Tea's POV
I can't believe this is happening.
I lean back, resting my head on the wall and for a moment I let the throbbing behind my temples lul my mind into silence. Everything that happened today is just too much. First Yugi goes missing, then Ryou is possessed by Bakura to lure Atem into a trap, then he's forced into a duel, a Shadow Game no less. Then, as if that wasn't enough, Atem, Ryou and I almost drown and Yugi is suddenly possessed by the Millennium Puzzle and frightens off Bakura? What even is happening?
I don't know what kind of torment Bakura put him through but it seemed like a lot. And somehow Atem has the Millennium Key? How did that happen?
"Tea." Joey comes up to me, Tristan beside him with a coffee in his hands. He hands it to me and I am so grateful for it.
"Thank you."
"How you doing?" Joey asks me, readjusting my blanket for me. I'm so relieved they're still talking to me after everything Yugi and I have been through lately.
"I'm … at capacity." I laugh weakly with them. "So much has happened."
"You got that right." Tristan sighs.
"How is Ryou?" I ask. I know for a fact that at least Ryou can be seen. Yugi and Atem… well they're not allowed company unless it's family right now. So until Grandpa comes out we won't know how they're doing.
"He's got a broken wrist. They're about to take him in for some xrays." Tristan says, grimacing.
"He was so brave. To stand up to Bakura like he did." I hummed pleasantly.
"What happened? How did you guys get there?" Joey asked me.
"Ryou woke up. He told he knew where Bakura took Yugi so we left immediately. I couldn't get a hold of anyone but by the time we had gotten to the wharf the Shadow Game had already begun. I noticed something in the boat house so we went in and found Bakura up stairs. He didn't see us but Ryou came up with the idea to attack him, to try and get the Rod from him. I was supposed to catch it and run. He attacked Bakura with a fire extinguisher, managed to get the Rod and he threw it. I caught it and I just got to the door when DiaBound stopped me. I heard Ryou scream and then DiaBound took me to Bakura. He took the Rod back and Diabound took us both outside after him. You know the rest."
"Damn, Ryou attacked him? Go dude." Tristan said, impressed. I am too. Considering how afraid he was of Bakura, he was very brave. It's not easy to face your demons. I know this too well… and my demons have almost cost me the best friends I could ever ask for.
"How did we get out of the water?" I ask.
"Well after DiaBound threw you both under Yugi sort of started to glow and then he dove under. I don't know what happened exactly but there was a bright light under the water and then all of a sudden this giant pyramid of light burst from the water, with you guys and Yugi inside it." Joey explained, animating this large shape before him.
"Yeah then it shattered and you guys fell onto the wharf. Yugi landed softly but he … well you saw him. He was glowing and looked kinda … powerful?" Tristan suggested. I'm glad I'm not the only one unsure how to explain it.
"Right. I think it was the Puzzle." I say and they nod in agreement.
"Yeah. I dunno what he did but that Puzzle was definitely doing some cool magic stuff." Joey said.
"Think they'll be okay?" Tristan asks.
"Well… hopefully. I mean Yugi's been through a lot. From breaking some kids hand at school to being controlled by the one person that's truly gotten under his skin to crazy egyptian possession." Joey says.
"Then there's Atem. He almost lost Yugi today and then almost drowned? Not to mention he's not used to this kind of cold. Yugi got sick from the rain, I hate to think of what this will do to Atem." I say.
"Yeah. It's not looking good but we gotta be strong for em. They're going to need it." Joey says optimistically. He's right of course. It won't do them any good if we don't believe in them. They're in the hospitals hands now … I'm sure they'll pull through.
Grandpa is walking over to us now and we rise to meet him. Surely he knows how they're doing!
"Hey Gramps, hows our boys doing?" Joey asks eagerly.
"They're stable. They're treating Atem for 2nd degree Hypothermia and he won't be able to be seen for a few hours yet. They're trying to remove the Millennium Puzzle from Yugi but they're … encountering problems. It seems it does not wish to leave him but until it does they cannot run any scans. That aside, his body is suffering from extreme exhaustion and they're doing what they can to relieve him. They can't find anything else wrong with him though so for the moment he is stable and on the mend. We can go see him."
"That Puzzle am I right?" Joey asks with a laugh, but I can hear the concern in his voice. He's trying to remain positive and upbeat but he is just as worried as the rest of us.
"How is Ryou?" Grandpa asks us.
"Broken wrist. They're gonna do some xrays and then once he's casted we can probably take him home." Tristan says.
"He shouldn't be alone tonight." I say out of no where. I believe it to be true but I'm not sure why I thought of it. It's true though. After all he's been through he should definitely not be alone.
"I'll take him to mine. He'll be right." Tristan gives me a thumbs up and wink. Thats a relief.
"Wanna go see Yug?" Joey offers us.
"He isn't awake yet but so long as we're careful." Grandpa says.
So here we are, in Yugi's room. He's sound asleep … or at least he appears that way. They haven't taken his school uniform off yet save for his jacket and shoes and his hair is still damp. One of the nurses is still hovering around making sure the monitors they've placed on him is fitted right. He's got a drip in one arm and his hearts being monitored too but it seems to be steady. He looks so peaceful now, like he could just be sleeping. The Puzzle too is on his chest, glowing brightly.
