Chapter Twelve


Yugi paced the length of the conference room.

His team had already dispersed to complete their tasks but, he'd stayed behind, content to worry a hole into the carpet as he circled the room's table for the fifth time. It was a dull room, with grey walls, pine furniture, and enough florescent wattage to make Yugi feel like he was in corporate prison rather than an event venue. Beginning another lap, his heart pounded faster in his chest.

It was the first day of the tournament. Everything was planned to the last detail. His team was ready, and the arena floor was in the process of being set. A two day non-televised tournament was a child's play compared to the chaotic whirlwind that had been Okayama and yet, as soon as he'd stepped foot in the arena a few hours ago, his stress level had begun to ricochet off the charts.

There was a soft knock and a pause before the door creaked open.

Mana poked her head inside. "Mutou-sama," she said, opening the door a smidge wider. "Are you ready to look at the floor set-up?"

"Sure," Yugi said, nodding. He picked up one of the files on the table, turning the paper in his hands as he reached her.

"And you are sure you're feeling alright today?" Mana said, eyebrows knitted together, worrying her lower lip.

Yugi sighed. It was the third time she'd asked since their five am team meeting an hour ago. "I'm fine, Mana," he said. "Really."

"You just look really pale," she said, slumping against the door frame. "And you didn't eat anything at dinner last night…or this morning."

"We've have a lot to get done," Yugi said, shrugging. "That's all." He couldn't even begin to imagine the look on her face if he told her that he hadn't been able to force down a full meal for days. A buzzing sensation had started somewhere just behind his eyes the night before, but whether it was from lack of sleep or food, Yugi wasn't sure. He had two days to get through, and then he wouldn't have to worry about another tournament or running into any particular duelists for the next four months. Four months of blissful buffer time.

"If you're sure…" Mana said. "I can go get you something to eat or drink if you need – "

Yugi shook his head, moving forward. "I'm fine," he said. They stepped out into the hall, door clicking shut behind them, and Yugi glanced over at her. "I appreciate your concern though."

Mana whipped her head towards him, beaming as she started to walk him through the day's itinerary.


Yugi was acting like a teenager.

It was noon and, the tournament was in full swing. The stands were packed with fans, an even split of girls and boys, chattering among themselves, eyes wide as they watched the holograms bloom to life in front of them.

Yugi was standing on the arena floor, back pressed against the wall as one of his team members, Honda, a broad shouldered man with a full head of hair, gave him an update, shouting over the noise of the crowd, his body positioned at the perfect angle to block Yugi's line of sight from Yami Atemu. The duelist champion was halfway through his first duel and though Yugi had been on the floor for the entire morning, he had managed to avoid looking directly at Yami all day.

Everything was going fine – a day and a half to go and, Yugi would be home free.

Honda pointed to something on the clipboard in his hands. Yugi started to move to join his side when Honda stepped forward, joining Yugi at the wall. Yugi fixed his eyes on the clipboard, focusing all his attention on the list of names pinned there and not the quiver in his stomach as he realized that the barrier between him and the King of Games had narrowed to only the air between them.

After a few minutes, Honda finished his update, giving a slight bow before striding across the floor to confirm the duelists in the next matchup were in place. Yugi scanned the arena, eyes peeled for any rouge fans roaming where they shouldn't be or members of his team looking close to tears. He tugged on his collar, head spinning as he pressed back against the wall behind him. Mana was right – he probably should have eaten something.

He waited for the spell to pass, hands shoved in his pockets as he kept watch over the room. It took a few more minutes for Yami to finish his duel, and the crowd roared as the platforms lowered, depositing both duelists to the ground as Honda hustled the next pair into position. Yugi glanced up at the crowd, half tempted to make a run for it as the King of Games stepped onto the floor.

Please just ignore me. Please for the love of –

"Yugi."

Crap.

Yugi found Yami a few feet in front of him. It had been less than two weeks since he'd seen him last but, it had felt like months since his last conversation with Yami in his office. Yugi met the older boy's eyes, forcing a smile and ignoring the sudden uptick in his pulse. "Hello, Atemu-san," he said. "Congratulations on your win."

Frowning, Yami kept his distance. "Are you feeling well?"

"Absolutely," Yugi said. Be professional – polite – accommodating. His heart was pounding. "I feel great. How about you?"

"You look ready to faint," Yami said, stepping closer, hand reaching out to –

Abort! Abort! Yugi moved to the side, head whirling faster as he separated from the support of the wall and added a few extra inches between himself and the duelist champion. "I'm fine," he said, forcing another smile. "Thank you for your concern. Now, if you'll please excuse me." He bowed, head wooshing as he straightened. "I have some things to take care of."

"Yugi – " Yami began but, Yugi was already turning away.

He strode across the arena, pushing through the closest set of doors and into one of the utility corridors that he and his team had been sprinting up and down all morning. The sound from the arena muffled as the doors sealed shut, and Yugi walked down to the water fountain a few feet away, taking a long drink and splashing some of the liquid on his face.

