Hey guys! Sorry this one's so short, but hey, at least you got yourselves an update in less than a month's time! XD

I promise to write a longer chapter next time, but until then, I've got to warn you, most of my effort is currently being put into my story for this year's NaNoWriMo! So I'm sorry if activity dies down again. Also, I've specifically designated Mondays as the day I work on Metamorphosis, therefore, you can expect to see updates for this story around that period of time. Honestly, I'm not sure on how frequently you'll be getting new chapters, but seeing as how there aren't many left until the story (finally!) comes to a close, my guess is... anywhere from two to three weeks. Just depends on how things are going for me in life, I suppose.

Also, I tried to make this one a little more light-hearted. I hope you guys enjoy my attempt at humor, considering most of my stories are sad and dark as heck XD

Enjoy, and please leave me a review to give me some input! I love hearing from you guys, it makes my day and motivates me like no other! :D

~Fallen

~ Chapter XIV ~

Family Bonds

"Of all the misguided, idiotic, irresponsible things to do," ranted an age-withered voice, the teens beside him flinching badly, and sinking deeper into their seats, "This, oh-ho this, has got to be one of the most harebrained mistakes I have seen from you yet!" Sugoroku's plum-colored eyes were bright with disbelief, bordering on outrage. Yuugi just held his head in his hands, a deep, weighted sigh heaving from his lungs.

There was the call of an announcer's voice, and a cry of despair from the television in front of them. Three, simultaneous groans of annoyance left the grandfather-grandchild duo, and their white-haired guest, seated on the couch across from the screen, as the Life Point bar drained from a whopping four thousand Points, all the way down to zero. "Gods above, why didn't he use the freaking Trap card?!" the younger trinette moaned in disapproval, "He had Mirror Force laid down, perfectly available for use! Not to mention, he had Polymerization, Gazelle and Berfomet on the field! He totally could have Fusion Summoned Chimera!" Yuugi ranted with a surprising amount of aggravation. His fingers laced up into his wild crown of hair, as the seventeen-year-old flopped stiffly into the back of the couch, growling out a gust of air past his teeth.

"I hadn't the slightest idea someone claiming to have such prowess on the field could be so incompetent in action!" Sugoroku continued, motioning wildly to the subjugated image of some nameless, rookie Duel Monsters "champ" as he sulked and whined with the aftermath of his very ungracious defeat. "I can't believe he had the gall to even bother mentioning an attempt to take the title in the next championship!"

After a moment, the elder excused himself, deciding to vent his frustrations by fixing them all something warm to drink. Yuugi sighed heavily upon his grandpa's exit, hands falling lifelessly into his lap. Somehow, he had been convinced by his loved ones to join them in watching a smaller-scale tournament for Duel Monsters that was being televised that afternoon. It was Sunday, within the last week or two of May, and the three had decided to set aside a day to... bond, so to speak.

It had been about a week ever since the pictures of Ryou and Yuugi's lip-lock had been plastered on the front page of every freaking magazine they could find, and since word of the King of Games' relationship with – and he quoted – "another, although nameless, boy from Domino", was officially out and about, the old man had decided that he should actually make an attempt to "get along with the one that has stolen his grandson's heart" (also quoted). So, Ryou had come over early that morning for breakfast, and ended up staying throughout the day. Just... hanging out, really. With Yuugi, with Sugoroku, exchanging small-talk, building bridges, nurturing the relationship between the boyfriend and the boyfriend's guardian. And, somewhere along the way, Yuugi had allowed himself to being talked into watching the competition as it aired live.

In complete honesty, Yuugi hadn't been too sure, at first, if he would have been able to handle such a blunt reminder of... of Atemu. He expected it to hurt. But really, it was... actually kind of... nice.

Seeing two of the most important people in his life getting along so well. Conversing, rather than arguing. The atmosphere was genuinely calm, for once. And, all the while, being able to enjoy it all, while watching a little piece of his recent past play across the TV screen.

It kind of reminded him of the good old days, when Atemu was Yami, the amnesic spirit, and Yuugi was still a nameless nobody trying to find the confidence to make his own in the world.

Yuugi glanced to the side as he felt a smallish hand pat his shoulder in an empathetic way. Ryou nervously smiled at him, trying his best to sympathize, though Yuugi could practically see the forming "anime sweat-drop", as Jounouchi had put it once. Though he sobered slightly at the memory of that... irritatingly exuberant blonde, he couldn't help but to chuckle. Truth be told... he actually kind of (really) missed Jounouchi. And Honda. And Anzu.

