The Aftermath (sequel to The Bar Scene) Chapter 29: Avoidance, Thou Hast Two Names, a yu-gi-oh fanfic

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! nor its characters. I also do not profit from this work of fiction.

A/N: tumblr: [a]floreswrites

twitter: [a]nanadanonini

IMPORTANT NEWS: I've decided to stop updating on this website. It's far too much hassle to deal with. Especially when I need to edit a bunch of chapters (which I did on ao3, & easily at that!). Doing that on THIS website is just not feasible without taking an entire afternoon of my time (it's 28 chapters, y'all!), which I do not have the patience for. If y'all wanna keep up with this fic, you can find it on ao3 under the same name, minus what is in parentheses, author: nana_banana. Sorry I can't include a link. This website sucks.

Summary: Both Yuugi and Atemu are acting strange. Yuugi's friends grow worried and Ryou takes it upon himself to intervene. Atemu has no idea what his own friends are feeling. That may or may not be on purpose.

Warning: Language

Chapter 29: Avoidance, Thou Hast Two Names: Yuugi & Atemu

Tuesday morning, Yuugi woke to sloppy kisses and whiny cries. Opening his eyes, he blearily registered the four-legged culprit squirming beside his head, little paws eagerly patting at his cheeks and nose. Grunting, he turned his face away into the softness of his pillow, ready to sink back into the comforting warmth of sleep.

"Alarm no off," Yuugi mumbled incoherently, even as he was pursued by a wet nose in his ear. He shifted halfheartedly as little feet climbed onto his neck. "Sleepy baby." He was almost at the precipice of sleep when a particularly petulant whine jerked him into the present, and Yuugi groaned. "Okay, okay," he sighed reluctantly, turning his attention to a frantically searching and sniffling Kuribou. "Wha' you want?" He grumbled in sleepy tones. "Bathroom? Fine." Sitting up, Yuugi drowsily rubbed at his face as Kuribou continued to anxiously wriggle about on the bed.

"Yes, yes, here we go," he placated. "We're getting up."

Peering at his alarm clock, Yuugi groaned. It was only minutes to his wake-up time, and he would not be returning to bed. Turning off the alarm, Yuugi shoved the covers away and grabbed Kuribou.

"Hush," he whispered, "you'll wake Ryou." He took two steps out of his room when a very warm feeling enveloped his stomach. It took him three seconds to realize the cause and he squealed in alarm. "No, no, no — wait!" He held Kuribou aloft and rapidly waddled to the front door, but Kuribou had already finished by the time he reached it. Yuugi groaned. "You peed on me," he whined softly.

"Didn't make it, then?"

"Oh, geez!" Yuugi's heart leapt into his throat as it tried to make a getaway in his fright. But he quickly calmed down as he registered Ryou's voice. Turning, Yuugi spotted Ryou lying on the couch. A stray beam of moonlight was scattered across his face. His eyes were shut, asleep to all appearances. Amusingly, Yuugi thought, he looked like a scene from one of those old vampire movies Ryou loved to watch. The juxtaposition of the laptop closed on his stomach, however, gave the classic look a decidedly more modern feel. "Ryou?" Yuugi called uncertainly when his friend did not even shift. For half a moment, he thought he had hallucinated the inquiry. But then one brown eye opened to peer at him, and Yuugi shook his head.

"Nope," he finally answered, gesturing to Kuribou with his chin. "She might still have to do number two, so I'm taking her out anyway." He unlocked the door and Ryou cleared his throat.

"You should probably put on some pants then," Ryou said.

"Ugh," Yuugi groaned as if it were a great inconvenience, "fine."

"Tea?" Ryou asked, and Yuugi mumbled unintelligibly at him before retreating to his room once more. With a smile, Ryou rose from the couch and placed his laptop on the coffee table. "I'll get dressed," he said as he began to stretch his sore muscles.

"Why?" Yuugi called from his room.

Pushing his head around into a pleasant pop, Ryou sighed tiredly.