His heart was pounding, cheeks hot as he steadied himself. He'd done it. He'd managed a conversation with Yami without saying or doing anything stupid for once. He straightened, trying to swallow back the lump in his throat. It was fine. He could do this. He rubbed his sternum, hoping to lessen the ache that had taken up permanent residence behind his breastbone. Everything was fine.

Taking a breath, he waited another few minutes before stepping back onto the arena floor.


Yugi was trying to keep pace.

Mana was talking at warp speed, her entire body blurring as she power-walked the length of the corridor, filling Yugi in on an earlier situation involving an American duelist who had to be dragged from her podium after being defeated in a series of three moves. There were only three duels to go until the day's conclusion, and, when Yugi had left the arena floor a few minutes ago, Yami had been stepping up on his platform for his final duel of the day.

Beside him, Mana seemed to be picking up in speed, and Yugi hung back as another wave of lightheadness crashed over him. He swallowed, throat dry as he forced one foot after another. Mana circled back when she realized he'd slowed. She continued with her story, gesturing wide with her hands, but Yugi was having trouble understanding her. In fact, he was having trouble breathing.

He stumbled to the wall, slumping against the surface as black spots edged his vision. The hallway tilted sideways as Mana peered down at him, pausing in her story. Yugi sucked down a breath then another. He just needed to stop and catch his breath for a second. Mana's eyes were wide, hands reaching out to steady him as he started to slip down the wall.

For such a petite girl, she was stronger than she looked.

Her fingers gripped his arm, keeping him from tumbling to the floor as his vision darkened. She was saying his name, eyes panicked as she tried to keep him upright. It wasn't working. Yugi felt himself falling. He was slipping, heart pounding faster and faster in his chest, Mana gripping him tighter as the world faded in a triumphant swirl of color to black.


Yugi had the worst headache of his life.

He cracked open his eyes, shutting them as the blinding florescent of the hallway lights burned through his pupils. The tile was freezing beneath him, but his head was cushioned in someone's lap, warm hands resting on his shoulders. Around him, the world was silent, and he forced his eyes open, squinting in the light.

"Yugi," Yami said.

Crap. Yugi closed his eyes again. His head was pounding as hard as his pulse, and he did not have the energy to deal with Yami Atemu. Not now. Not ever.

"Open your eyes," Yami said.

Yugi sighed, squinting up at the older boy. Though he was looking at him from upside down, he did not look happy.

"How do you feel?"

"Like someone smashed my head into the wall," Yugi said. He needed to get up. He had a tournament to run and, under no circumstances was having his head in Yami's lap even in the realm of professional behavior. Pushing forward, Yami's hands clamped down on his shoulders, preventing his progress.

"You passed out," Yami said. "You need to take a moment."

Yugi took a breath. "I have to…"

"Yugi." Yami's voice was sharp as glass. "Relax."

"How did you even get here?" Yugi said. He closed his eyes. The light was making his headache even worse. "Where's Mana?"

"I sent her to find you something to eat and drink," Yami said. "When is the last time you ate anything?"

"How did you even find us?"

"Yugi."

Yugi sighed. "What?"

"When is the last time you ate?"

"Breakfast."

"Today?"

Yugi forced himself not to cringe. "Yesterday."

He listened to the long exhale of Yami's breath. "That is unacceptable."

"I wasn't hungry!" Yugi said. You've totally lost control of this situation! He opened his eyes. "Though I appreciate your help, I need to get up, Atemu-san." He tried to sit up, but Yami's hands pressed down on his shoulders, stopping him.

"Your mind disappeared from mine when you passed out," Yami said, leaning over to look at him, the lines of his frown etched deep into his skin. "I thought you were dead."

And we're back to the crazy talk. "Atemu-san," Yugi said, "let me up."

"No."

"No?"

Yami's eyes were narrowed. "You have run yourself to exhaustion. Not only have you disregarded my concerns," he said, "but also the concerns of your employees. I will not allow it to continue."

"You won't allow – " Yugi forced himself to swallow the rest of his retort. Stay calm. Deep breath. "Forgive me, but I don't think it's any of your business."

Yami looked at him for a long moment. "You truly believe that I have no reason to be concerned?"

"Yes!" Yugi snapped. Stay calm! "I mean – " He took a breath. "I think the manner of our relationship doesn't warrant that kind of concern."

"Would you be concerned if I were to pass out in the middle of a duel?"

"Well, of course," Yugi said, "but – "

"So you may be concerned about me but, the opposite is unacceptable?"

Yugi closed his eyes, sighing. He was quiet for a moment, trying to figure out how to work his way out the hole he'd dug for himself but, something was bugging him about what Yami had said. Would he be concerned if he passed out during a duel - ?

A wave of pure panic rushed through Yugi. "You were just starting a duel when I passed out so, how are you here now?"

