YES! I finally got his bear of a chapter up. Sorry for the antagonizing wait: my usual excuse College and writer's block: of COURSE once i FINALLY get a drop dead idea fot this chap that will make it much better than the lame filler i thought it would be, I have two weeks worth of homework to keep me busy, and then it becomes over 20 pages, but i found the perfect place to split this chap and good news is once i get the next chap back from my beta you will all have another chapter to read, and now i can start writing the fun part just before The bomb exploded :evilgrin:

I wanted this up two weeks ago but like i said college: for both me and my beta but enough of my bablbling

Disclaimer: I won nothing but the clothes and the frost fairies (yugi's outfit in this is based off one of my own down to the boots) Yugioh belongs to Takehashi.

Dedications: To all of my wonderful fans for their fantastic support and patience and for letting me know how i inspire them which means so much to me. And of course special shout out to Espi for taking the time off from her busy scedule to edit these things up for me and for just being an awesome beta! you rock girl!

As always read, review, critique, comment, ask questions and if you don't like something GIVE EM A REASON! I accept flames but ONLY if they have a point.


Part XI

When they arrived back at the palace, Yami landed so carefully that Yugi barely felt it. Instead, he closed his eyes and shamelessly snuggled against the King's chest. Kami, he was becoming such a flirt.

"Comfy?" Yami asked, teasingly.

"Very much so." Yugi yawned, keeping his eyes closed. "For a frost fairy, you are nice and cozy."

Yami's smile grew at that. He entered the palace through the back deck. The glass doors opened for their Master and closed silently behind him. Instead of flying back to his room he walked the rest of the way, not wanting to disturb the cute image Yugi's sleeping from created. Yami chuckled. "You are so adorable."

Yugi blushed in his semi-sleep and buried his face deeper into Yami's chest, subconsciously hoping to hide it. What was he doing? He was 22 years old and he was being carried princess style by someone almost thirty years older than him, and the only thing he found awkward or weird was that Yami was teasing him. It was weird how natural all this felt: how comfortable he was sleeping in Yami's arms, the soothing, shivering touch of Yami's soft, cold skin. Right now he was too comfy to care. He just wanted to fall asleep and never wake up.

Yami smiled at Yugi's new cuddly side, enjoying it very much. He stretched his wings and walked until he levitated off the ground. He flew to his room, where he deposited his burden on the furs. Yugi whined like a child, not wanting to be put down, and clenched onto Yami's clothing with tight fingers. Yami couldn't help but laugh at the cuteness and carefully unwound Yugi's fingers before laying him on the bed. The boy was adorable. "You sleep like a little kid." He stroked Yugi's bangs before leaving the get changed.

He flapped over to his wardrobe and slipped into a black silk tunic and light pants. The light clothing felt wonderful against his skin. The slippery material slid over his soft wings letting them slide through the holes in the back.

He turned around and paused in mid-step. Yugi sat on his bed, dressed in a pixie cut bell-sleeved tunic, the hems and sleeves flared over his wrists and hips in petal-like shapes with a matching pair of pants. Though the material was thick and by no means silky or see through, it hugged every lovely curve of Yugi's body. The cute sleepiness on his face and his half-lidded eyes made him look adorable and, to Yami, irresistible.

"Yugi, what are you wearing?" He asked as a breath almost caught in his throat.

Yugi rubbed his eyes sleepily and looked down at his chosen attire. He shrugged. "They were on my bed and had my name on them. They looked comfortable, so I put them on." Yugi explained, lying down and rolling onto his side.

Upon close inspection, Yami could clearly see the word YUGI written over the front of the top in brilliant gold embroidery, leading him to conclude that Syrus must've brought them. He smiled and took long strides to his bed, and wrapped Yugi up in the toasty furs before sliding in himself. "Sleep well, little angel," Yami smiled, unable to resist kissing Yugi's forehead before falling to sleep himself. Yugi smiled and moved and little closer, snuggling against the King.


When Yugi awoke the next morning, he felt something heavy and hot over his feet making them sweaty and uncomfortable. He whined and tried to pull them out but found them pinned down by something heavy and muscled. He groaned and tried to bury himself back into the warmth surrounding him but he couldn't move around with his feet pinned. He peeked an eye open and immediately regretted it when harsh light blared from overhead making him cover his eyes. Yugi growled and forced himself into a sitting position only to find Silver Fang looking at him. Yugi swore he could see a smirk on the wolf's muzzle. Before Yugi could scold him, for ruining his sleep the wolf bounded forward, placed its heavy paws in Yugi's lap, and started licking his cheek.

"Hey!" Yugi protested. "Stop that! Cut it out," he fought back laughter but the playful wolf dragged it out of him, until he fell back and crashed into his bed mate.

Yami, already half-asleep from Yugi's movements, was rudely forced in to wakefulness when the heavy weight of Yugi and Silver Fang combined crashed into his stomach. He hissed angrily and snapped "Silver Fang! That's enough," he scolded the wolf.

Silver Fang pouted but obeyed and hopped off Yugi. He strolled to a thick pillow, wound himself around it, and plopped down.

"That has got to be the worst way to wake up in the morning," Yugi complained, wiping slobber off his face.