"Can't sleep anyway," he replied. "Hoping that walking you to work will make me tired enough to sleep." He paused before adding, "You should think about getting puppy pads, by the way. Less pup pee that way."

There was silence from Yuugi for all of three seconds before an incredulous snort split through the apartment, followed by, "Was that a pun?"

"Yep!" Ryou called back with a grin. "Seriously, though, think about it. Also, no pants required."

Another snort of laughter followed by an affirmative sound was his response, and Ryou left to his room to change.

x x x

For Yuugi Mutou, the rest of the week passed in much the same way, though with some variation in the amount of dog urine. In the end, he had given in and purchased the puppy pads Ryou suggested. Then all he had to do was drop Kuribou on one and everything was golden.

Pun not intended.

And, indeed, no pants required.

He was walked to work by a sleep-deprived Ryou, carefully watched and coddled by a worried Jounouchi, and then dragged home, again by Ryou. There was an odd feeling in the air, like waiting for the second shoe to drop. There was a distinct amount of pandering, too. It was as if everyone in his vicinity had donned their kid gloves with which to handle Yuugi.

In addition, he noted that conversation around him was far too careful. At work, if Juudai so much as spoke around him, Jounouchi would distract him with a menial task. With Juudai's love of speech, it took almost no time for Yuugi to catch on that topics even remotely related to Atemu were being avoided like the plague. Jounouchi had gone as far as to take Juudai under his wing entirely, leaving Rebecca for Yuugi to train and watch over.

It was not just Jounouchi either. Ryou also avoided everything and anything to do with his most recent emotional affair. That was the final nail in the coffin for Yuugi. Ryou was never one to beat around the bush or hold back his thoughts. Yuugi was dead certain his friends were working together for what he figured was the stability of his emotional well-being.

Even through the affection he felt for having such thoughtful friends, there came an undeniable frustration. He was sick of being treated as if he were not an adult who could handle his shit.

So that Friday, when Ryou showed up at half past three in the morning with a hot mug of tea "just the way he likes it", Yuugi sat up, threw off the covers and slammed his hands onto the bed.

Kuribou barked in surprise.

"This needs to stop," Yuugi said firmly. "I'm tired of being treated like I'm two seconds away from falling apart like — like I'm that girl from that really bad vampire movie —"

"Twilight is a classic," Ryou sniffed delicately, unmoved by Yuugi's scowl.

"You like bad movies," Yuugi countered wryly. "Excuse me if I don't take your word for it." Ryou smiled at that, and Yuugi shook his head, sighing. "I'm tired of being walked to work," he said, returning to his previous complaint. "I'm tired of everyone walking on egg shells like I'm gonna come at them with a machete." He snorted then, incredulous at the mere thought. "And I'm really tired of Jounouchi trying to do most of the work when we have a partnership."

Standing from the bed, Yuugi threw up his arms.

"Atemu broke up with me," he yelled, "but it's not the end of the world, so please, for the love of cheese, stop babying me! I'm fine!"

The smile dropped from Ryou's lips and he sighed, lowering the mug and cradling it between his two hands.

"Yuugi," he said, "we're not babying you." At the disbelieving rise of Yuugi's eyebrow, he shook his head. "We're just concerned." He watched Yuugi take a large breath and adjusted his hold on the mug before lifting a hand. "Hear me out," Ryou said, and he leaned against the frame, rhythmically tapping the mug in his hands with his fingers. Yuugi moved to sit on the end of the bed, patiently waiting. "Yeah," Ryou said and nodded, "we're being a little overbearing, and" — he shrugged, looking a little contrite — "sorry about that. Jounouchi and I are just being sensitive to what you must be feeling.

"But I swear I'm not waiting for you to fall apart," Ryou continued. "Thing is, ever since Atemu —" He broke off at Yuugi's wince and cleared his throat. "Ever since," Ryou repeated, "you've clammed up."

A frown furrowed Yuugi's brow, and Ryou nodded. He moved forth then, holding out the mug until Yuugi took it into tentative hands. Once he did, Ryou moved back to his space against the doorjamb. He tilted his head in a considering fashion, as if he were carefully weighing his words.

