- Twelve o'clock -

Dinner with the king of the night was not like anything Yugi had expected it to be. Once they sat down he finally got a good look at his majesty's outfit, which consisted mostly of black leather, studs and the occasional gold band. However, the thing Yugi was interested in the most was Yami's pendant. He eyed it with childish curiosity and a twinkle in his eyes that made Yami pause for a second or two.

"They shine like... Say, what are you admiring? It has to be amazing to make you look like this." Asked Yami baffled.

He was still too stunned to see his beloved stars shimmer and shine inside Yugi's violet eyes. To him it was impossible to imagine they would be found in a human's gaze, especially since no elven star-born has been seen for over three thousand years. Yami really wanted to know what made Yugi look like this, so that he could see these human-born stars glimmer many more times.

His answer came swift, "I like your pendant."

Holding it with his hands Yami leaned back in his chair. He looked at it intensely for a moment. Then he began explaining what it was, and what secrets it held.

"This pendant is called the millennium puzzle. It represents the night's magic essences. You see, there are the two opposites: night and day magic. They both created earth, air and water magic. This made these three types dual however. The earth magic is split into the day type of life, while the night type is more rock based."

Yami paused to let his one-Yugi audience absorb the new information.

"Air magic is split into sky and storm magic, sky being the day type and storm the night type. Water is split between the tides and ice magic. The only types who stay single are day and night." Yami made a pause again.

"Being born of darkness, I can command it, call for it and wear it like a cloak. I can create illusions too. In contrast: day magic is pure hot sunlight. It can burn through any deception, and it's bright enough to burn most creatures of the night. Sunlight is strong, proud and beautiful."

But Yami wasn't finished yet. He pointed at his golden pendant. Each point of the triangle was one element, and the creepy looking eye in the middle was supposed to represent darkness. Then he let his eyes wander across the room. These sharp red orbs watered slightly when he continued, but his face remained strangely tranquil.

"The stars were something different. Nobody knows or remembers where the essence of the stars came from, but they lit up our dark sky like gentle guardians. Under the light of the stars this kingdom flourished. They gave us life... but then they vanished. Every single star-born vanished, and with them the stars in our sky faded."

He sighed deeply and let his head plop onto the table, seemingly at ease with Yugi around. It made Yugi feel special to be considered a trusted confidant to the king so quickly. Even though it was almost too quickly. That didn't matter much in that moment, because Yami needed to vent and Yugi was a great listener. He gently nudged Yami with his elbow to get him to start taking.

"I don't want to marry her." He sighed.

"If you didn't I wouldn't be here. So what's she like?"

"Well..." Began Yami carefully, "She's loud and happy, loves wild parties, and bright colors. She's nice, friendly and kind to anyone. She is a wonderful friend to have."

"But? I can hear a but there." Yugi replied equally as careful.

"I saved her when we were children and ever since then she has it stuck in her head that I love her. I didn't save her because I was interested, I did it because it's the right thing to do! But no, she's hell-bent on believing in her knight in shining armor." At the end of his rant Yami's voice was a desperate hiss.

It was obvious that he was uncomfortable. He also kept something important from him, but Yugi didn't want to address the obvious and ruin their little moment. So instead he offered Yami a understanding smile. Nothing was telling him that they couldn't befriend each other, and as Yugi's childhood friend always claimed: friends are important. Which meant Yugi would give this his all and everything. He was going to be there for him, even if they were still only little more than acquaintances.

"She likes pop, I like rock. She wears sky blue, I wear jet black. We get along as friends, but..." Yami trailed off, seemingly exhausted from his rant.

"But not as a couple. You're too different. What about a shared interest? A hobby?" Finished Yugi for him.

It became easier and easier to read the king with each moment they spent together. It felt natural. Yugi and Yami thought as uncannily alike, which meant they were truly on the same wavelength. This similarity brought comfort and allowed them to open up, the first beginning of true trust.

