allowed to call your wife and daughter whenever you wish to?" He demanded to know.

Dartz stiffened slightly, and Yami would have regretted his question if he wasn't so wound up, "You know very well why it is important for me to keep in touch with my family." Dartz said in a low tone that spoke of his displeasure, "You know that I've been keeping tabs on my daughter's recovery ever since her condition worsened."

Two emotions clashed inside Yami's heart. On one end he still felt sorry about his manager's daughter. He knew that even though she had seemed to recover just fine from het motorcycle accident, the blow to the head she'd received turned out to be more serious after all. Some parts of her brain had suffered some damage and she was still struggling to recover. Dartz had been worried sick and nearly called the remainder of the tour off if it wasn't for his wife again telling him that it wasn't necessary. Still, he had been calling her nearly every day to make sure everything was all right.

This part of Yami wanted to drop the issue. Normally Dartz also wouldn't have much contact with his family during a tour either, but this situation had called for a change in his discourse. On the other end Yami's frustration over not being able to call Yugi and Atem still reigned his senses. He wasn't even allowed to contact his boyfriends at all. No phone calls, not even emails. The situation was unfair to begin with, but he normally took it in stride, trusting Dartz to know what was best and accepting that he had brought this situation upon himself by having two guys as his lovers. But now that he had been away from said lovers for so long his need to have even an inkling of contact with them grew too great to accept it now. He just couldn't really care that his manager was in a horrible situation at the moment.

"That still gives you no right to dismiss my need to keep tabs on my boyfriends, and deny me one simple phone call." Yami muttered through clenched teeth.

"May I remind you Yami, that you agreed to this arrangement upon signing your contract with Atlantis." Dartz responded, his demeanour composed, but his posture still stiff, "You agreed that I had clearly stated the problems with your choice of type of relationship, and that you would follow my directions in making sure that it wouldn't harm both your own and Atlantis's reputations. In so doing you let me handle all necessary communications with Yugi and Atem and instead focus on your career. I have fulfilled my obligations by timely informing them of your arrival. Now all that I ask is that you fulfil yours."

"But…" Yami sighed, unable to argue anymore after Dartz had brought up the terms of his contract that he had knowingly signed, "It's been so long." He eventually said, looking down at his feet in sadness.

Dartz's posture relaxed somewhat, and he reached out a hand to place it on the young singer's shoulder in a gesture of comfort, "You will see them soon enough. And since this tour has been long and taxing on the both of us I was planning on giving us both some time off once we get back."

Yami looked back up, wearing a hopeful expression on his face, "Really?"

Dartz nodded, "I want to be there for my wife and daughter, and even after that I think it'll be a good idea to stay near home for a while. You'll get all the time in the world to spend with Yugi and Atem."

A smile made its way on Yami's face. Relief flooded through him, and his frustration evaporated like snow before the sun. He was looking forward to be able to spend some more time with his boyfriends. He would still have to work of course. Interviews, photo shoots and writing new songs were also a part of his job, but he could handle it if it meant he could either work from home or go home at the end of the day. That prospect was enough to make him forget his need to give them a call right now.

0o0o0

Finally. After so many hours of waiting he was finally standing in front of his house. He turned around to thank Rafael for dropping him off. It was an arrangement they had made early on in Yami's career. A limousine would attract too much attention for not only Dartz's liking, but Yami's too. Even though he was an international pop star and had the money to buy everything his heart desired, he rather lived a simple and quiet life while he was at home. Beneath all the fame he had as Pharaoh he was still simply Yami Sennen, an ordinary guy. Rafael didn't mind. The security guard lived nearby anyway, and this way Yami's homecoming couldn't be any more covert.

Suddenly the front door was thrown open and Atem marched outside. Yami felt his stomach flutter with happiness upon seeing him, and even though he was tired, he smiled a big smile. Without any hesitation Atem grabbed him in a tight hug, making Yami feel more welcome than he could ever feel. Every loving emotion Atem felt was conveyed in that hug. Yes, he was home again.

"Atem!" Another voice called from behind the addressee. Yami lifted his head from Atem's shoulder to see Yugi rolling up to meet him too, though he was looking displeased at something, "Stop hogging up Yami all to yourself. I want to welcome him home too."

Atem hummed and released his grip on the singer, turning around to face his other boyfriend while keeping an arm around the former's shoulders, "And how much are you willing to pay for that squirt? Remember, this is an international pop star. Touching him is more valuable than just getting an autograph."

Yami laughed and smacked Atem playfully on the head, "Cut it out Atem, or I'll hold you up to your own claim and make you pay for hugging me."