"I feel," Ryou said, "that you haven't talked about it." He shrugged. "Or of anything, really. You've been very quiet, and even mentioning Atemu's name — ah! See?" He stopped abruptly as Yuugi visibly twitched at the name and gestured at him. "You flinch, you cringe, you act like it hurts to hear his name!" Ryou breathed deeply, lowering his voice. "You say it's not a big deal, but I don't think that's entirely true. I wish you wouldn't internalize this, Yuugi." Ryou sighed. "I'm just waiting to see if you'll talk to me — or at least Jounouchi. Anyone, really. Hell, talk to Atemu and get out everything you held back. I remember you said you were thinking about it. And I didn't press, but I think it's a really good idea to get some closure."

He shrugged helplessly at the grimace on Yuugi's face.

"You don't have to talk to him if you really don't want to," Ryou said, "but I really wish you would."

Yuugi was silent, his gaze darting down to stare into his mug with a somber expression. Moving forward once again, Ryou sat next to him with another sigh, immediately greeted by an excited Kuribou. He allowed her to squirm onto his lap and patted her head.

"If not Atemu," Ryou said gently, resolutely ignoring the hunch of Yuugi's shoulders at the name, "at least talk to someone who loves you" — Yuugi's shoulders slouched at that, but Ryou persevered — "like me, Jounouchi, your mom. Hell, you haven't talked to Anzu in a while. I'm sure she'd be really happy to hear from you. I was talking to her just yesterday, and — oh, sorry, I forgot to tell you — she said to call her sometime when you weren't busy."

Yuugi glanced at him, brow furrowing, and Ryou smiled.

"I didn't tell her anything," Ryou assured him. "She assumed you've been busy, and I didn't correct her." He bumped Yuugi's shoulder with his own, encouraged when it brought the smallest hint of a smile to Yuugi's face. "We're all here for you."

"I couldn't bother Anzu," Yuugi replied with a roll of his eyes, setting the mug on his knee. "She's way too busy to talk."

"That wasn't my point and you know it," Ryou said as Kuribou abandoned him to get to Yuugi. "And Anzu would drop everything and talk to you in a heartbeat. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, don't hold it in. Just talk to us. Y'know, when you're ready."

For a moment, Yuugi did not reply, his brow furrowed in thought.

"Have I really been that quiet?" Yuugi asked disbelievingly.

"This is the longest conversation we've had all week, Yuugi," Ryou said seriously. He raised a hand to stop Yuugi's protest. "Tell me about a conversation we've had this week, that's longer than this, and I'll take that back." He waited a few seconds, watching Yuugi struggle as he tried to recall anything they might have talked about. Ryou took a breath. "I also noticed you haven't been eating," he said delicately. "And I'm not the only one. Jounouchi says you barely eat lunch or anything he tries to give you."

Yuugi lifted his head, frowning before his expression cleared into one of startled comprehension.

"Is that why Jounouchi keeps making me taste everything?" Yuugi asked incredulously. "Oh, my god, that's embarrassing." He covered his face with one hand, groaning.

"Yuugi," Ryou admonished softly, and Yuugi sighed heavily as Kuribou wormed her way onto his lap. He did not say anything for a moment, dropping the hand to scratch lightly behind Kuribou's ears. Ryou did not pressure him, waiting patiently as Yuugi let out a breath and ducked his head.

"I didn't realize I was acting like that," Yuugi said reluctantly, patting Kuribou's head. "I kind of don't believe it."

"Everyone's noticed," Ryou said bluntly, and he promptly pretended not to notice the bright flush of mortification filling Yuugi's face. "Jounouchi's been keeping Juudai away from you because he's concerned as well. Thankfully, your other employee is more tactful, but I've heard she's also side-eyeing you."

"I thought I was acting normally," Yuugi muttered, his flush making its way up to his ears.