Just his friends, in general.

Ryou seemed to relax a little and, being the sweetheart he was, leaned forward to press a feathery kiss to his boyfriend's cheek in an attempt cheer him up. A large grin formed on Yuugi's face as a result, and he slung his arm over the half-albino's shoulders, drawing him close. Yuugi snickered when the other teen gave a quiet yelp of surprise.

Brown eyes glared up at cheery amethyst, and Yuugi huffed when the other lightly punched him in the side. He responded to the moody, flustered retaliation by pressing a large, over-dramatic smooch to the paler male's face, then rubbing his cheek playfully against Ryou's own.

"Argh! Leggo, you bloody idiot!" the whitenette grunted in protest, again going to punch his boyfriend in the ribs. Yuugi, thinking fast, hooked his legs around the other's waist, and clung to his body, successfully avoiding any further attempts made by the Bakura to dislodge him using brute force.

"Awe, but Ryou~! You're so much fun to cuddle with!" He gave a wicked grin at his Heart's growing blush, "And you're cute when you blush, too!"

"I'll show you who's cute!"

"Ouch – did you just bite me?!"

"I said let go!"

"Well, now I'm definitely not going to!"

"Yuugi Mutou, let go of me right now, or so help me, I'll-!"

The raving albino was successfully quieted as Yuugi made sure his mouth was otherwise occupied, sealing his lips over the other's own in a kiss. The trinette almost laughed at how quickly he felt Ryou's body relax, and lean towards his own. Holding back a triumphant smirk, he nibbled on his boyfriend's bottom lip suggestively, trying to persuade him to let him explore. The request was nearly granted, when the two's sudden, personal session was interrupted by a meaningful "ahem".

Two pairs of eyes flew open at the sound of Sugoroku clearing his throat, and both of them shot apart from each other. They actually put so much force in moving away from each other, that they ended up on opposite arms of the couch! Yuugi looked up sharply, face flushing a shameful hue of scarlet at his grandpa's expression.

Sugoroku had a small tray in-hand, with three mugs of what could only be hot chocolate settled on top of it. One eyebrow was raised with an unimpressed look, but the tension was broken by the all-too-amused smirk on the old man's wrinkled face. "Here I was, thinking I should be thankful for the sudden silence coming from you two. I should have known there would be some sort of funny business involved!"

Yuugi looked away, mumbling incoherently under his breath. "Funny business? There's no funny business here, I dunno what you're talkin' about..."

"I see..." his grandfather mused sarcastically, before proceeding to plop himself onto the cushion directly in between the two, hormonal teenagers. "Now, hush up and drink your cocoa, before it cools."

The mug was gratefully accepted, and Yuugi nearly salivated at the deliciously rich scent of warm chocolate as it met with his senses. He inhaled with an almost dreamy expression, breathing out a relaxed sigh seconds after. "Thank you, Jii-chan!" he cheered, before indulging in the hot beverage.

"Yes, thanks, Mutou-san!" he heard Ryou echo, sounding just as chipper.

Sugoroku huffed with amusement, and the waves of self-satisfaction rolling from him tempted Yuugi to roll his eyes. "Oh, enough of the formalities, already," he grunted with an air of finality in his tone. The two adolescents paused long enough to cast curious stares at the grayed man. Sugoroku cast an eye at them in turn, looking a little puzzled, himself. "What?" he prompted, turning specifically to look at Ryou, "If you're dating my grandson, then you're just as much a part of this family as he is! And this family, at least, doesn't bother with those silly honorifics!" the man declared. "So, from now on, my boy, you can call me Grandpa!"

Ryou's eyes widened, and Yuugi felt glee soar through his chest. He could have sprouted wings and flown to the moon and back, as far as he was concerned!

"Oh, a-alright Mu- I-I mean... Grandpa..."

The three exchanged tiny smiles, before going back to their drinks.

"Oh, and Yuugi...?" his grandfather spoke up once more, just as said person tipped the glass to his lips.

"Mmm?" he hummed, before taking a fulfilling drink of the liquid confection.

"Be sure that you use protection."

Ryou choked, and Yuugi almost spit his mouthful of cocoa out at the television.

And that old fart just sat there and laughed.