Atem laughed along, happy that Yami could still appreciate and counter his silly jokes even after several month of not being together, and released him.

"Seriously though. As soon as Atem saw Rafael's car he stormed outside without even waiting for me to get off the couch." Yugi said with annoyance, but it was soon forgotten when Yami walked up to him. Instead he flashed his returning lover a big, happy smile and stretched out his arms to receive the hug he was about to get.

Yami leaned forward and grabbed him in the same tight hug Atem had given him. He realized that he had missed his disabled boyfriend even more than his obnoxious one. At least he had seen Atem while he had been on tour, but he had only spoken to Yugi briefly on the phone back then. It felt good to see that he was all right with his own two eyes. He couldn't help be worry about him when he wasn't nearby. He trusted Atem to keep Yugi safe and happy, but he just couldn't help it. His need to care for the disabled young man just ran too deeply to put it aside completely.

Atem observed as the two hugged, not missing the emotions that literally waved off of them. He knew it was different with him. He was more detached to begin with, trusting in their ability to take care of themselves, both Yami and Yugi. It was what made him who he was, but he didn't feel any pang of jealousy or sadness towards them. Just because they all reacted differently to each other, or felt slightly different towards one or the other, it didn't mean that one emotion held any more value than the other. They were a unity, and it would stay that way.

Even though he could have watched the two reunite for much longer, Atem turned around to Rafael, who was still waiting in his car, also observing Yami's homecoming with a smile, "Thanks for bringing him home Rafael."

Rafael made a dismissive gesture with his hand, "You know it's no problem Atem."

Atem nodded, "Want to come in for a while?" He invited his best friend.

Rafael glanced at the two others, who had by now let go of one another and were talking animatedly, "Nah, I'll leave you three lovebirds to get reacquainted with one another. I wouldn't want to be in the way."

Atem clasped his best friend's shoulder with a smile, "I guess you would be." He grinned, knowing exactly what Rafael was referring to, "But perhaps you'd like to come on over tomorrow for dinner? I'd like to catch up with you too."

Rafael smiled back and patted Atem's hand in reassurance, "Sure, I'd love to."

With that Rafael started his car again and drove off with a wave. Atem returned the gesture before he turned back around. He saw how Yami stopped talking and leaned in to give Yugi a kiss, which the latter accepted heartily. He sniggered as the kiss lasted longer than a simple peck on the lips. It was clear that the two were craving for one another, "Oi, mind the neighbours you two." He called out with a grin.

The two disengaged en Yami turned his head to glare at his other boyfriend, "What about them? They all know about us." He retorted.

Yugi chuckled at Yami's uncharacteristic reply. The singer usually wouldn't respond that way. Instead he would look around sheepishly with a blush and usher them all inside, "Impatient much, sweetheart?" Yugi said sweetly.

Yami returned his attention back to Yugi, and gave him another kiss before he murmured against the other's lips, "You have no idea, aibou."

"All the more reason to quickly head inside now, right?" Atem declared. He had walked up to the pair while they were having another private moment and had heard what Yami had said. To emphasize his point he walked to the back of Yugi's wheelchair and took the handles to turn him around and push him back inside the house.

"Oh, now you suddenly want to help me out." Yugi reacted good naturedly, referring back to how Atem had basically left him to fend for himself when Yami had only just arrived, "Afraid you're going to be left out, tiger?"

"Not a chance."

Yami smiled as he saw his two boyfriends retreat back into the house, following them himself at a close distance. He was happy to see that nothing between them had changed while he was away. They were still the two people he knew and loved when he'd left them behind. The familiarity was soothing, and it almost even felt that he hadn't been gone at all. He was now truly home and ready to take back his place in their life.

Though, there was one thing that was different. He noticed how Yugi had called Atem 'tiger', which he had never heard him do before. He wondered what was the reason behind it, "What's up with that nickname aibou?"

Yugi turned his head to look at him and smiled, "It's my new nickname for Atem." He explained, "It just felt so odd that you and I have nicknames while Atem didn't have one."

"I didn't mind having no nickname at first." Atem added, "But Yugi was adamant and spent a long time trying to find one. In the end this one just popped out, and he's been calling me that ever since."

By this time they had arrived in their living room. Yami flopped down in the middle of the couch with a tired sigh. Atem joined him on his right side, wrapping an arm around his shoulders, while Yugi parked his wheelchair and joined them on Yami's left side, snuggling under the latter's arm.

"So I guess I'll also have to find a name then." Yami sighed contently, closing his eyes as he relaxed in his boyfriends' presences, "It'll be weird if I'm the only one calling one of us by their name."