Everyone? He thought. Cheese, everyone knows about this? He fought hard not to crawl back into bed and bury himself in the comforter for the rest of the week.

"Are you're admitting it's been an act?" Ryou asked, and Yuugi rubbed at his face, annoyed.

"Okay, yeah," Yuugi said, huffing defensively. "I've been hiding that I'm bummed out. Sue me. I'm allowed to feel crappy after getting dumped." He dropped his hands to his lap, petting Kuribou who happily welcomed his touch. "If it even counts," he murmured to himself. "Considering we didn't do actual dates."

"We feel —"

"We?" Yuugi asked archly.

"I feel," Ryou corrected himself, "that what you're going through is about more than just getting dumped, Yuugi." He waved his hands haphazardly. "You're not going through your usual breakup routine. When Siegfried dumped you, you ate a lot, gained weight, and you talked about it. Nonstop. You were crying about it to total strangers, Yuugi." He shot Yuugi a pointed look at that, and Yuugi looked away, skin prickling with humiliation at the memory.

"In my defense," Yuugi said stiffly. "That was one time and I was wasted, considering it was you and Jounouchi who dragged me to that club." He huffed. "So that's your fault."

Ryou snorted, undoubtedly recalling the night in question by the wicked smirk on his lips.

"Maybe so," Ryou said dismissively. "But my point is that you were severely afflicted with verbal diarrhea. Not just with Siegfried either. You did it with your other exes too." He took a breath. "You talked and we listened. And we're willing to listen now. Because we love you." He shook his head, turning to face Yuugi. "But you're not doing that this time." he said. "You're just this … I dunno. You've become a brick wall. You're acting like it didn't happen or that anything's really happening."

"You're saying I'm like, what," Yuugi asked, raising his head to meet Ryou's eyes, "stagnant?"

"Yes," Ryou said. He shrugged and ventured, "Maybe it hasn't really hit you yet?"

Yuugi did not confirm or deny it. He returned to staring at his lap where Kuribou happily chewed on his thumb with sharp little teeth. He would have to feed her soon. Lifting her to his chest with one hand, he pressed a kiss to her head.

She eagerly licked at his chin.

"I guess," Yuugi slowly said, mulling over his words, "this whole thing with Atemu's been affecting me more than I thought." He put Kuribou down and placed his face into his hand. She whined unhappily. Groaning, Yuugi ran his free hand through his hair. "Truthfully?" he said quietly, "I haven't been able to stop thinking about him."

Ryou nodded.

"That's understandable," Ryou said.

Taking a deep breath, Yuugi slowly straightened as if he was gathering his wits about himself.

"Yes," Yuugi said flatly, gesturing at nothing, "I'm hurt that it's over. I liked Atemu a lot. I wanted to take him out on dates, take him to all the places I like, like the arcade or the laser tag place on Elm." He thought back over his and Atemu's texts, his heart squeezing in his chest with loss. "I wanted to make him food, make food with him, see if he actually likes tofu or if he just said that because I did. Maybe get out my old deck and spend a whole night just being lame and playing against him at Duel Monsters and then hate myself the next morning because I need to work, but not even regretting it."

He looked down at his mug again, staring into it as if trying to find answers within the murky green liquid.

"And," Yuugi continued, voice softer, "when I was sure we were going to be serious, let him meet my parents — all that stuff." Kuribou growled playfully, chewing on Yuugi's shirt and pulling at it. He gently removed it from her jaw, distracting her with his fingers. His expression was crestfallen when he looked back up at Ryou.

"We're not going to do any of that stuff now, and it really sucks," he said, emphatic, "but that pain will pass eventually, I guess. What's really bothering me is why he changed his mind when he seemed so sure." He shrugged, bewildered. "Which is fine — I mean, it's his prerogative to decide what he wants for himself, but my issue isn't that he dumped me. It's why he dumped me. It's bugging the hell out of me. It was just — he didn't give me any warning!"

The hand with the mug went wide in Yuugi's confusion, and Ryou hastily reached out to keep it from spilling.