Yami chuckled at the site of Yugi pouting and grumpy, unable to resist how cute it looks. "I disagree; I rather like Silver Fang waking me. It allows me to prepare for—"

Before Yami could finish his sentence the door to his room burst open, slamming against the wall with a thud so loud the room shook with thunder. Both men jumped at the sound and Silver Fang rushed to bury his nose under the bed. The attack was so sudden and powerful both men were stunned more by who caused it rather than the actual event. Syrus stood in the doorway flashing a huge, giddy smile, a pile of clothes clutched tightly to his chest in one arm. His bright, exuberant eyes betrayed the heavy black bags forming under the rims of his glasses.

"Morning!" he announced then bounced across the room and plopped the pile into Yugi's lap! "I'm so glad you're awake, Yugi! I finished your outfit. It took me all night but I wanted to get it done, it'll look perfect on you! See," grabbed the top cloth revealing a light off forest green tunic with long flare sleeves and dark gold buttons decorated with vines down the front with a green belt to go around the waist. More buttons were on the sleeves, in case he wanted to button up the wrists, and the collar folded down neatly. Yugi had to admit, it looked lovely. He liked it a lot, but the material looked far too light for him to wear in the winter time.

"Try it on!" Syrus urged tugging on his wrists, almost dragging him out of bed and towards Yami's changing wall. Yugi turned to the Frost King with pleading eyes but the King just laughed and threw up his hands. "Sorry, little one, but you're on your own."

"Traitor," Yugi growled blushing when he found himself in the dark corner of the room, clothes clutched in his arms with only the fold up wall to protect himself from the wondering eyes of the other side.

"Hurry up! I wanna see how it looks!" Syrus said eagerly. Unable to bear the thought of disappointing the boy, Yugi sighed in defeat, quickly stripped his wool pajamas, and pulled on the clothes. To his surprise the outfit also consisted of a comfy, black sweater made from a flexible material that hugged his form and felt warm against his skin. Matching pants molded his legs like a second skin. The tunic slipped over the material perfectly. He did the buttons and tightened the belt fitting it through the dusky gold buckle. Syrus even bought him matching green snow boots with dusky gold buckles which he eagerly slipped on.

Once he was dressed, he spun round, inspecting the outfit from all angles, and found that he enjoying the style. It was much more flexible than any of his skating outfits had been. "I love it, Sy," he complimented and slipped out from behind the wall.

A rush of triumph rushed through him when he saw Yami's wide-eyed expression. He looked at Yugi, pleased, and couldn't take his eyes off him. Yugi sweetened the pot by spinning around, so the tunic bounced up his hips before falling back down to his thighs. "What do you think?" Yugi teased. Oh Kami when did he become such a flirt? "Do you think it looks good?"

"Very much," Yami licked his lips.

Syrus hopped off the bed clapping his hand together in sheer delight. His grin became so wide it nearly consumed his face. "You look spectacular!" Syrus cheered, bouncing around Yugi to examine the outfit from all angles. "I knew you'd look good in green, and Mana said it was too much black! Ha!" The boy turned around and threw up a victory punch.

Yami laughed and finally removed himself from his bed and wrapped his arms around Yugi. The young man blushed at the close contact, especially when found the king flashing the same half-lidded grin he himself has sported not two minutes ago. "You do look wonderful, my dear. Now, I can't wait to see what Mana and Syrus have planned for you to wear to the Winter Festival tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Yugi gasped, "So soon?" had so much time really passed without his knowledge?

Yami nodded. "Yes, little one. The marks the longest night of the year. That is when the celebration continues until sunrise on the third day. Does that makes sense?"

"Sort of" Yugi shook his hand in a vaguely understanding motion.

Syrus giggled. "It's okay Yugi. Fairies don't calculate time the same way humans do, the only reason papa knows anything about it is because of the four of us showed him how to use a calendar."

"Oh, right" but Yugi wasn't paying attention. Instead, Yami spun Yugi around so they were facing each other, both of them forgetting Syrus and Silver Fang were still in the room. Their eyes met again, blazing with sweet tenderness and loving desire. Time and space once again lost to them they moved closer, moving to repeat their actions the previous evening, but before they could, a loud rumble destroyed the moment.

Yugi went beet red with mortified horror when he realized the sound was his own stomach. He covered his mouth; an embarrassed hand moved to touch his stomach as if to silence it. But Yami simply chuckled and leaned over to poke Yugi's flat stomach. "It seems someone is hungry" Yami teased, making Yugi's blush deepen.

Yami turned to Syrus and ordered, "Syrus, go get your brothers and meet us in the dining room for breakfast."

Syrus froze as if suddenly remembering where he was and whirled around with a nervous laugh. "Of course" he covered his mouth to stifle his giggles when he saw the position his father and Yugi were in. He burst from the room without another word. His pearls of laughter could be heard all the way from down the hallway.

They walked to the dining room together, their hands cupped together. Silver Fang strutting about them like a puppy, wagging his tail. The King had once again donned a complex kimono-like attire and robe that hung off his shoulders that he explained to Yugi he'd need for later in order to oversee the preparations for the festivities. The whole thing looked so thick and heavy Yugi couldn't understand how the King wasn't melting from it, but Yami only laughed at his curiosity and kissed his forehead. Through the crimson curtains he could already hear the chaos of the Frost King's adoptive sons enjoying their morning.

Yami snapped his fingers. The curtains parted on their own accord. Silver Fang bounded inside and took his seat next to the pillow reserved for the king and snapped a huge fruit tart off the table and started devouring it. The action stunned Yugi, and he looked at Yami bewildered as to why no one was commenting on it.

"Is he allowed to do that?" Yugi asked.