Yami snorted. "She dances and loves to go clubbing. I prefer to stay inside and play games."

Now that caught Yugi's interest, but he would keep it in mind for later. It was more important that he helped Yami to find some similarities between his bride to be and himself. Preferably now. That got Yugi thinking however.

"Yami, why do you have to marry her? Isn't there anyone else?" Yugi asked softly. Yet, all that Yami did in response was shake his head. A single tear ran down his face before he could hide it. Quite honestly, the sight ripped Yugi's heart apart.

"It has to be her. Only the queen of the day has the ability to create mini suns. Without those my kingdom will crumble. Unless you can find a star-born I'm stuck with her."

Not knowing what to reply, Yugi hummed softly in sympathy. He thought it was unfair, but wouldn't say that out loud. It wasn't like it would change anything anyway. His expression must have been fairly dark because Yami faked a cough to get his attention back. With all tears dried up and his usual smirk on his face, Yami gestured to the food on their plates as if nothing had happened. It was weird to Yugi, but he had heard about the coping mechanisms of royalty, which is why he let it go. For now. Although when he finally saw what the servants placed in front of them Yugi wanted to keep talking.

"What is that and is it edible?" He rushed to say, terrified of the black blob of oozing jelly before him.

"It's a delicacy here. You could compare it to a cupcake with jam. Try it, I have a feeling you might enjoy it."

Yugi sent the king a dead eyed stare. In the end his politeness and table manners won his inner fight and he tried a spoon full of their "dinner". Much to his surprise it was edible, but very dry and a bit bitter, much like dry wine. When he glared at his blob of dinner the king sighed again.

"It's made of lumos, a kind of fruit we grow here. Sadly the last few harvests haven't been the best. That's why they don't taste like they used to. I'm sorry I can't give you a proper sample."

Instead of answering the king Yugi thought it was best to change the topic before the mood turned blue again. Which is why he brought up his favorite hobby: games. He started talking, Yami responded eagerly and in the end both noticed that they had wasted four hours by just chatting about their shared passion. It was when they were heatedly debating whether Kuriboh was a boy or a girl that someone knocked on the door. Slowly it opened, letting in a cool stream of moonlight and the shadow of a tall person with a staff. Yugi jumped in his seat.

"Mahad. Do what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" Said Yami with a fond smile on his lips.

"Wait, isn't that the name of the guard I...?"

"Ah. You are our guest, aren't you? I'm disappointed in you, my king. Don't keep him locked in here all night." Scolded the intimidating spellcaster, who was now identified as Mahad.

"Yugi, this is my guardian, Mahad, the dark magician. Old friend, this is Yugi, my love-mentor."

Do you have to word it like this?! - but Yugi kept that thought to himself.

The magician bowed courtly and sent a warm and friendly smile towards Yugi. Then he blinked. One time, two times and a third time before he shook his head. His eyes were searching for something in Yugi's, and when they couldn't find it anymore the magician looked away.

"A pleasure to meet you." Offered Yugi as greeting.

"Oh no, the pleasure is all mine. Say, Yugi? Do you want to accompany me through the city? I'm sure his majesty has duties left unattended." When Mahad mentioned Yami's royal duties his tone became sharp and the king paled a little bit.

That was the first time both of them heard Yugi laugh out loud freely during the entire night. He nodded, stood up and promised he'd stick to Mahad's side wherever he went. Then they exited the room to enter a magical city of illusions and shadows while Yami returned to the throne room. Yugi couldn't contain his excitement.

No beta! It's all or nothin' -!

I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue this as a story, or illustrate it instead. However, it grew on me and maybe it's good the way it is now. That means I'm going to continue it even though I can't give you a set update schedule. Apologies.

Also! Important info -! : I am going to foreshadow the big climax of this story in every chapter. Anyone who can figure it out before I post the big reveal chapter gets a reward from me. I give you my word on that. :)