"I have no idea what happened," Yuugi said, sounding utterly confused. "What changed!"

Breathing deeply, Yuugi shook his head and resettled himself.

"I can get over Atemu," he repeated. "I just need some time for that. But I — no, baby, that's not for you." Yuugi gently pushed Kuribou away from his mug as she began to sniff curiously at it. Lifting it away, he tapped her nose before his gaze turned distant. "I can't get over this not knowing. I need to know why he just dropped me out of nowhere."

"Then find out," Ryou said without hesitation. He ignored the look Yuugi cast him for it. "You were thinking about it anyway. Call him, meet up, whatever you have to do. Get that closure." He reached out and gripped Yuugi's shoulder. "And I'm here for whatever else you need, okay? I can squeeze it out of him if you want. I know a girl who can operate one of those car compactors. She's discreet, too."

A surge of affection for his friend welled up inside of Yuugi. Grateful, he smiled.

"Not funny," Yuugi sighed, though his smile remained.

"Sorry," Ryou shrugged, though his mien was unrepentant. "Trying to lighten the mood."

"Thanks, Ryou."

x x x

Ten minutes after waking up, Atemu was dressed and taking his backpack from the floor of his bedroom. He quickly made his way to the door and paused, taking a moment to adjust the strap over his shoulder. With a deep breath to brace himself, he rolled his shoulders and let it out in a sigh. Shaking his hands out, he opened the door and made his way out, his steps light and careful as he could make them as he headed for the foyer.

He could hear nothing as he walked, glancing about carefully down gilded hallways with more delicate furniture than use. He braced himself at every corner he came to, but as he continued on, he saw no one in the halls. Slowly, his shoulders lowered, relief loosening him up. But as he arrived at the front of the mansion, he drew up short, the tension back in his body as if it had never left.

Fuck, he thought.

"Morning." The greeting was stiff in Atemu's mouth, reluctant to leave it. At the door, stood his mother, impeccably dressed in a white pantsuit. Beside her was a maid, the same one that had greeted him upon his return to this house. She held a platter in her hands. There was fruit, toast, and three different kinds of jam.

Warily, he cast a glance about, but did not see his father.

"Good morning, Atemu," his mother said before motioning to the tray. "You haven't had breakfast." Her heavy-lidded gaze took him in, lips pursing briefly before softening into something more neutral.

"I'll eat at school," Atemu mumbled, avoiding her gaze, and Adira patted the maid's shoulder, waving her away.

"Have a good day at school then," Adira said, and Atemu nodded, mutely passing her.

He saw movement at the corner of his eye, like a flicker of a hand reaching for him, but when he turned, his mother's hands were clasped before her. Confused, he waited for a second, looking at her closely. But she merely stared back. Frowning, he chalked it up to a trick of the light bouncing off his mother's golden bangles, and turned away.

"Bye," he said, and he exited the house, closing the door behind him. Immediately, his already dour mood plummeted, frown turning into a scowl as his eyes met familiar green.

"Ugh, you again," Atemu groused.

"What?" Otogi replied from where he leaned against his car. "The past week wasn't enough of an indication of your new normal? Shouldn't have pulled that little stunt last week, then."

"I figured after a week of putting up with you, I'd be allowed to go to school on my own," Atemu answered truthfully. "Are you really going to be driving me every single day until graduation?"

"You're telling me," Otogi replied from where he leaned against his car. "I've been reduced to this" — he gestured towards himself with thinly-veiled disgust — "a babysitter. Ugh, it's gross. Just get in the car so I can get this over with. You're not the only thing I need to take care of today."

"I hate you," Atemu said as he passed him. Otogi, however, laughed as if he had said a hilarious joke.

"Always a delight," he replied. "It's too bad you've got that mouth on you."

"If you start hitting on me, I'm jumping out of the car," Atemu said as he climbed in.

"Don't tempt me," Otogi muttered as he followed suit.

When they pulled up outside the school, Atemu removed his seatbelt before Otogi had fully stopped and grabbed the handle.