Yami blinked. "Jaden always eats like that," Yami gestured with his thumb towards his middle child. Said boy was currently digging the fruit out of a large tart with a spoon and shoving it into his mouth, leaving behind the flaky crust. Across from him Chazz snorted and shook his head in disgust; one leg folded beneath him the other propped across the table. He tossed the core of his apple over his shoulder then began devouring another from the small basket in his lap. At the end of the table, Jesse stuffed his faced with what looked like hard boiled eggs, except they were colored like the American Easter* eggs. Similarity, Ruby was literally face deep in a two-tier cake, which Silver Fang joined her eating once he finished the fruit pie.

Yugi shook his head and shuddered. "Never mind, I forget the manners in this place are different from Japan."

Yami smiled and gently ushered Yugi onto the pillow next to him and gathered up a plate for him before stopping suddenly. "Um…Yugi?" he asked sounding nervous. "What do you like to eat?"

Yugi blinked, then his eyes widened in realization and he looked at his knees. He'd only been here for two days, and in less than twenty-four hours they'd kissed, nearly made love and technically already slept together yet he and Yami barely knew anything about each other.

Well that wasn't entirely true, as Yugi was quick to remind himself of. They knew about the other's pasts, some of their inner passions and feelings and their darkest secrets that he himself hadn't shared with anyone else and based on everyone's sensitivity about the subject, he assumed Yami hadn't either. As far as basic things went…Yugi bit back a snort then started giggling. "Actually," he swallowed a laugh hoping not to make the King any more nervous than he already was. "Do you have any more of those moondrops?"

Yami didn't answer the question, instead he whirled on his feet and bolted from the room so quickly, he created a gust that left everyone, even Ruby and Silver Fang clinging to their food to keep it from blowing away. Chazz curled himself around his basket like it was a box of treasure. The curtains parted as the King flew by and vanished down the hall. A string of sounds including the shuffle and throwing of various objects, a loud crash and a string of curses soon followed. Moments later, the Frost King reappeared in the doorway breathing heavily. A silver basin of pearly colored moondrops clutched firmly between his hands which he then placed loudly in front of Yugi.

The man jumped back at first until the King sat down patiently watching him with a hopeful smile. Yugi looked between the King and the food. The scene was so innocently adorable that Yugi couldn't help but burst into laughter. The entire room stared at him when he buried his face in his arm and banged his fist against the table. The action caused the Frost King to jump from his seat and try to calm his precious guest down. His heart and skull hammered with confusion about what he did to cause such a painful looking outburst. He tugged Yugi up by his shoulders and was completely bewildered when he saw the huge smile on Yugi's face.

"I'm sorry," Yugi said though a fit of laughter. "That was just…one of the sweetest things I've ever seen."

Taking this as a good sign Yami smiled, nodded and snatched a moondrop off the top of the pile and offered it to Yugi. "You are very welcome then."

Yugi smiled and took a bite. "Delicious."

"Um… did I miss something?" Again the room stopped to turn its attention towards the new intruder. Instead they found Syrus standing bewildered in the doorway with his hand still holding the curtain. He'd changed out of his working clothes and now donned a deep blue traditional kimono decorated with purple orchids, only it was shoulder cut and backless with a silvery obi about the waist.

"I think we all did, Syrus," Chazz replied, just as confused and slowly relinquishing the death grip on his apple basket. Syrus shrugged and glided over towards the table and stealing a two tier butter cream cake with pink and chocolate frosting decorated all over with candy flowers. The moment he sat down on his pillow next to Yugi he grabbed a fork, stole the rose off the top, and plopped it into his mouth then devoured the rest of the desert.

"Sy, are you allowed to have cake for breakfast?" Yugi asked with a small grimace. That caked looked too sweet even for Syrus.

Syrus blinked with the fork still in his mouth. "Yes. Papa never said I couldn't." Syrus smiled sweetly and offered Yugi a candy white lily, which he took with a smile, before setting it on a plate and turned to Yami who was currently devouring a candied apple like a vampire.

"What?" he asked like a child with its hand caught in the cookie jar.

Yugi just rolled his eyes. "Never mind, you guys probably just don't get sick from eating too many sweets like I do."

"Yeah, we do." Chazz and Jaden said at the same time.

"I once bet Jaden a month of chores he couldn't eat three cakes," Chazz bragged.

"What happened?" Yugi gulped unsure if he wanted to know.

"I threw up," Jaden said with surprising giddiness.

"It was worth it," the two boys said at the same time.

"It's only Sy, that doesn't get sick from all those sweets," Jesse chimed in, pointing to the cake his youngest sibling was devouring.

"Hey, I never ate sweets before I came here," Syrus protested.

"Really?" Yugi asked stunned.

Syrus shook his head. "Nope." He stuffed his mouth with another piece of cake. "But I don't mind." He cut a smaller piece off the bottom and placed it on a tea cup plate decorated with purple flowers. "Like some."

"Sure," Yugi smiled enjoying the conversation and taking a small bite. "Hmm, you're right, Sy, this is good!"

"Told ya!" Syrus burst with a bright smile, making everyone laugh. Following his example, Jaden volunteered to share some of the honey glazed strawberries and bragged about how sweet they tasted. Chazz rearranged himself on the pillow and placed his apple basket on the table, before leaning over to push it closer towards Yugi. Never one to be left out, Jesse, rushed over and offered for Yugi to try some of the pastel colored eggs. Yugi laughed nervously, at first before promising to try a bit of everything, and with surprising ability, managed to calm the four exuberant spirits to wait patiently. The Frost King gave an impressed smile watching how easily his companion handled his rambunctious children.