Yugi's eyes flew open at Yami's silence. He flung himself upwards, vertigo creeping over him in a slow drip that started at the top of his head, working its way down his neck. "What time is it?" Yugi said, trying to read the hands of his watch but, they kept spinning together. "Atemu-san." His head was whirling again, breath caught in his throat.

"I came to find you the moment your mind disappeared from mine," Yami said.

"You walked off in the middle of a duel?" If there had been a sliver of anything in Yugi's stomach, he would have lost it on the tile below him. "I have to go," he said. "I have to deal with this." He worked his way to his feet and by the time he was vertical, he was bent over trying to catch his breath.

Yami's hands were warm against his back. "Yugi," he said, "you need to calm down."

"Calm down? I can't calm down!" Yugi said, whipping up, and instantly regretting it. The world was tilting again as he met Yami's eyes. Don't lose it now! Calm and professional! He took a long breath. "I apologize for that. I'm fine, really. I need to go now though." He slammed his hand against the wall, trying to keep himself steady. Head spinning, he was struggling to catch his breath as Yami moved closer. "Atemu-san, please don't – "

Yami's arms wrapped around him, yanking him into his chest. Yugi wanted to fight it with every fiber of his being but, he was slumping forward, legs bowing beneath him as he collapsed into Yami's hold. His entire body was tired, so tired. The calm was sweeping through him again, pulling the rug from under him as he tried to remember why allowing this with Yami Atemu was an absolute violation of every professional ethics rule known to man.

"Calm down," Yami said. He started moving backwards, and Yugi felt the cool press of the wall hit his back as Yami stepped closer, drawing him tight against him.

Yugi wanted to cry, actually cry tears of frustration. He knew this was wrong. He knew Yami Atemu was crazy and, yet he was still standing there letting him hold him. Yugi leaned his head forward, resting his forehead on Yami's shoulder.

Shit. How was it possible to feel so much better with one touch?

Yugi let out a breath, his head still buzzing. They stood there for another few minutes, and Yugi's pulse had just started to slow when he heard the squeal of tennis shoes on the tile floor. Yami loosened his hold, and Yugi spotted Mana barreling towards them.

Double shit.

"Mutou-sama!" Mana said. She slowed on approach, breath heavy. "I am so sorry it took me so long. I was trying to find you something to eat but then, everyone was freaking out about Atemu-san walking out in the middle of his duel and, I tried to deal with it the best that I could but all I could think was that you were here waiting!" She looked ready to burst into tears. "I was so scared. You got so pale and, I'm so sorry it took me so long."

"Mana, slow down," Yugi said. "It's okay. I'm sorry that I scared you." He shifted in Yami's arms, looking up at the older boy. "Um – Atemu-san," he said, clearing his throat. "You can let me go now."

A grin began to crack across Mana's face, her eyes ticking back and forth between the two of them as if just noticing their position. "Oh my god - I knew it!" she said. "Everyone told me I was wrong, but I knew it!"

"Mana!" Yugi said, trying to regain her attention as hearts started to bloom behind her pupils, "We're not – we're just – we're – " He sighed. "Can I just have whatever you brought me to eat?"

She handed him a candy bar, rocking back on her heels as Yami made no move to let him go. Yugi couldn't bring himself to work up the proper level of outrage. After all, the minute Yami had walked off the floor in the middle of play, Yugi had probably earned his ticket to the unemployment line. He ripped open the candy, forcing it, and the bottle of water Mana had brought, down, taking a long breath.

"Alright," Yugi said. "I'm ready." He looked up at Yami. "You can let me go."

"You need to rest," Yami said. "You can barely stand."

Yugi's eyes shifted to Mana standing a foot away, her eyes wide as she watched them. How in the world was he going to explain this to her? "I need to – "

Mana cleared her throat. "I don't meant to interrupt," she said, "but I and everyone else can take care of everything tonight, Mutou-sama. I mean, they should be starting the last duel now anyway."

Yugi narrowed his eyes at her. Traitor.

"You should go with Atemu-san," she said, nodding. "I'll let everyone know that you were feeling unwell, and you can get some sleep and eat something." She turned to Yami, hand on her hip. "Please make sure he eats dinner, Atemu-san. I'm counting on you."

The hot rush of embarrassment burned down Yugi's neck. "Mana – "

Yami nodded, and Yugi felt the vein start to tick in his forehead.

"Hold on for a – "

"Great!" Mana said. "I'll see you tomorrow, Mutou-sama! Bright and early!" She turned on her heel, and Yugi could only watch as she flounced down the hall, arms swinging at her side as she picked up speed.

It was only after she turned the corner that Yugi chanced a glance back at Yami. The older boy still had him pressed against the wall, a fact that was becoming more and more apparent to Yugi as his stomach clenched with a round of butterflies. He was pinned against a wall by the King of Games, half delirious from exhaustion, and one burst of energy away from passing out again.

Yugi could only sigh - this was not how the day was supposed to go.