"Hold up," Otogi said, and Atemu tensed.

"What?" He asked, but he did not look at him, his hand clenching upon the handle.

"Remember not to do anything stupid," Otogi said. "I'll be watching."

It was the same warning Otogi had given him a week ago when he had first driven Atemu to school. His hackles rose in anger at the memory, his stomach clenching, and the knuckles of his fingertips rapidly turning white.

"I have school," Atemu said in annoyance, turning to glare at him with one hand on the door handle. He wanted nothing more than to get as far from Otogi as possible. "What the fuck could I possibly do to make my father mad? He doesn't give a shit as long as I don't see Yuugi."

"Well there's the thing," Otogi said with a grin. "Your little friends have phones too. Your father can track your call records, but he can't track your friends'." He shrugged. "Maybe you'll be tempted to call him." He removed one hand from the steering wheel and held up a finger, moving it side to side. "Don't do it," he whispered.

But unlike the previous week when it had left Atemu stunned and paranoid that Otogi had somehow found out he had texted Yuugi from Yuusei's phone, his warning now chafed at him like a physical discomfort.

"Fuck off," Atemu grunted, taking his backpack from the floor and exiting the vehicle.

"Don't slam the —"

"Fuck you," Atemu said, and he slammed the door. He walked away, shoulders stiff and lips pressed tightly together. He swept into the school fuming, his chest tight and his jaw clenched. It was only when he reached his locker that he paused, Otogi's words echoing in his head as they had done all week.

There's no way he knows I texted Yuugi with Yuusei's phone, Atemu thought, revisiting his paranoia from earlier in the week. His heart skittered inside him in muted panic. Every move he made felt watched, unsafe. The lack of privacy his father gave him made him anxious and frustrated. Terrified of incurring his father's wrath, Atemu had gone as far as to avoid Juudai and, by proxy, Yuusei as well.

A deep sigh left him, and he leaned forward, pressing his forehead to the cold metal of his locker. He closed his eyes and took a bracing breath before straightening his shoulders and pushing his thoughts aside for the moment. Pulling back, he decided he would figure his situation out. He just needed time. Meanwhile, he had school to deal with.

Grabbing the books he needed, Atemu began to place them in his backpack. He was just about to close his locker, when he paused, his eyes zeroing in at a book he had pushed aside.

Baking For Dummies by Emily Nolan.

Juudai had gifted it to him the year prior. It was a used book, previously from a library by the stickers on the binding and the struck barcode on the cover. Undoubtedly, Juudai had stumbled upon it in a used books store and purchased it as a joke. Regardless of the joke, Atemu had taken to reading through it when he was bored. It was actually one of his more precious possessions because there had been no holiday or birthday behind it. It had just been a thoughtful gift between friends.

Not that he would ever admit to Juudai how happy it made him that Juudai had thought of him. The gloating alone would be unbearable. However, due to his increasing shifts at the jazz club that year, he had had little time to do much more than eat, sleep, and study, and as such, had forgotten about the book entirely. And every time he had gone into his locker, he had overlooked it — a thoughtful present, sure — but it had been just another book.

But it was not just another book anymore. Not now, while he was utterly lovelorn over a baker. It was a painful reminder of his short-lived love, and it was the reminder of Yuugi that stopped him from shutting the locker and walking away.

I miss him.

He breathed slowly, as if his lungs had atrophied in the past few seconds and a quicker intake of breath would harm him. He tried to smother the memories of Yuugi, his desires and hopes. But the most dangerous thought he had tried to hold down surfaced like a body from a lake, slow and lifeless, but unequivocally lucid.

I could call him, he thought recklessly, I could use Yuusei's phone. How would my father know? I could hide our relationship — somehow.

But a dark thought followed his brief elation quick on its heels, draining the mild hope he had managed to gather.

He would find out, you know he would, it said. And Yuugi would pay the price, you moron.

His heart skipped a beat and dread filled his stomach.

"Atemu."