"Poor guy." Tristan says quietly, almost a whisper as we surround him.
"He is resting now. Visiting hours will end in an hour but it is unlikely he will wake before then. He has been through a lot, evidently." The nurse said kindly. She has no idea just how much.
"Thank you." Grandpa said politely and she bowed and left, closing the door behind her.
I feel so bad. For everything. For my attitude, for my vicious attacks on him. He doesn't deserve any of that. I can't fault him for loving Atem and I can't fault Atem for loving him. They're both terrific … and so right for each other. Who am I to get defensive over something that never belonged to me. Yugi has had Atem's heart for years … and he is right to.
The murder in Yugi's eyes when he saw us in danger, the strength he carried and the power he held in our defence, despite everything going on between us. He saved our lives… he saved my life. After everything I said to him, after how much I hurt him and he still saved my life. My vicious moods, and then that jerk Koji … and before all of that there was Bakura. I was ignorant of everything going on with Yugi before because my focus was selfishly on Atem, but I should have seen him struggling. Yugi is my best friend and we have been for years. I should have seen his pain and been happy for him when he found reprieve and love in Atem. Atem is the one good thing that's happened to Yugi since everything began. And I wanted to tear that down.
And still… he saved me. Maybe I was just in the area but he still saved me.
When he wakes up… I'm going to apologise. Wholeheartedly. He doesn't need to accept it. He doesn't even need to want me in his life anymore, but he needs to know that I am sorry. For everything. And that he has my support even if I have ruined everything between us.
Gently I touch his cold, still hand and I try to reach for him. I pray, to anyone who will listen, to him: come back to us Yugi. Please. Please come back to us.
Yugi's POV
I wake calmly to the blissful feel of soft sheets and soothing light. It's a strange feeling almost, to be awake. I feel sleep still heavily on me but for some reason I stir and it skittters away like a flutter of butterflies. I don't feel so heavy though. In fact I feel like I'm floating and this is okay. I can float here. This is nice.
As I turn my head though into the deep, soft pillow I smell a scent I'm not familiar with. It's clean but like… a sterile clean. And this pillow doesn't feel like mine. I like mine soft, but not this soft. And mine has a scent to it, like an african scent: warm and spicy, like smoked herbs and sandalwood.
I crack my eyes open and blink the bright light away to spy the white pillow beneath me and white room I'm in. This isn't my room. Judging by the smell and cleanliness of it, and the way it's set out this looks like a hospital. But… why am I…?
Oh! I was in a fight recently. Bakura… and Atem. He made me duel him! Oh my god what happened!?
I sit up immediately and to my shocking surprise I see Tea sitting in an armchair reading a magazine. She looks at me, blinks in surprise and then smiles but I don't understand. Why is she here? Doesn't she hate me? Where's Atem? Not for nothing but I'd sure like the company of someone who doesn't hate me.
"Yugi." She sighs in relief and comes to my side.
"Tea." I say uneasily. She stands by my bed, hands held nervously before her but she doesn't exude the same unpleasantness as she did before. In fact she seems … shy almost. A vast change considering how nasty she was yesterday.
"It's good to see you finally awake. How are you feeling?" She asks kindly and patiently. This is weird. Why is she being so nice to me? Where's Atem? Is this a dream?
"Uhh, confused. What happened? Where is everyone?" I ask and she gives me a small smile, casting her eyes downward in thought.
"Grandpa left to get something to eat. Joey, Tristan and Ryou aren't here. They might come around later though. Atem… he's still sleeping."
Sleeping… which means he's okay… right? Or it's early and he's at home… which means … today might not be today?
"Right." I say slowly, trying to get my thoughts together. So why is she here? Again, I thought she hated me.
"Yugi. I'm so relieved you're awake. We've all been so worried about you. Even the doctors. They couldn't get the Puzzle off you to do any scans so they just had to … well guess." She said. Puzzle?
I feel it now, the weight on my lap and the metal on my neck. Why do I have the Puzzle? Atem's the one who wears it now since I don't … like… wait it feels fine. It doesn't matter to me at all that it's on me. I can even move the chain and it's nothing. Like my clothing or a second skin it matters not that it's touching me. I don't feel afraid of it at all. That's strange. Welcomed but strange. This has to be a dream.
"Am I dreaming?" I ask her and the giggle… that cute, friendly giggle I missed so much.
"No. I'm sure you have a lot of questions though."
"Yeah… like… don't you hate me?" I ask shyly. Straight forward. I don't want to mess around, I want answers. And she seems in a good mood at the moment to handle my bluntness.
Her smile falters though and she looks, sad almost. She sighs heavily but I don't think she's mad… I hope.
"No. I never hated you Yugi. I was angry… and I took it out on you and that was wrong. I was angry at myself. I was blinded by my jealousy and that almost cost me my best friend. I am so sorry Yugi. For everything I said, for hurting you so much. Joey and Tristan told me what Atem had told them, about how hurt you were after our fight. I was hurt too but … Yugi I am just so sorry. I don't mean what I said and I support your relationship with him. All I want is for all of us to be happy, to have my best friend back. You don't have to accept my apology and you don't have to forgive me. If I hurt you too much then I'll leave you be; I just want you to know that I'd like to make it up to you, that I want to support you and I am truly, very sorry."