"Easy you four, you're going to smother him if you keep this up." Yami playfully scolded.

"They're fine, Yami. I like spending time with them." Yugi assured him. "Besides I might not have a lot of time, with the preparations for the solstice festival you were talking about."

The second those words left his mouth, Jaden and Jesse exchanged looks of shock, then screamed and started bolting from the room, much to Yugi's surprise. Jesse grabbed Ruby off the table as he ran past. The familiar screeched and tried to claw towards her cake, but Jesse wouldn't let her go.

"What the hell is the matter with you two!" Chazz shop up and scolded.

"We're late" the two boys answered.

"I still have to get changed! Do you know how flammable silk is?" Jaden freaked. "Oh man, Amelda's gonna kill me!"

"What's going—?" Yugi asked almost fearful he'd done something wrong.

"They have to help their masters prepare the food for the solstice," Chazz replied. "You bringing it up just reminded them that."

Yami shook his head. "I swear, sometimes I think those two would lose their wings if they weren't attached to their backs."

"Well, you can't blame them for wanting to spend time with everyone before they have to work?" Yugi suggested, nibbling on another moon drop and licked his lips.

"Speaking of that," Chazz stood up. "I have to talk to Mana before the preparations start and I get swamped. Bye Yugi." He waved goodbye with a bright smile and dashed off, then stopped. "You coming Sy?"

Syrus, who'd been licking the rest of the chocolate off his place, paused, put the plate down in front of him and wiped his mouth and fingers with the table cloth. The he folded his hands in his lap, the perfect picture of innocence. "I'm coming." He pushed his pillow across the floor and bounced after his oldest sibling, waving goodbye. "Bye! See you later!"

Yugi smiled. "They're really sweet kids."

"Not always," Yami commented, licking the moondrop juice off his fingers. "If fact they're rarely this energetic, even around me. They must really like you. I don't think they'd ever forgive me if I upset you again."

"Oh please," Yugi rolled his eyes "You're their father, I'm sure they'd—" he paused when he realized what Yami said. "What do you mean 'again'? You didn't upset me?"

Yami blinked and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Well, when I asked you what you wanted, you just looked so...uncomfortable. I didn't want to upset you anymore than I already had."

"No!" Yugi protested immediately kicking himself. "You didn't upset me." He bit him lip unsure how to respond. "It's just…well…" He scratched his cheek nervously and looked away. "When you asked me what I wanted because you didn't know, it just …it made me realize how little we really know about each other."

Yami blinked. "That's not true." The Frost King protested. "We know quite a lot about each other, if you recall all we said and did yesterday."

Yugi gave a small smile and shook his head. "I didn't mean like the big stuff. I mean…you know the little things?" Yugi tried to explain but it was difficult to find the right words. "I mean, we don't know any of the basic stuff about each other, like when's your birthday? What's your favorite color? What's your favorite sport? What things do you like? Did you always want to be Frost King? Do you have any other family besides your siblings? Have you ever been married? Do you prefer hot weather or cold weather? Wait—what am I saying, that's a stupid question, of course you—" Yugi continued blubbering questions, and gripped his hair feeling like an idiot for the last one until Yami pressed a finger to his mouth.

"March 18th, dark red, flying and skating, same, yes and no, no, no, and I like both." Yami answered. He kneeled in front of Yugi, and pushed on his back ankles.

"What?" Yugi mumbled through Yami's finger.

"The boys showed me how to read and calculate time and dates based off your human calendar. My birthday is March 18th. My favorite color is dark red. When the sun sets it glows like that and I always loved the color, but recently I've also grown fond of violet" he flashed a grin that made Yugi blush, knowing exactly why the King said he loved violet. "If by sport you mean an enjoyable physical activity, than I would have to say flying is my favorite, but I also enjoy ice skating, and occasional snowball fights with the children, or at least I would if I wasn't their favorite target. As to if I always wanted to be Fairy King, yes and no. I idolized my mother and knew neither of my siblings wanted to be Frost King so I suppose at a young age I always knew it would be me, and I enjoyed that role, but I also loved making things, and when I got older I enjoyed playing with and teaching the children, so I suppose there were times I wished I could do more than just my royal duties. I'm assuming by married you mean Bonded. No, I have not, and unless Mahado and Mana have eloped or have a secret family I know nothing about, no, I have no other family but them and my sons. And I am partial to both the cold and the warm weather. I do enjoy this island's summers but it is brutal heat that I cannot stand. Now then, do you have any other questions for me, or can I ask you these 'small things' as you called them about yourself?"

Yami took his finger away and resisted the urge to laugh at Yugi's stunned, blinking, speechless face. "I…" Yugi opened his mouth but he couldn't think of any words to say. "Wow," He fell back and flopped onto the pillow impressed at how easily and accurately Yami has answered his questions. And in precise order as well. "Um…"

Yugi looked at his lap embarrassed though he couldn't figure out why. The redness of his cheeks deepened when he heard Yami chuckle and gently curl his long fingers around his head and nuzzle his hair with his cheek and kiss his forehead. "You're so sweet, Yugi."

Yugi smiled and blushed at the comforting gesture. "This is so strange. It's not supposed to be this simple. Or happen this easily."

"What is?" Yami asked, leaning over and tilting Yugi's lowered chin to face him.

"Falling in love."