The soft voice ripped him from his musings and Atemu froze for a split second before shutting the locker harshly. Maybe, if he closed it hard enough, he could do the same to his thoughts. Affixing the lock, he did not turn to the voice. He knew without looking who it was. He would recognize Yuusei's voice even in his sleep.

"Class, talk later," Atemu muttered, and he started walking, tense as he expected a second try for his attention. But the further he went, the more relaxed he became, until he eventually turned the corner and realized he had not been stopped.

Breathing deeply, Atemu continued on his way, heading for his class. Guilt churned inside him. He had not spoken to Yuusei for the entirety of the last week. He was aware that Yuusei deserved some sort of explanation, but he could not muster up the strength for that conversation.

Not yet, anyway. He knew he could not put it off forever, but Atemu needed some time. Just a little more time.

As he made to turn into his classroom, Atemu paused, catching sight of a familiar wave of blonde. Turning his head, he was surprised to find Rebecca Hopkins standing just outside the door of the next classroom. He was more surprised to find that she was not glaring at him, though her jaw was clenched. Several books were gripped tightly in her hands, and he could see that most of them were for prepping on the SATs.

Her blue eyes bored into him, and her lips pursed in a reluctant sneer. After a second of thought, she huffed and took one determined step towards him. With that unusual move, Atemu felt his fight-or-flight response instantly kick in.

He registered her mouth parting to speak before he turned away and walked into his classroom, avoiding her entirely. When he had reached his desk on the far side of the room, he looked back and saw her standing just outside the door, a mutinous expression on her face. She did glare at him then, viciously so, and for a few moments, Atemu felt as if he were at a standoff.

He stood his ground, staring back at her, unwavering and trying not to blink. A ridiculous hind-brain reaction like he was prey. Like Rebecca was some creature who could eat him whole if he dropped his guard even a little.

After a moment, however, Rebecca took one look at the filled classroom before her gaze returned to him. Scoffing soundlessly, she walked away.

Atemu's shoulders fell as he breathed a sigh of relief.

Slipping his backpack off his shoulder, Atemu slid into his chair and set the bag on the floor beside him. His brow furrowed as he stared at the laminate wood of his desk. He did not know what Rebecca wanted, but it could not bode well for him. Nothing that had to do with Rebecca Hopkins could be good for him. She absolutely despised him, after all. Atemu genuinely feared being caught alone with her. She was smart, a genius really, and he did not doubt she could kill him if she really wanted. Not that he thought she would — because that was preposterous — but just the mere fact that she could was enough to instill a healthy well of fear in him. So, really, staying away from her was just common sense.

He sighed, leaning his chin onto his hand.

It was then that the sudden thought came to him: Rebecca was Yuugi's employee.

Head darting up off his hand, Atemu looked at the door and gulped thickly. He recalled the look on her face when he had seen her, the reluctant and prideful sneer that had overtaken her. He remembered how she had stood outside her classroom, as if waiting for him to show up.

Atemu's eyes widened.

He felt the impulse to run to the door and call for her, his throat drawing tight with the need. But he quickly shot that feeling down and clenched his hands upon the desk to keep himself in place.

Did she want to tell me something? He wondered, and again, that soft hope from earlier flitted into his peripheral. Maybe Yuugi gave her a message for me? Immediately, Atemu shook his head and scoffed to himself, shoving the thought away. No way, he thought, self-deprecatingly. Yuugi's probably glad to be rid of me — the pathetic puppy following him around.

The teacher walked into the room then, and Atemu bent to the side to retrieve his backpack as the students around him settled down and found their seats.

No way, Atemu insisted to himself as he pulled out his economics book. No way did Yuugi send a message for me. Not through Rebecca anyway. He sighed as the teacher began to speak. Atemu opened his book to the appropriate page number and looked down at it, but his gaze unwittingly wandered back to the door.

The flame of hope in his chest still burned.

A/N: Repeating my news just in case.

Tl;dr: No more updates for FFnet! If you wanna continue enjoying this fic, go to ao3 (author: nana_banana).