"Perhaps Yugi will make you a list with all the names he's tried already. Saves you a lot of work." Atem quipped, causing Yami to crack open an eye to regard him in confusion, "Don't ask." Atem replied to the unspoken question, "Let's just say that it took a while before Yugi came up with it."

Yugi chuckled and reached out to poke Atem, "But you like me calling you tiger now, don't you tiger?" He said the last bit in a sultry voice.

Atem swallowed thickly before Yami burst out in laughter, "Gosh you two." He gasped, "Don't forget that I'm here as well."

Both Atem and Yugi laughed along, "We won't darling." Atem drawled, "We've finally got you back, so we're not about to forget."

The three of them laughed some more before they were interrupted by the ringing of Yugi's cell phone. With a slight annoyance for having their moment interrupted Yugi took the device out of his pocket and checked the caller id. Seeing that it was Joey, Yugi answered it, "What's up Joey?"

"Hey Yug'." The blonde greeted him back cheerfully, "Listen bud, Serenity was planning on going to a concert tonight with a friend of hers, but she got sick. Instead she gave the tickets to me, so would you like to come along?"

"Sounds like fun Joey, but Yami just got home." Yugi replied with a bit of hesitation. Under any other circumstance he would have loved to hang out with his best friend.

"Oh yeah! I totally forgot about that." Joey replied enthusiastically, not seeming to be disappointed in any way, "So I guess you'd rather stay at home then tonight?"

"Yeah, I hope you don't mind."

"Nah, it's all right bud. I would probably do the same thing." He reassured him, making Yugi feel better.

"Why don't you ask Seto to come along?" Yugi inquired, wondering why the blonde hadn't asked the stoic brunette first.

Joey sniggered, "Dude, imagine Seto Kaiba at a concert among hundreds of screaming girls and boys."

With the image now planted in his head Yugi couldn't keep from sniggering himself, "Culture shock."

"Culture shock indeed." Joey agreed firmly, "Well I might as well ask him now that you're unavailable. Who knows, it might actually be fun. It might even help improve his social skills."

Yugi smiled as he shook his head in amusement, "Don't push him too much Joey." He warned him.

"Nah, don't worry Yug'. It'll be fine. I've got mister stick-up-his-butt wrapped around my finger. But anyway, I'm not going to keep you away from your reunion with Yami much longer. See you later alright?"

"Yeah, see you Joey. Have fun tonight."

"I will, and say hi to Yami from me."

"I will. Bye." Yugi ended the call and put his phone back into his pocket, "Joey says hi."

"What did he want, squirt?" Atem asked him, curious about the conversation of which he only heard one side of.

"He's got some tickets for a concert tonight because Serenity's friend got sick. He wanted to know whether I wanted to go." Yugi explained as he snuggled back in Yami's side, "But I'm not going anywhere tonight."

Yami hummed and gently squeezed his disabled boyfriend to his side to show his appreciation, yet at the same time he also sported a confused expression, "Could you guys explain to me why Joey Wheeler and Seto Kaiba were mentioned in the same conversation?"

Atem chuckled in amusement, "Because they're an item now." He replied casually.

Yami blinked and regarded Atem as if he had grown a second head, "How in the world is that even possible?" He said sceptically, "I mean, they are like complete opposites. Just…how?"

"It's a long story." Yugi sighed, "And even now I don't really understand how they're making it work, but they do."

"In short Seto developed a crush on Joey, and Joey thought to give it a try." Atem continued, "Joey walked out on their first date, but Seto kept relentlessly pursuing him. They eventually started writing letters to each other, and sometime after that their feelings started growing. They've been together now for some three weeks."

"It's so weird, you know." Yugi added, "They argue a lot, because Joey is trying to get Seto to loosen up a bit, and Seto just gets frustrated over it. And still they manage to pull through somehow."

Atem sighed, "Well I for one am glad I'm not in Joey's shoes. I may have a weird relationship, but at least I can explain why I love you guys."

Yami hummed, and turned a bit so he was leaning more into Atem, "And why do you love me then?" He murmured softly.

Atem gently cupped the singer's face with his hand and looked him into his eyes, "I love you for your caring nature towards others. I love you for making me a better person because of it. I love you for your trust in me to take care of Yugi in your absence, and your trust in my loyalty towards you. I love you for following your dreams without holding back. And I love you for taking me as I am and deal with it in your own way."

Yami looked back into Atem's eyes, seeing the sincerity shining through them with every word that he spoke. A feeling of pure love welled up in his stomach. To be loved and accepted so was something he would never exchange for anything in the entire world. How could he be so lucky to have Atem in his life? What did he do to deserve him?