Yami smiled at that and leaned up to kiss Yugi's forehead. Again Yugi blushed . He still couldn't shake the feeling that all this was happening too fast. It all seemed so simple and so natural being with Yami and bit by bit Yugi only seemed to fall more and more in love with him. But still, it wasn't supposed to happen this quickly or all at once. He knew about love at first sight, but he certainly didn't love Yami at first sight, or the second time, or the third, not even the fourth time, maybe when they were at the tree but even that was a long shot. And it wasn't like he was some giddy teenager naïve enough to believe that his first love was the only thing he'd ever know. He was an experienced young man in the prime of his life, yet he sure felt like a giddy kid in love. Why did it have to be so complicated? It wasn't supposed to be this simple, yet ironically it was! Funny how people always wished complex things could be simple and yet when it was for him, it didn't seem real.

"Isn't falling in love the simple part?" Yami's question broke Yugi's stupor. Yugi tilted his head back so he was now looking at the taller male, and found Yami's forehead resting on his forelock. "And then isn't keeping it the harder part? Because it requires you to go through all the 'struggles' and 'hardships' you mentioned to remain together?"

Yugi didn't answer. He was too lost in Yami's words.

Yami smiled and continued. "So in that sense, if you simply took a step back and stopped worrying about whether or not something is happening too fast or too slow or whether or not it is complicated and simply enjoyed what is happening now and what you're feeling, then perhaps you might begin to enjoy yourself right now?"

"You mean like live in the moment." Yugi nodded. "I think I can do that."

Yami tightened his arms around him in approval and kissed his forehead. Feeling giddy, Yugi grinned, feeling like a queen.

He could always worry about tomorrow when it came around.


"I really don't see why you have to wear all those layers, Yami." Yugi stopped and shifted his body three-quarters waiting for Yami to catch up. Said King was struggling with his heavy robe and the long kimono. His wings twitched under the weight of the clothing, begging to be free. However, each time Yami lowered the robe to his shoulders, revealing the halter-like top of his kimono, it slipped to the floor and he ended up stumbling over it.

"Believe me, Yugi I don't like wearing them. I wasn't lying when I said I could barely move in these things. Unfortunately, I am still King, many times that requires me to dress the part, even if I dislike the heavy robes and kimonos and ice-crowns and jewelry it requires me to wear." His tone was sarcastic but laced with light humor.

Yugi laughed, amused. "And here I thought you might get cold like I do" Yugi teased, bundling up the hood of his coat. On their way to the village, Syrus had once again managed to catch up to them and presented Yugi with a coat to match his outfit. Given how light the material was and how cold the winter was in late December, Yugi was very grateful for the thick coat. Like his outfit it was a pale olive green, laced with dusky gold fun along the cuffs, hood, and hems, with dusky gold leaf-shaped buttons down to the hips. From the hip to the ankles, the coat opened in an upside down V with the back curled around his ankles. Syrus even included a pair of matching fur gloves and earmuffs.

"Nope," Syrus chimed circling around Yugi, like a child in the snow. "That coat just looks really great on you."

"And I have you to thank for that, Syrus," Yugi thanked, happy at the boy's enthusiasm.

Yami flexed his wings and flew down the rest of the hill to meet them. When he landed he folded them beneath his shoulders, covered them with the heavy robe, and tied it closed with a heavy phoenix shaped brooch. Unlike his other robe, this one was decorated in the colors of the sunset with snow-white fur all along the edges except for the hems of the arms. The sleeves were tight at the shoulders but fanned in a huge bell shape giving him the impressions of wings on his arms when he moved. Beneath it, his sleeveless kimono was cherry red decorated with purple lilies and blue roses surrounded by gold birds. The image was distorted only by the deep blue obi he wore tightly around his slim waist with icicle-like crystals dangling over his hips, clicking together as he moved. He once again donned his icy crown, icicle earrings and multiple bracelets and a choker that looked carved from ice-crystals. His gold boots peeked out of the bottom of the kimono.

Once settled, he offered Yugi his hand. "Shall we?"

"Of course," Yugi took the Frost King's hand, and offered Syrus the other, which the boy gladly accepted.

"So what do you two have to do for the Festival?" Yugi asked curiously.

"Well," Syrus rubbed his neck. "I don't really do much, since everyone already has most of their costumes and stuff, but I do get to help with the decorations," Syrus explained. "Papa's job is more fun."

"Hardly," Yami chuckled. "I have to test and make sure everything from the food to the decorations to the games are all finished and conducted in a timely fashion for the Festival. I don't get to have any fun until the solstice actually starts."

"What exactly do you do for the solstice?" Yugi asked.

"Well," Syrus began. "First there's the ceremony of lights, then there's food and wine, then games and the Fortune Tellers and Secret Keepers tell stories, then Mahado performs an amazing magical act and he does fireworks at night too; then there's more food and wine, an ice-skating contest, an ice sculpture contest. Some of the children just skip those and just enjoy the snow—that's Jesse's job you know, he watches all the toddlers, then, of course, there's more food and wine, then the lanterns and more food and wine…"

"How long does this last exactly?" Yugi turned to Yami, unable to keep up with Syrus' blabbering excitement.

"Three days" Yami explained. "Starting at sundown on the twentieth of the month you call December, the night before. Then it continues again that night, the longest night of the year from sundown on the twenty-first until dawn on the twenty-second, the night of, and then it concludes from sundown on the twenty-second to sunrise on the twenty-third, the night after the Winter Solstice."

"Like the full moon," Yugi suggested, comparing it to the only thing that allowed him to make sense of what he was being told. "The night before, the night after and the night of."

