What The Hell?
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!
Chapter 21 (If you happen to Call)
(***)
"Hello?"
His voice sounded distant and heartbroken. Yami held back his fears as he struggled to string a sentence together.
"Hello?" The voice insisted once more.
Yami sighed and then spoke softly, the words leaving his lips before he could realize his wrongdoing.
"Aibou.…"
The line was deathly silent. Yami thought for sure that Yuugi had hung up on him. Yet, he was drawn to other conclusions as he heard a shaky breath on Yuugi's end.
"Yami…. Why are you doing this?"
The question stirred the inner depths of the waters within his heart. Yuugi's voice held none of his usual charisma or happiness. No… This voice was devoid of all emotion. It was lifeless.
"I wanted to call you. I told you I would still be in touch with you. We are not broken up, Yuugi. You are still my little one."
Silence took over again. Yuugi was struggling with his words. His emotions were chaotic.
"Don't call me your little one. That irritates me. Besides… I figured you were done with our 'relationship.' Did your status change on Facebook not signify that?"
"Yuugi, it's not like that. I just did that while I was on the plane. I was half-asleep and not thinking. I changed it and deleted all of the stuff relating to it."
Yami's heart pounded heavily. He felt stupid for his carelessness. How could he hurt his lover like this?
"If it wasn't anything then why did you do it in the first place? It's no one's business but our own. I've gotten call after call from Jou and my family wondering about this."
"I'm sorry, Yuugi. I really am. I called to apologize for that and I wanted to make sure you were doing okay."
"And?"
"And what?"
"I sensed an 'and' in there. What do you want to ask me?"
Yuugi was always perceptive. Ever since their childhood, the younger of the two had been very perceptive when it came to things such as this.
Shaking his head, the Egyptian teen spoke softly, deciding it was better than never to ask.
"You're too perceptive for your own good, Aibou. I wanted to know if you would return to Domino for school this summer?"
"I don't know yet. I haven't had a chance to think about that. Especially when you just decided to drop this 'we're on a break' crap and just leave."
"Yuugi, what do you want us to do? Do you want us to break up? I thought we were better than that. We've known each other since childhood and we've dated for over a year. We know each other better than anyone else does. Do you want us to break up just like that?"
Yuugi didn't respond at first. He simply sat there letting his boyfriend squirm in the midst of his thought process.
"Yami, I don't know what I want right now. I do know that I want us to work out. However, I need to get through this rough patch with my father. I don't know how long I will be in Japan."
"Your mother and grandfather miss you. Jou misses you. I miss you. Please tell me you will be back this summer for school. That is all I am asking."
Again, Yuugi took a while before replying.
"I can't promise anything. My father may need me for a bit longer. School is always going to be there. If it takes me a while to get through it, then so be it. Us on the other hand…. Well… I miss you too."
Yami felt a million times better at Yuugi's confession. The teen missed him too. The unanswered question of his hung in the air. Would Yuugi return or would he remain in Japan indefinitely?
"Yuugi, remember that I will be here for you regardless of your decision. I think our relationship is strong enough to endure this. I don't want to lose you."
"I don't either."
After the initial response, the phone call ended. Surprise flitted across Yami's face once he realized this.
He looked down at his phone and realized that his phone had died. Of all the times to not have charged the damn thing. He plugged it in and waited for his phone to turn on again. After he did this, he sent a quick text to Yuugi apologizing.
He set his phone down, waiting for a reply. He knew with the time difference that Yuugi was most likely tired by this point in time. Sighing, he looked unhappily at his apron that sat on his bed.
Since he had returned to Domino, the Egyptian teen had taken over Yuugi's position as server at Casa Del Sol. He loathed the job greatly. He wasn't good with people and he hated waiting on others, especially those who were rude.
Shaking his head, the teen picked up his apron and grabbed his keys. He had another shift tonight. As much as he hated this job, he managed to make some good money. After all, Yuugi's usual customers came to him now. Knowing that he was seeing Yuugi, the girls and even some of the guys often tipped him more than usual and asked him about Yuugi and how he was handling things in Japan.
He'd give them a small smile and answer with a simple, 'fine.' After all, it really wasn't their business how his little one was doing.
His thoughts drifted away from his little Yuugi to that of his current work. Looking down, he noted the mess left by the group of teens who had just left.
'Stupid teens… They didn't tip me shit.'