Yami closed his eyes and leaned in closer to capture his boyfriend's lips in a passionate kiss. He felt the same way. He loved Atem for his strife to push those he loves to their limit. He loved Atem for striving to be better himself. He loved Atem for being able to trust Yugi to his care and being able to trust his loyalty. He loved Atem for letting him follow his dreams. And he loved Atem just for who he was as a whole.

Yugi watched his two other boyfriends kiss while wiping away a tear. The scene he had just witnessed had made him feel sentimental. It was just so beautiful to see them reconnect on such a deep level right before his eyes that he could not help but shed a tear of happiness. Even though he was left out at the moment, he knew that Atem would utter similar words to him should he ask, and that Yami would too. He wrapped his arms around Yami's waist, who was now fully turned away from him, and placed his head against the singer's back, silently conveying the same message.

Yami broke his kiss with Atem and leaned back into Yugi's embrace, whispering a soft thank you to him. While the two remained like this it was now Atem's turn to regard them. One thought in particular struck him. That the image was now complete. Even though he wanted Yami to pursue his dreams at the cost of being away from home for long periods of time, the image just wasn't complete without him. Seeing the two of them together while exchanging soft loving comments to one another was much more satisfying than seeing just Yugi snuggle up against him.

"You know Atem?" Yami spoke up, breaking Atem out of his musings, "I think I already know what to call you."

"And what's that darling?" Atem asked with interest.

"You are always there, caring for us. You watch over us while we set out what we need to do. You're like a leader who accepts his responsibility towards those under his care. You can be wild and playful. In all ways, you remind me of a wolf, and we are your pack." Yami said warmly.

Yugi smiled, "You're right sweetheart." He murmured softly while looking up at Atem, "You do resemble a wolf, tiger. And now you'll even have matching nicknames."

Atem smiled widely and warmly, liking the new nickname. It had everything he wanted of a nickname. It had a meaning, it was tough, it fit him to a T and it had sprouted from a sudden observation. Wolf. Yes, he liked it a lot.

But then his smile suddenly turned mischievous. Both the other young men knew that look and swallowed nervously. True to one of Yami's definitions Atem was getting playful. He suddenly pounced on the other two, pushing them back on the couch while making sure not to hurt them, and grinned, "A playful wolf nips and licks and howls to keep in touch with its family. Just wanted you to know what you've set loose." He declared before throwing his head back and howl loudly. After a short while he grinned at his boyfriends and leaned down to lick and nip at any skin he could get to. Yami took the brunt of it, for he was within easier reach for Atem.

Yami and Yugi roared with laughter. Yami was doing his best to bat his 'wolf' away with his hands, but Atem was relentless. He caught Yami's wrists to stop his movements as he continued without falter.

"Aibou help me!" Yami called out between his laughs.

Yugi tried his best to do so, but because Yami was lying partly on top of him he was restricted in his movements, careful not to accidently hit either of them. But then he got another idea, "Have you checked him for rabies Yami?" He asked, causing Atem to stop to regard him in confusion, "If he's got rabies then we'll have to put him down." He explained.

Atem went along with the joke and pouted, whimpering like a dog, "You wouldn't do that to me, right?" He asked while he kept the silly pout on his face, "I'll be a good wolfie. I swear!"

The whole display was just too much for the two to keep a straight face, and they both burst out laughing again. Atem also just couldn't keep it up either, and joined them. They remained like that for a long while. Even though they eventually got themselves together and Atem allowed Yugi and Yami to sit back up, the remainder of the afternoon and the early evening was spent with them reconnecting again after Yami's long absence. They kissed, told them how much they loved each other. They fooled around, laughing at each other's jokes and silliness.

Yes, Yami was truly back home. And the trio was now finally complete again.

0o0o0

A/N: Dun Dun Dun! Before I started writing this chapter I was fairly sceptical about which turns this story had taken. I hadn't written down any plot , but instead took it as it came. It was a challenge, and a fun one at that, but I have confirmed to myself that I need to work out a storyline if I want to feel more confident about it, and take more pleasure out of writing it.

That said I actually had a blast writing this chapter. It was amazing how some things that I wanted to address just seemed to fit together like the pieces of a puzzle. I love it and I hope you do too.

Now this may sound like this is the last chapter. Guess again! There is still one scene that I've been working towards since the beginning of the story. I've also decided to go a little bit deeper into Chris's accident, and let that move to the end of the story. Everything will come full circle eventually, and all the loose ends will be tied together. There'll be more chapters than I expected at first, but I think you won't complain ^_^.

Next chapter: Remember Yugi's surprise for Yami he had been working towards? Well Yami is going to get it.