"Yes, that is it exactly," Yami nodded. "Ah, we're here."

Yugi blinked, not noticing they were now in the center of the village and all life was bustling about decorating their homes, hanging blue and silver banners, dressing windows with ice and glass flowers, hanging snow-flakes, tassels, and Japanese lanterns for the celebration. In the center, Jesse was surrounded by small children who were climbing all over him as he tried to carry them to the park and out of the way of the adults and elder children preparing for the festivities.

Yugi bit his lip, wanting to help him, but he didn't want to part from the Frost King and squeezed his hand.

"Go," Yami said encouragingly, sensing Yugi's dilemma.

Yugi shot up surprised but Yami just winked. "Believe me, little one; you will have no fun running errands with me. You and Syrus go help Jesse, control those snow imps and I will join you once I've sorted everything out."

Yugi bit his lip. "Are you sure? I hate leaving you like that."

"Yugi, I am insisting" Yami gently shoved his back towards the squirming children. "Dearest Yugi, what did we say about living in the moment?"

Assured, Yugi nodded, then stole a chaste kiss from the King, much to his shock then grabbed Syrus' hand and ushered him to follow him. Yami watched the large eyes of the children turn to Yugi before abandoning Jesse in favor of Yugi as their new jungle gym. The boy just laughed and fell over, pretending to scream but the children just shrieked in delight when he picked them up. Yami couldn't take his eyes off him. His fingers gently rose to touch his lips where Yugi had placed a light yet bold kiss.

"Are you alright father?" A voice shook Yami from his stupor and he whirled around, turning to see Chazz holding a pen and clipboard in his bandaged fingers. "Yes, I'm fine." He smiled and swopped the clipboard into his hands, not failing to notice Chazz's hands. "What happened to your fingers?" He asked concerned.

Chazz blushed from embarrassment. "I'll explain later."


"Alright, come on everyone!" Jesse called, swinging his arms to the hands of the two children he was holding swayed with him. "Next stop the park!"

"Then we can practice telling stories for the festival!" Syrus cheered, maneuvering the black-haired gray-winged fairy, who told Yugi his name was Mokuba, into one arm, so he could hold the hand of a little blond-haired girl with pale pink and green wings and green eyes, wearing an elementary school uniform that Yugi though looked way to big on him.

Yugi took up the rear, ushering any of the children he saw to join them as they paraded through the town. The children all marched in a line following Jesse like a row of baby ducks 'ooing' and 'awing' at anything they thought was pretty. Yugi did the same, careful not to wake the sleeping magenta haired fairy boy, Leonhart, in his arms. The boy had worn himself out asking him questions about himself and the Frost King, to which Yugi was quick to change the subject. Yugi didn't have the heart to wake him.

"You have found your heart's desire. Unfortunately, you are still unbound." Yugi paused in his step and looked around. He found one of the stalls where a woman sat dressed from head to toe in robes with her hair and face covered in front of a glass bowl filled with different coins.

"Hey, are you the fortune teller from yesterday?" Yugi asked, recognizing the objects, but not the fairy woman's voice.

"No, I am not. But I regularly perform fortunes during the festivals," she explained. Yugi nodded. That explained why her voice sounded younger. He carefully maneuvered the fairy boy higher, so his cheek was on Yugi's shoulder and held him tight. "What do you mean I am 'unbound'?" He asked skeptically.

The Fortuneteller bowed her head, the hood of her clothing shielding her eyes. "Exactly as it sounds, child," she explained, her voice sad with concerned warning. "Your body belongs to the world of humans, as is obvious. But with each passing day, your spirit becomes more and more adjoined to the fairies and the realm they call home, the challenge is which one you will choose to surrender."

"Wh-" Yugi opened his mouth to protest but stopped when he realized what she was speaking of. He bit his lip. Of course, he hadn't forgotten. His grandfather, Joey and Tristan were probably scared to death wondering where he was, or if he was even alive, and not freezing to death on a mountain. Of course, he knew he'd eventually have to go back…but he didn't have to. He reminded himself. He could always stay. The Frost King loved him, of that he was sure. And he was falling in love with him anyway. Wouldn't it be easier to just let him have him? He could spend his days helping Jesse educate the children or skate whenever Yami was busy. Or he could help him with some of those duties. He could be a Queen or a consort. Ever since he came here, he hadn't felt the emptiness he'd always felt in the real world. Yugi shook his head. He didn't want to think about this now. He still had time. It had only been two days; he still had a couple left. He didn't want to worry about the future right now.

The woman spoke again, as if reading his mind and determined to rid him of his naïve thoughts. "Once a mortal enters the fairy land, they never truly leave it. Even if they choose to return to the mortal world and live full and happy mortal life, there is always a part of them that remains in fairy land. They never forget the true delight they experienced here and a piece of that delight stays with them no matter how deeply they try to bury it. That loss never fades. And even those who choose to stay, they always long for the loved ones they've left behind but by the time they've returned their loves ones have already perished and they cannot return to Fairy. That is why humans must never come to fairy land. Regardless of the decision, they must sacrifice everything for one or the other. They cannot choose both."

"Is…that why the King has his Magisters erase people's memories when they come here?" Yugi bit his lip unsure if he wanted to know the answer. He knew Yami meant it when he said it was to protect the fairies from humans, but based on what the King told him and what he was learning about fairy culture, he knew it had to be more than that. Somehow, he couldn't imagine someone as kind and devoted as Yami erasing a person's mind against their will—unless it was to spare them pain, like the humans his mother had forced back to the human world after her husband left? Had that been why Yami was so intent?

