Somewhere between four and five o'clock, Yugi and Jounouchi had fallen asleep in the living room. Jounouchi had pushed his recliner back so he could lie down better, and Yugi was curled up against the armrest of his sofa. The television was still on, playing children's cartoons. Jounouchi snored softly while Yugi started to stir at a noise. It was the phone ringing, he realized. His eyes opened quickly, though he made no hasty attempts to sit upright to answer. He was tired, having stayed up most of the night, and figured if it was important, the person would leave a message for him.

When he made it to the phone, he'd missed it by a single ring. He waited for the machine to beep, signaling a message, then pressed play.

"Hey, Yugi, it's Honda. I'm just a little worried because it's going on ten now, and you're not here at the store. I was gonna stop by and see how you were doing." There was a pause before Honda's voice came again. "I'm sorry I was an asshole yesterday. I'll get it if you're still mad, but I hope you call back." Another pause, then, "Well, bye…"

In all honesty, Yugi had no idea what time it was because his first experience of the day was Honda calling him. He wasn't totally surprised that he'd slept so late, but he was at the same time. He imagined his alarm must be going off in his room. It was a traditional alarm clock, equipped with annoying bells that sometimes breached Jounouchi's slumber. He was being dramatic, of course, because Jounouchi slept with three sources of sound when he slept—an industrial fan, the ceiling fan, and a playlist of acoustic music. Yugi felt glad he didn't need all those crutches to sleep, but he absolutely needed silence to sleep. It was a wonder he even managed to sleep with the television on. Yugi was also kind of glad he didn't have a cellphone. Between the house phone and the Kame Game phone, he really didn't need one. Jounouchi tried numerous times in the past in case Yugi was at school and needed to contact Yugi for something, but he simply told Jounouchi to leave a note at the apartment for him.

He stood by the phone for a moment longer before deciding to make his way up to his room. He was grimacing at the fact that he had fallen asleep in his jeans—he just wasn't one of those people anymore—and desperately felt the need to shower and get himself out of his soiled clothes. He knew it was just him being dramatic, but he could swear every movement left him feeling the sweat that had built over the course of the night. He entered his room and made his way for the dresser, pulling out clean clothes, then shut off his alarm. Soon after, he made his way towards the bathroom. He didn't bother to stay in his room any longer for now.

Once he was finished cleaning himself, he headed back downstairs. Jounouchi was still asleep in his recliner, and Yugi had to wonder if the blonde had the day off, or if he wasn't needed until later in the day. Either way, he figured he could be a good roommate and make a fresh pot of coffee. They never made full pots because neither was home for most of the time. It seemed senseless to waste coffee by making a full pot they would never be home to enjoy. Jounouchi had been more frugal with it at the time, insisting that it was fine to nuke in the microwave, but that was just something Yugi couldn't agree with. They came to the agreement to not make a full pot.

He noticed the pot was still on the stove, void of its content, but still retained remnants of the soup they'd eaten just hours before. He grimaced—it wasn't like him to let something sit on the stove all night—and stuck it in the sink to add dish soap and hot water to it. He'd deal with it later, when Jounouchi was awake. He wasn't going to be rude and wake him up. While he was waiting for the coffee pot to finish, he thought of a conversation he and Jounouchi had just a couple years ago.

Jounouchi had wanted to get a bird. Any kind of bird, really, since he'd never had the chance to experience having a pet. His parents never bothered with them, and his father wasn't going to let him have one while living under his roof. The gang suggested he get a cat or something small, like a hamster. Something that wouldn't be too difficult to take care of and maintain. He was insistent, however. He'd seen so many videos of different species of birds; experienced their varied personalities, intelligence, and antics. He'd really fallen for parakeets, cockatiels, and cockatoos. Much to the relief of his friends, he said he'd never try to obtain a cockatoo, since they were greatly out of his price range. That didn't bother him so much, since there were so many videos of cockatoos, each with their own personality. Instead, he had redirected his focus onto parakeets and cockatiels. Then ultimately, decided his goal was to get a parakeet.

Yugi remembered the conversation he had with Jounouchi about his decision. He'd asked, "Why a parakeet? Why not something equally as small, but quieter?"

Jounouchi's response had been bright and optimistic, a huge smile on his face. "Parakeets are tiny balls of attitude. I may not be tiny like you, but I've got a ton of attitude!"

Yugi smiled, looked at the counter, thinking about the memory. He was happier then with his grandfather around. He missed that feeling. He missed silly conversations like that. They were so serious anymore, and he was greatly responsible for that. He wasn't unaware of that fact at all—but he did choose to ignore it as often as possible. He shrugged to himself and reached into a nearby cupboard for a cup, intent on getting a cup of coffee. He considered making one for Jounouchi, but if he had to perfectly honest with himself, he wasn't sure what he blonde's ratio was. If anything, he figured it was more milk and sugar than it was coffee; but he decided the nicest thing he could do for the other was to grab a cup for him and set it by the coffee pot. He made his way back into his room, debating with himself if it was really a good idea or not.