Yami began to sweep the debris from their dinner, groaning as the front door opened.
He really didn't want to deal with others right now. After that last table, he had lost his patience to deal with people.
How many times would a group of sixteen year olds ask for refills on their water or their countless futile attempts of ordering off a kids menu?
Gritting his teeth together, Yami set his broom to the side, propping it against the drink station. Carefully constructing a somewhat decent smile, he walked toward the front, ready to greet his next table.
As he walked toward the front poised for introduction, his eyes widened.
"Welcome to Casa Del Sol…"
He stopped in mid-sentence, surprise evident upon his chiseled features.
"Hey Yams, what's shakin'?"
Jou stood next to a familiar face. The person next to him was dressed casually in jeans and a black t-shirt. It was the hair and the scar decorating the tanned face that reminded him just who this person was.
"Akefia? What the hell are you doing here?"
Jou threw the taller male adjacent to him a stare, blinking in confusion.
"Yeah, he won't tell me either, Yams. I was headed here to get some grub and this fool startles the hell out of meh and followed meh here."
Hearing this, Yami knew something was up. He had known Akefia for a while. The man had a hidden agenda. Even his brother spoke of how little Akefia would speak of his true intentions. He only chose to speak his mind to Atem. But that was a while back. Atem and Akefia hadn't spoken since their break-up.
Yami gazed at Akefia suspiciously. He raised a brow and looked at the elder man with a questioning gaze.
"What brings you to my humble abode of food service hell?"
Jou choked back a laugh, gauging Akefia's reaction.
Said man simply shrugged, blue eyes piercing through Yami's crimson.
"I'm here to eat and speak with your manager."
Yami didn't flinch, unperturbed by the piercing stare. He simply crossed his arms over his chest, smirking.
"You want to speak with Atem?"
His only answer was a brief nod.
"Can I ask why?"
Akefia glared at the smaller teen. "None of your business, brat. I need to speak with him."
"Actually it is my business. Atem's busy doing manager-like things today. He's asked me to send people away today if they are needing him."
"He can spare a moment of whatever bullshit he is supposedly doing. I am above that crap he calls work."
Jou looked between the two men, clearly uncomfortable.
"Uh.. Should I just… Is this a bad time to be here?"
Yami pulled his angered glare away from Akefia and turned toward the blond, frowning.
"No, you're fine. Do you want to sit down and eat, Jou?"
"Yeah, I'll go and sit down at my usual booth."
With that said, the blond walked away awkwardly, leaving the two men fuming.
"Why do you want to see my brother, Akefia?"
"That's none of your business you damn brat."
Yami looked away and sighed heavily.
"I beg to differ. Atem was very upset over you for a long time. Why should I allow you to ruin his life again?"
Hearing this, Akefia's entire demeanor changed. Upon hearing the distraught nature of his ex-lover, he lost his defiance. Atem's wellbeing meant everything to him. Hearing how upset the man had been over him broke something in Akefia.
"I didn't realize I had hurt him that much."
"Look, it's none of my business but why are you truly here, Akefia? I just don't want to see my brother broken again."
Akefia leaned against the host stand, resting his arm on the counter. He looked down at Yami with a heavy sigh escaping through his lips.
"You remind me so much of Atem. It's no wonder everyone confuses you two."
"Stop changing the subject!"
"You even act like him too."
"STOP IT!"
Yami's voice echoed through the small restaurant, startling Jou and one of the cooks by the expo line.
Footsteps echoed across the hall, ending the moment between Akefia and Yami.
Atem walked up, clearly annoyed. He glared at his little brother glasses perched upon his nose.
"Yami why are you yelling across the restaurant? You know better than that."
Yami glowered and looked at his brother with a pointed glare.
"Because of this right here." He pointed at Akefia, Atem following the addressed person.
Crimson eyes met startling ice blue. Atem held back a breath, clearly startled by Akefia's appearance.
"You look like you've just seen a ghost." Yami commented.
Atem looked at his brother and then at the taller form of his ex-boyfriend.
"Yami, go and attend to Jou's order. I think the mutt is getting cranky."
Hearing this, Yami muttered something along the lines of 'you sound like our cousin' as he walked off.
Atem stood in front of his ex silence and awkwardness taking form.
Akefia took the chance to break the ice, frowning at the smaller man.
"You've changed, Atem. Just how did you move up from serving to being a manager just like that?"
"I haven't seen or spoken to you in over a year and that's the first thing you ask me?"
