Valkyria: Thanks for reading.

Disclaimer: I claim no rights to the anime/manga Yu-gi-oh


"I accepted the fact that I was giving Atemu another chance, but that didn't mean it wasn't awkward between us. After all, I had quit my job, joined Kaiba Corporation and basically ignored him for Gods knew how long, but it seemed that none of that meant anything to Atemu. He was willing to try again and that in itself showed me just how loving and forgiving this man was." - Yuugi Motou

Chapter Fifty: A Repeat First Date -

Jounouchi and Seto's restaurant was booming on Saturday night and Yuugi was thankful for his friend directing him toward an empty, secluded spot on the second floor. It gave him the opportunity to talk to Atemu about the last few months without eavesdroppers and the occasional woman coming to their table and inquiring whether Atemu was single.

On the other hand, being with Atemu in such a private setting left him vulnerable. He didn't know that Atemu was saving his scathing remarks until no one was around. He didn't know that Atemu was going to be kind or horrid just as he had been to his old boss.

Yuugi was pleasantly surprised when his old boss was the perfect gentlemen-giving him enough time to settle at the table and make himself comfortable before launching into small talk that was filled with innuendos that would make an experienced man blush to the roots of his hair.

"Well." Yuugi placed the napkin into his lap, fighting a small smile. "It didn't take you long did it?"

Atemu snorted from his side of the table. The man was dressed impeccably tonight in a black suit with a velvet red waistcoat and a black tie. It was nothing unusual seeing Atemu dressed so well but it caused a rush of heat to flow down Yuugi's spine. It had been a while since he had seen Atemu and the man's cologne along with his choice of his clothing did nothing in his favor.

"You know me well enough and I missed you, Yuugi." Atemu reached across the table and grabbed Yuugi's hand, giving it a quick, reassuring squeeze. "So, tell me, what's it like working for my thick-headed cousin."

"Kaiba is a kind boss, contrary to disbelief." Yuugi smiled in the face of Atemu's scowl. "He doesn't fire people left and right like the tabloids and reporters tell people and his benefits package is awesome."

"Is it?" Atemu rumbled sarcastically. "I'm happy that you're working for him and enjoying it."

"Now, now, don't get in such a tiff because you wanted to know what's it like working for Kaiba and I answered." Yuugi took a sip of the wine, licking his lips and setting the glass back down-all to aware of Atemu watching the action. It wouldn't take long before the around them became charged with its usual sexual tension and it was something that he was looking for to. For once.

"I was hoping that you quit working for him and come back with me and Ishigami Corp." Atemu's hopeful tone caused Yuugi's heart to twist. He hated when Atemu pulled this crap. "I thought you enjoyed working with me and Mana?"

"I did like working for you, Atemu." Yuugi was quick to put a stop Atemu's usual method of manipulating him into a guilt trip. "I enjoyed working with Mana and seeing Azizi and Mahad when they had the time. I miss them."

"Nothing stopped you from visiting them or me."

Yuugi raised an eyebrow and gifted Atemu with a small scoff. "After what happened between us would you really let me trample around your work space? Really Atemu? Really?"

Atemu's tense silence was answer enough for Yuugi, who quickly put on a polite smile as the waiter approached, ready to take their order. He kept his eyes lowered as Atemu's quickly rattled off his own order before quickly sending the waiter away and continuing their conversation, something Yuugi wasn't looking forward to.

"The only reason I didn't want to let you trample around my work space was because you acted as if you hated me." Atemu tossed him a hurt look behind bitter eyes. "You didn't make it any better by avoiding me as if I had the plague."

"Don't get me wrong, Atemu. I did hate you once upon a time." Yuugi admitted, doing nothing to soothe the hurt look that flashed across Atemu's face. "I hated how much pressure you put me under to pursue a relationship when we both agreed to one night and nothing more. Do you know how uncomfortable you made me?"

"Yuugi." Atemu looked stunned at his confession, and Yuugi was willing to admit that he found an inkling of pleasure. Good. Let Atemu know how he felt. "I realize now that I shouldn't have pushed you to pursue a relationship, but understand that you were just as a willing participant as I was, yes?"

"That's right." Yuugi acknowledged. "I was a willing participant in some of things we did, but the fact remains that I felt pushed a majority of the time, Atemu." Yuugi raised his hand when Atemu opened his mouth to protest. "I didn't agree to this date to argue about what happened in the past. I want to concentrate on the present and this date was a good opportunity to clear the air between us, wasn't it?"

"Yes." Atemu looked relieved, satisfied at Yuugi's confession. "I want to move on as well."

Yuugi sat in his chair, waiting for Atemu to lash out at him just as he had lashed out at Atemu. When the silence stretched to the point of becoming uncomfortable, Yuugi finally gave Atemu an expectant look.

"You can yell at me if you want, Atemu."

Atemu gave him a confused look at his question. "Excuse me? What?"

Yuugi took a deep breath, shooting Atemu an insecure look for the first time tonight. "I know I did and said things that didn't put me in your top ten list of favorite people, and I think it would be best that you should get anything you have to say out now before we let this relationship take another step further."

As soon as Yuugi's mouth snapped shut, Atemu chuckled, the sound sending a chill down Yuugi's spine. "I don't think that's a such a good idea, Yuugi."

"Oh? Why not?"