He already knew Atem wouldn't make himself known unless Yugi called for him, so he wasn't worried about any surprise visits. The issue focused on the negativity he felt while being in his room was what he was trying to get over. He didn't want to associate it with bad thoughts and ill-will. Mainly because of what Atem had told him before leaving. He took a seat on his bed and reached for the box on his dresser, taking out the deck that was inside of it. He positioned himself further onto his bed, sitting with his legs crossed, and looked at each card.

It seems like only yesterday that it happened, he thought. But it wasn't because yesterday was bitter and miserable.

As he looked at each card, his mind warped back to his final duel with Atem. It wasn't a bitter experience for him at the moment, but a reflective one. He thought about what life would be like if Atem were alive. As a normal human being with no powers. He imagined it would be a little difficult to deal with it at first. Realistically speaking, Atem would be another person to support, unless he was given a job at the shop. Yugi could afford to pay Atem a wage, but maybe Atem could just do things around the house when he and Jounouchi were busy. There was also the issue of where Atem would sleep. Yugi's room was full of his own things—where would Atem possibly keep his things?

He would need clothes and his own stuff, Yugi thought. This is just a two-bedroom apartment. I guess I'm selfish if I don't want to move into a new apartment just so he can have his own room. But I would have to talk to Jounouchi about this too—I can't just say that we're moving and expect him to be okay with that. This place is just as much his as it is mine. Atem will just have to deal with it, really, if he wants back in…

Glancing around his room, he imagined what it would be like to have Atem living with him. Specifically, in his bedroom. He couldn't see Jounouchi sharing his space—especially on the days that Mai came to visit. Jounouchi would literally kick Atem out onto the couch. He wondered how Atem would adjust to it. He would no longer be a ghost and would have to care for himself. He figured the spirit was used to sleeping, since he'd had to do it a few times under certain circumstances, but Atem really didn't have to care for himself since he wasn't actually alive.

Idly, he wondered if Atem could cook. He didn't figure the former Pharaoh ever had to cook for himself, since he probably had people cook for him. Then, of course, he didn't need food as a spirit. Jounouchi and I can teach him, though.

He was half-tempted to call for Atem, but he had no idea if the spirit had calmed down since yesterday. Yugi felt a little less anxious than he typically was, but he realistically that it would take time. He did have a week to make up his mind before Atem came to him. He could use that time rather well, if he thought about it. He knew what his roommate was wishing for and Yugi couldn't bring himself to deny that he was right. He straightened up Atem's deck and put it back into the box before making his way downstairs.

Jounouchi was in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee and reading the newspaper. He saw Yugi walking towards the table and smiled. It was a tired but warm smile. "Mornin', Yuug."

Yugi smiled back. "Morning. Did you sleep okay?"

The blonde shrugged. "Wouldn't recommend sleepin' in a chair full-time, but it was all right. What about you?"

A shrug in response. "It seats two comfortably when sitting properly. But it I slept okay." He received a soft chuckle. He took a sip of his coffee, set it down, then made a contemplative face. He decided at this point that it was utterly pointless in keeping anything from Jounouchi. Not because he wouldn't find out, but because it wasn't fair to him when he was going so far out of his way to help him. "Hey, Jounouchi."

"Mm."

"Have you thought about what it would be like to have Atem living with us?" He hoped his question didn't cause any unnecessary anger, but he wanted to know Jounouchi's side of things. He got worried when the blonde frowned, but his expression was calm and thoughtful.

"I guess he would have to live with us, wouldn't he?" he mused. He thought about it for a moment before speaking again. "He would need somewhere to sleep. I kinda figured he'd just stay with you. He's probably the most comfortable with ya. But he'd need clothes. Can't imagine he'd be walkin' around all day in those clothes of his. Too many people'd be starin' at him."

Yugi nodded silently in agreement.

"Question is… would he help pay the bills? He'd need a job. He doesn't need ta be moochin' off ya." He took another drink of his coffee. "He did enougha that when he shared your body."

"Well, it's not like he meant for it…"

Jounouchi shrugged. "Even so."

Yugi frowned. "If Atem is brought back to life, wouldn't he be the same age he was when he died? That would make him fifteen years old. He couldn't exactly go around and tell everyone he was three thousand and fifteen years old, now could he? He would have to tell him he was fifteen, and that would cause problems because he'd be considered a child in our time. We would have become his legal guardians. Or, at least I would because I'm twenty years old." He shook his head. "This isn't going to work, Jounouchi."

The blonde bit his lip. Yugi was right. Atem would become just a fifteen-year-old boy living with two adults. His birth parents had been dead for a very long time now, but nobody would believe that if they told the truth. "Up until this point, neither of ya talked about this?"

Yugi shook his head, feeling ashamed. "No… I don't even think Atem thought about this. Just that he wanted to come back and he hoped I'd feel the same."