"Of course," the woman folded her hands and lowered her forehead to her fingers. "The Frost King fancies you. There is no denying that. So much in fact, he may deny his own law, despite the conflict he knows it would cause."

"Wait," Yugi stopped, extremely grateful Leon was asleep. "Are you saying he might…let me keep my memory?" Yugi swore his heart almost burst with joy. He wouldn't have to choose? He could take his memories with him. Keep them treasured forever—a sudden dread suddenly overcame him when the woman frowned, her nails digging into her palms. Too late he realized this was exactly the kind of response she expected—and feared.

Quickly, he composed himself. "Why would keeping my memories be bad? I wouldn't tell anyone about this place. Hell, they'd probably lock me up if I did. Besides, humans have been here before and no harm ever came of it? How would me retaining my memories cause any harm?"

The fortuneteller frowned. She said nothing at first then finally spoke. "The difference, child, is that none of the humans who stayed here had ties to the human world. You know the Frost King's children? Each one of them chose to stay here of their own will. They were not the first human with nothing left for them in the realm of their birth save for pain and suffering." She paused. "Also, no human has ever fallen for a frost fairy except for the Queen. Oh, there have been instances where fairies have fallen in love with mortals and chose to stay with them but the tales all end in tragedy…eventually the mortals die or they break their promises and force their lovers back to Fairy."

"What about the ones that chose to stay?" Yugi questioned, his voice failing to reflect the confidence he felt lacking.

"Let me tell you a story about a fox. When the Fairy King was young he and his siblings always loved chasing foxes. One day the kits were finally allowed to leave the den and explore the world, but one kit didn't want to leave the den and instead buried itself deeper into the hole. The Frost children tried to free it, but the kit was stubborn and it would bite and hiss and try and make them go away, and as it did the personal hole the kit dug for itself become deeper. Even its mother tried to coerce it outside, but the kit was scared until finally the Frost King picked it up, even though it bit at his hands and wrists and he screamed and cried when it did so, but he got the fox outside and once he did the little thing went off and explored and found itself to be just as happy as its siblings."

"So…the point of this story is to grow a pair and leave your comfort zone?" Yugi asked, sarcastically. "Or that Yami has a high tolerance for pain?"

"Or perhaps, he's trying to help you out of the human hole you've dug for yourself despite the inevitable pain it will cause him, if it means letting you experience bliss for one day," the woman retorted leaving Yugi shocked. "Humans are just like that fox. They dig holes for themselves, their safe haven if they will where everything is secure and predictable. Thus they are terrified of leaving it, and even those that do seek that freedom do it temporarily. Once they experience that freedom, like the kit experienced the outside world, they enjoy it immensely but the hole humans dig are like rubber bands. Every bond you've made, every person you know, every dream connection, every desire is another chain that keeps you locked in place. And then once you've found something even more attractive that promises you your heart's desire, those chains become rubber bands—you continue to pull on and pull on hoping eventually it will weaken and wear, but it never does, and eventually it drags you back to your personal circle of security. Do you know what happened to that little kit, Yugi?"

"No," Yugi snapped. "But I have a feeling you're going to tell me, regardless."

"The little kit splashed in the river, rolled in the grass, ate berries, crawled under the briars, but within an hour it was already racing back towards its den, curled up in its little hole crying and whimpering for its mother. All of the Frost King's pain and his sibling's hard work had been wasted. Just like humans eventually long for their homes in the mortal world, simply because they are too weak to stay."

"That's not true!" Yugi yelled with such force the woman stopped. The volume of his voice groggily woke Leon, so Yugi lowered him into his arms. "So what? Humans and fairies are weak for wanting to hold on to their relationships? For not staying in a 'perfect' world the minute they're given the chance? Well, I think it's arrogant of you to talk like it so easy to make a decision like that. So what if humans or fairies want to return to their own world? Maybe they need to go to another world to find where they really belong? Who knows, but it isn't because they're afraid or weak. It's because they have responsibilities in their homes, and people who need them back in their own world. They can't just drop everything and pretend their old lives never happened. That's just selfish!"

He stopped only to exhale. "And just for the record, I'm not clinging to anything. Do you know why in all those stories the fairy women have to make the deal with men so they can stay? It isn't because the men are weak or scared of going with them or any type of dependency, it's because they're usually always lord to estates or government officials: they have responsibilities to their people and they can't just abandon them, just like I can't abandon my grandfather or my friends without even considering how much pain they're going through worrying about me, no matter how much I love the Frost King!"

A hand immediately moved to cover his mouth when Yugi realized what he'd said. His eyes widened in shock and he dared not look around, feeling eyes suddenly surrounding him following his embarrassing outburst.

"Mr. Yugi." He was suddenly rescued by Leon's tiny fingers tugging on the front of his shirt. "We're going to miss the stories."

Yugi nodded and bolted down the street before the fortune teller could say another word, he kept his head low so no one saw him though, much to his joy, the street was mostly empty.

The fortuneteller watched him go. A sad sigh escaped her lips.

"That was uncalled for." The woman froze and whirled around only to see the scowling face of the Frost King glowering back at her.