"You know I'm not good with conversation starters."
Atem rolled his eyes. Akefia hadn't changed a bit. Seeing this, he knew that nothing good could be happening with his appearance at the restaurant.
"Why are you here, Akefia?"
Akefia frowned. He hated it when Atem called him Akefia. The man had always affectionately called him, 'Ake.'
"I wanted to apologize for everything that had happened between us."
"Well, you're forgiven. Is that enough?" Atem asked, coldly.
Ouch. That tone definitely cut through Akefia's heart.
"Look, I'm not expecting a relationship or even a fucking relationship with you, Atem. I just wanted to make sure you were okay and I wanted to apologize."
Atem didn't say anything at first. He stood there, mind reeling with choices of how to respond to this. Did he want to accept Akefia's apology and accept him back into his life? Or did he want to accept the apology and not allow him to proceed further into his life. After all, it had taken a year to get over this entire ordeal.
"Look, I have inventory and a schedule to do. Can we end this now?"
"No, if you have work to do, then I'm going back there to continue this as you work. I want to settle this now, Atem."
Said man ignored the elder. He stalked off toward the back, Akefia on his hills.
All the while, Yami couldn't help but watch the drama occur.
(***)
Yuugi sat in the kitchen, drinking a cup of tea. He glanced at his phone, an unsettling feeling taking over.
After his call with Yami, reality had taken over and set his priorities into place. He truly needed to get his mind set on what mattered the most.
He knew staying in Japan with his father was the right thing to do, but he wanted nothing more than to follow his heart home to Domino.
Without Yami around, life was dull. While he was angry with his boyfriend for this entire ordeal, he knew deep down it was mostly his fault.
After all, it was he who had gone to Japan and it was his father who had caused more to the entire ordeal.
Now the entire thing was unraveling before his eyes. What should he do. Do what's right or do what do what he wants more than anything else?
School had been another issue. While his father had sent tuition money to him, Yuugi refused to spend it. He hated relying on his father for anything after their falling out over his choice in lovers and orientation.
All the money sent went into his savings account. He refused to touch it. He tried to give it to his mother but she refused, saying he needed it more.
Yet now with his time in Japan, Yuugi had lost the only support he had: scholarships. Even with this issue at hand, the teen knew he wanted to return to school and return to life as usual with Yami by his side.
Yami… The man meant so much to him. He truly missed him more than anything else. Although, deep down he worried for this longing he felt toward the other. Yami had mentioned a need for independence from him. He needed time to live apart and prove that he didn't rely on his little one.
'What if I can't live without him? What if I don't want this distance?'
This thought crossed the Japanese teen's mind, opening up new possibilities.
He needed to make a decision.
"I miss him."
"You miss him?"
Yuugi jumped, hearing his father's voice behind him. Startled, he turned around, finding the looming form of his father by the refrigerator.
"Dad, what are you doing up so late?"
Yori shrugged, yawning.
"I heard you up. Wanted to make sure you were okay. You've been pretty quiet since Yami left."
The teen nodded, sipping on his tea.
"Yeah I guess so. I'm kind of torn between a rock and hard place right now."
Yori stared at his son, frowning as he sat down adjacent to the boy.
"Yuugi, I know you're unhappy. Why don't you just go home and finish school with that boy?"
Violet eyes widened, meeting his father's own.
"What?"
You heard me, Yuugi. "Why don't you just go home. I can manage myself. You've done enough for me."
"But Dad… I can't just leave you here."
"Mai will be back. Trust me. You've done enough." He patted his son on the arm and smiled briefly. "You've proven to me that you don't rely on Yami for everything."
Hearing this, tears welled up in Yuugi's eyes. His father had never been so understanding. Or maybe he had. With their strained relationship, neither knew one another that well. The time they spent together in Japan clearly helped them gain something they desperately needed.
A bond between father and son.
Yuugi smiled at his father and then stood up, pulling his father into a hug.
Startled, Yori wrapped his arms around his only child, smiling.
"What are you going to do, Yuugi?"
The teen pulled away.
"I'm going home."
Sorry for the wait on this. I've been really sick, working crazy hours, getting through some problems and crazy tornado weather here in Texas. I hope you guys liked this chapter. Thanks for the reviews as always.
This story is officially a year old and I've hit my 8th year anniversary on this site.
Not much left for this story unfortunately! It will be ending soon.