"There has ta be a way they figured it out, though." When he received a quizzical expression, he explained. "Atem was only here two years, but he had ta of learned somethin' about our world. Do ya think it's possible they'd age 'im up?"

Yugi shrugged. "It's possible. But he'd need a birth certificate and an ID… Atem has none of those things. All there is, is some poorly documented event that happened thousands of years ago. Nobody's going to buy that." He slouched down onto the table, his head hitting with a soft noise. "Guess it really is just a pipe dream…"

"You're really gonna give up?" Jounouchi asked angrily. "C'mon, Yuug. There's gotta be a way to do this."

"How?" It was mostly rhetorical, but Yugi knew in his gut that Jounouchi could most likely think of something to make Atem's return more feasible. "How are we just going to… manifest all of the things he'd need?"

"I dunno, Yuug," came the honest reply. "But ya can't give up now."

So… my gut's been wrong before, Yugi thought, feeling defeated. "Maybe we just need to think about something else for a little while. My head is starting to hurt…"

The blonde was dissatisfied with Yugi's request, but decided to humor him for now. There was a plan formulating in his mind in their silence, but he was going to keep it a secret from Yugi. At least until he knew for sure she could help with their dilemma. He could tell Yugi was disappointed again, was feeling hopeless over Atem's return, but he wouldn't give up so easily. Even if Yugi had been rather selfish and self-involved lately, he still deserved to have something that made him happy.

"So how's your agenda look for the day?" Yugi asked, breaking the silence and cutting Jounouchi's thoughts short.

Although a little wide-eyed, Jounouchi recovered quickly enough to respond. "I gotta work at two today. They got me on a closin' shift today. Bastards." His tone harbored no ill-will, despite his words. "You?"

Yugi knew the answer Jounouchi wanted to hear, wasn't going to go against what they'd agree on, but he still opted for a different answer. "Honda called a little while ago."

"Oh?"

"Yeah." Yugi nodded. "He was a little worried because he stopped by the store and I wasn't there. He wanted to apologize for yesterday."

Jounouchi was lost. "What happened yesterday?"

A grimace, hesitation. "I asked him the same thing I asked you about Atem."

"About him comin' back?"

Another nod. "He didn't take it so well. He said I was being delusional. Like it was my sorry way of coping with it all and was giving me a reality check."

The blonde frowned, but he wasn't surprised. "He's never been good about stuff like that. He probably just wants ta apologize to ya. He means well."

"Yeah, I know he does." He looked off to the side at nothing in particular. "It just stung is all. The way he said it."

Jounouchi couldn't find it in his heart to take pity on Yugi for Honda's reaction. Even Atem's actions were justifiable—up to a certain extent. Jounouchi was the only person Yugi had confessed to who hadn't outright accused him of needing psychiatric help beyond that of his own means. Jounouchi had merely strongly suggested Yugi seek help, and it was mainly due to his extreme measures of dealing. Honda doesn't even know Yugi was cuttin' himself. He wished he could see Atem, though at this point, he certainly wasn't doubting Yugi's story. He'd been so adamant about it, that Jounouchi couldn't do anything but to believe in what he was saying. Still…

"What are you thinking, Jou?"

"Hm? Oh." He chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. "It's nothin'."

Yugi frowned. "You know… you could tell me. It's not like everyone else has had issues expressing themselves to me. C'mon. Tell me what you're really thinking."

It should've sounded irritated, but it wasn't. Jounouchi knew Yugi wasn't looking to argue with him over it—he simply wanted to know. Jounouchi couldn't help but to oblige, a soft smile on his face. "'Kay. I was thinkin' about everythin' that you've been dealin' with. Everyone's got somethin' hefty ta say ta ya. And… I feel like I should take ya side and support ya, but… I feel like everyone's not wrong for what they've said." He paused for a moment, feeling guilty for what he was saying, and added a final note as a means of an apology. "I just wish I could see Atem for myself. I'm not doubtin' ya on that at all, Yuug. Seein' him's enough for me."

Yugi wasn't mad at all at Jounouchi's confession. He was glad the other was being so honest and forthcoming with him. It just meant that he would have to maintain that same level of honesty in return. He figured he could handle as much. He didn't know what to say in response, however, and only sat in his seat silently. Jounouchi took it as him being upset.

"Don't take me wrong, Yuug," he pleaded. "I wish this had all gone differently."

"I'm not mad, Jounouchi." He shrugged. "I get it. I don't know if Atem would be willing to show himself to you. At this point, it'd be a miracle if he even wanted to return after how I've been treating him lately. It's a wonder you guys are still around after how I've treated all of you, really. But I guess there's some damage control I need to take care of if I want things to get better."

Jounouchi tried to offer a smile, but it was hesitant. He was keeping something from Yugi and he felt bad for it. It made him think of himself as a hypocrite and it left a bad taste on his tongue. Words that wanted to come out that he knew would put a little faith back into Yugi's spirit; but he kept them a secret for now. He wanted to wait until he had the answer from her before coming back to Yugi.