"Perhaps," she frowned, taking a moment to remove her hood allowing a curtain of black hair to spill out. "But it changes nothing. Regardless of whether you wish it or not, he will have to choose, and even you can't stop what you and I both know will eventually happen." She stood turning her deep blue eyes to the Frost King and gave him a small smile. "He loves you, you know. And if things were different, I'd wish you both nothing but happiness, but you know no matter how much you spoil him with your love it will never cure the emptiness that will scar his heart."

The Frost King growled at her, his hands clenched at his sides, but he did not speak. He knew she was right and she knew that, but it brought her neither pride nor triumph. "Don't coddle me, Isis!"

"I mean no such thing," the Magister and Fortuneteller sat down with her hands folded in her lap. "Don't think my actions mean any disdain towards your lover. Quite the contrary, I happen to like him very much, but I see the conflict in his eyes. Your affections are making this far more complicated for him than it already is. I was not lying when I said no matter how much you and your children spoil him with your affection, it will never heal the guilt he shall feel is he abandons his loved ones. You heard his words. Would you really make him choose between yourself, who he loves, and the life he's built for himself in his own world?"

Yami said nothing, but his eyes refused to yield.

"Please, Frost King, you know as well as I do, a person can't live in two different worlds without consequences," he voice was sad.

"I'll think of something," Yami looked away and turned to leave but before he could his wrist was caught in a grip like dirt ensnaring a root. He looked up angrily but his voice died when he saw the shaking woman the hand was attached to.

"That," Isis retorted, her voice trembling with anguish. "Is exactly what she said, when she let him leave." She didn't need to clarify who she and he were. The Frost King already knew, and the memory sent a burning stab through his heart.

"Do not ask me to endure what happened again, because I will not!" Isis snapped. "I know you remember it well, but my memory is sharper than yours. I remember those three children who used to pluck foxes out of their dens and race them against the fish they sewed feathers to. I remember the one that once loved her so deeply and how they fled in terror at her sight. I remember the two children who cried themselves to sleep each night while the other remained silent with dread and with each passing day their world continued to crumble. And I remember their guilty faces and broken hearts before and after she fled never to come back and how each day they waited for her return with hopeful eyes only to see that hope turn to despair when the sun rose. None of them were ever the same since that day. Do not ask me to endure that again, Yami, do not!"

The force behind her words intensified when she used his name instead of his title. Her grip on his wrists tightened and he felt her fingers shaking with such force, his entire arm vibrated. Part of him wanted to turn around and comfort her, but he knew it would only insult her. She proved him right when she released his hand and composed herself not a moment later.

He'd never cared for what the person decided before. Fairies were always sad to see the humans go, but they delighted in the fact that they'd chosen their own path and another would not doubt take their place. If he wanted, he could always loophole his own law. Let Yugi keep his memory, let him say goodbye to his loved ones and then come back. He could ask Yugi to stay with him, be his consort. His sons loved him, his siblings adored him, he knew he'd never find or love another like Yugi, no matter how many mortals came and left in a fairy sigh.

He could give Yugi everything he desired. Made sure his little one never wanted or desired another thing, but somehow that didn't sound right. Yugi was very independent. Deep down he knew Yugi would hate being waited on. And he knew not matter how hard he tried he couldn't make Yugi forget his human life. A spark of inspiration so twisted the King hated himself for considering it appeared. He could loophole his own law. Have Shadi make Yugi forget his human life, he'd have only memories of him and the fairies. He'd never feel any loss or regret? They could rule together once he turned Yugi into a fairy. But what happened if the wall broke. Yugi's will was strong; he'd scratch at the wall. What would happen when those memories came back? If he remembered he was human, what Yami took from him…

"Stop!" Yami screamed at himself, not realizing he'd said it out loud and ripped at his hair with disgusted hands. His wings flapped wildly in his rage causing a gust behind him and his robe to flutter about him like a twister. "What am I thinking? How could I be so selfish?" His hands slid down his skull to cover his face.

He'd always been selfish. Selfishly wanted his mother's love all to himself. Selfish to not want to share Mitzu with her own children. Selfish that he sometimes enjoyed being the King of Fairies a little too much. Selfish to want to keep Yugi with him even against Yugi's own wishes. Had he really not changed?

"Some things just cannot happen without ending in tragedy." He heard Isis though he didn't turn to look at her face. "If a bird and a fish fall in love where will they live?"

Yami didn't answer. Instead he let his hands fall limb at his sides, his robe falling off his shoulder slightly allowing his wing to slip free. "I won't force him to do anything he doesn't want to, but I won't deny that I want him to stay."

He wasn't sure if Isis shrieked in despair or if he imagined it as he began to walk away, because a moment later she was standing calmly and spoke gravely. "Don't make the same mistake your mother did."

Yami stopped in his tracks and whirled around to face her. His eyes fierce and held no room for argument. "I know what my mother's mistake was, and it wasn't her love for my father."

No other words were spoken between them as the King departed towards the park.


*Though the dominant religion in modern Japan IS Shinoism and Buddism (though in modern years a majority of the population consider themselves atheism and non-believers though much of the culture still practices the modern customs, rituals and folklores of the respective faiths) a small percentage of the country IS Christian and some Christian holidays including Christmas are celebrated regularly in the country.

Before anyone asks, and incase its not obvious, the reason I made Isis the fortune teller is cause she's the most trational one about this situation. Like she said, she does care about Yugi and Yami but knows given the situation there isn't really a way this can end well without something bad happening...now i know how Nathanial Hawthrone felt when he wrote Scarlet Letter (You can't forget!)

XD i love it when i give my chaprters themes! Anyone wanna guess what will happen next?