"For one, I don't want to hurt for feelings and turn this night into a worse disaster than it already is." Atemu granted him a sharp smile to soften the blow of his words. "And like you said, we should leave what happened in the past and concentrate on the present."

Yuugi narrowed his eyes at the evasion and did nothing to press Atemu into confessing. This night had all but gone to crap at this point and he didn't want to make it worst. "If that's what you think is best, Atemu."

"You have my thanks, Yuugi." Atemu smiled at the approaching waiter who set their plates down "This is lovely, thank you." Atemu waited before the waiter disappeared to the first floor before raising an eyebrow at Yuugi who had yet to touch his plate. "Shall we?"

"Yes." Yuugi picked up the fork, ignoring the fact that it felt too heavy in his hands. "Of course."


The date was a disaster.

He nor Atemu had gotten past their awkwardness, and ended the night with fake smiles. Yuugi returned home with heavy shoulders and an even heavier heart. Of course he knew better than to think that they would get over their problems in one night, but he still had hope.

He was no fool not to see that Atemu was still angry with him and he was still angry with Atemu. Apologies or not, they still held feelings of resentment from their months apart. Was it ideal? No, but it was a step towards a better relationship. Their ideal relationship was going to take time and patience; both of which Yuugi felt neither of them had to spare.

While both of them were eager to move forward, their date showed that neither of them had gotten past what happened and it broke Yuugi's heart to realize that he and Atemu's road to a stable, healthy relationship was going to be rocky. He didn't like it, but he would have to realize that it was staring him right in the face and he had no choice but to acknowledge what was happening between them.

The look on Jounouchi's face when he recited the date was one of sympathy and partial anger. It was at this point that Yuugi found himself lacking in both.

"It shouldn't have to be this hard to get into a relationship." Jounouchi muttered, displeased at Yuugi's retelling. "If this wasn't you then I would tell you to just move on, but I know you like Atemu just as much as likes you, Yuugi."

Yuugi's shoulders slumped before reaching over for the shot of vodka Jounouchi set out for them. It was closing time at Jounouchi and Seto's and thankfully, most of the staff had long gone home leaving him and Jounouchi to drink his problems away.

Judging from the blurry vision he was experiencing, he was doing a fine job of it so far.

"What am I going to do, Jou?" Yuugi reached for the bottle, snorting when Jounouchi smoothly pulled it out of his reach. He reached his limit for the night it seemed. "I didn't expect the date to go so bad."

"You can't honestly expect it to be a bed of roses and sunshine did you?"

Yuugi pondered on the question, a sloppy smile appearing on his face when Jounouchi scoffed at the lack of his response. "No, but I did expect it to go better than that."

Jounouchi snorted, setting a bottle of water in front of him. "Listen, for now, it would be in your best interest to take this slow, extremely slow, and just play it by ear."

"For how long should we play it by ear?" Yuugi questioned. "Do you know how impatient Atemu is when concerning this relationship? It's like watching a kid throw a tantrum in the middle of a grocery store."

"..I'm sure it's not that bad, Yuugi." Jounouchi sounded unsure and little hesitant. "The man runs a multi-billion yen company and I'm pretty damn sure that you have to have some type of patience."

"Patience est détruite par passion, mon ami!" (Patience is destroyed by passion, my friend!)

"Et est donc alcool, tout-petit." (And so is liquor, little one.) Jounouchi shook his head at Yuugi, frowning when he realized that his friend spoke in French. "I know it's been a while since we've spoke, but I don't remember you being fluent in French when you're drunk."

"I'm getting lessons from Honda and practicing with Otogi in my spare time. D-did you know that he called me "my love." on one of our first dinner dates? He's a manipulative, cunning, handsome, sexy bastard. I'm so wasted right now."

"I know you are, little buddy." Jounouchi chuckled, watching as Yuugi face planted on the bar counter. It was rare for Yuugi to be deep in his cups, but he didn't blame him. He was fortunate that his relationship with Seto wasn't as complicated as Yuugi and Atemu's. He just wished that Yuugi could be happy in some shape or form.

"Hey, Jou?"

"Yeah?" Jounouchi responded gently, placing the half-empty bottle of vodka on the display case behind the bar. "What is it, buddy?"

"Do you think I'm going to be happy one day? Like you and Seto?" Yuugi stared at the blond, his eyes half-lidded from the copious amounts of liquor. "I mean, not getting-a-cavity happy, but blissfully happy? You know, like, a ninety-five out of hundred."

"No one is that happy, Yuugi." Jounouchi stated with remorse, his eyes shining with visible tears. "I know you'll be happy one day, Yuugi. You and that idiot, Atemu."

Yuugi beamed from the bar counter, his eyes loosing the luster of being intoxicated, darkening as they once again became overcome with sadness. "Thanks, Jou, you always know how to make me feel better."

Jounouchi shrugged as if it was nothing at all. "I'm always going to be here for you, Yuugi. I'm not going anywhere-" Jounouchi raised his hand when Yuugi opened his mouth to protest. "Not even Seto will stop me from seeing you and taking care of you when you need it, understand?"

"Yeah, I got, Jou, thanks."

Jounouchi set the towel down on the counter before coming around and wrapping an arm around Yuugi's shoulders. "Come on. Let's get you home and into bed."

Yuugi groaned at the thought of moving anywhere. "I'm going to regret all this drinking in the morning, aren't I?"

"Yes." Jounouchi replied, full of dark glee. "Yes, you are,"