Did… she just… wh-what? Where did this come from? Yesterday she was tearing my throat out and today she's apologising? Did I die or something?
Um… strangely I don't even feel mad though. I feel like I should be, because the things she said were very hurtful but … I think I just want to move past this now and go back to what we were. We can talk about it in depth later but for now… I can accept this. After all, I said some nasty things too so it's not like I'm a saint.
"I'm sorry too. For the things I said. I didn't handle it very responsibly and it was immature of me to act the way I did. Truth is… part of me thought you were right so I guess… I kinda lashed out at you too. I'm sorry. Friends?"
She beamed so brightly, trying hard to contain it but the sparkle in her eyes, the roses in his cheeks, they gave it away. I made the right decision.
"Friends." She agrees.
Good. Now with that out of the way.
"So what happened? I barely remember anything. I know bits and pieces but it doesn't make sense."
"Right. So … Bakura struck. Do you remember that?"
"Yes. A bit. I remember running and then I was captured by someone. Then I remember briefly being at the docks? I was facing Atem and I was being forced to duel him… then …. Oh! I saw DiaBound carrying you and Ryou and I saw Bakura. I didn't feel afraid of him. I felt angry … because he was controlling me. I think… I remember Atem's voice calling me back, trying to tell me to fight him … but I don't know what's real. I told Bakura to put you guys down and then all of you were sent under water. Everything is a big haze after that. All I remember is warmth and golden light and this, soothing singing. And now it's now."
"Right so there are big holes in your memory. Most of it I wasn't there for but I heard from the guys that Bakura had been controlling you with the Millennium Rod. You initiated a Shadow Game and were dueling Atem. I don't know how intense it got but Ryou and I managed to disrupt Bakura long enough for Atem to use the Millennium Key to break you free. Then Bakura was trying to get back control but you were fighting him and Atem surrendered the duel, which gave you complete ownership of the Puzzle and that's what kept you free of Bakura. Then somehow you used the puzzle to bring us out of the water and scare off Bakura. You were like a God Yugi, it was incredible."
A god? Me? No way.
"I wouldn't say a god…" I chuckle nervously but she shakes her head no.
"No really. You were glowing and everything. Your eyes went gold, you sent DiaBound flying. You saved our lives. It was scary, but it was so cool too." She said. She's serious. I can't believe she's serious.
I sit here, dumbfounded and staring at the puzzle because I hardly believe I could do that… but maybe… with the Puzzle.
"You said we were in a Shadow Game and Atem forfeited?!" I ask immediately. Please tell me sleeping isn't code for he has no soul now!
"Oh the Shadow Game ended when Atem momentarily broke your connection to Bakura, with the Key. When he forfeited it was only a duel. Don't worry his soul is fine."
Oh that god. Wait… the Key?
"How did he get the Key? Did Shadi turn up?"
"I don't know that. I'm afraid only Atem would know and he hasn't woken up yet."
Right… woken up yet?
"Is he okay?" I ask urgently and she doesn't fill me with confidence. Her expression is difficult, like she herself doesn't even know.
"It's been 2 days since you were both brought here. He was recovering from stage 2 hypothermia but his immune system isn't too strong so now he's running a high fever and they're monitoring him closely. For now, all we can do is pray he's strong enough to fight everything going on inside him."
He's sick… oh no! I was afraid this would happen. He hasn't had all his injections yet, he's 5000 years out of his time, his body can't handle a cold… and he was underwater that's why he's sick. Oh no!
"I have to go see him." I say, swinging my legs over the side of the bed but that was a mistake to do too quickly. I didn't know I was attached to a drip and the tugging doesn't feel great.
"Wait! Not so fast. I'll get a nurse, just stay here. Don't get up." She says quickly and rushes out the door.
Thankfully we are allowed to see him. It breaks my heart though to see him so weak. He's always so strong, my pillar of strength. An immovable force that weather anything. To see him lay upon this hospital bed attached to all manner of wires and tubes, with a breathing mask and several drips that I only know one to be water… it's foreign to me. And almost too much to witness. I kind of want to leave the room now, and pretend I didn't see this but I must be here for him. He risked so much to save me from Bakura, and has done so much for me in the past; the least I can do is sit in his room and wait.
"It's hard, isn't it?" Tea asks me quietly, as if afraid to wake him. I don't think he's waking any time soon. Not if they've got him this hooked up.
"It is. I never thought I'd ever see something like this." I said miserably. I wish I could help him. I can't believe a single dip in the water gave way to such a strong illness. I don't know how long it took me to get them out but it surely couldn't have been too long… right?
"How long was he underwater for?" I ask.
"Um… maybe a minute, almost 2? He was drowning when you saved us. He couldn't hold his breath for too long and eventually he was swallowing water. Joey and Tristan had to give him CPR when we surfaced. He wasn't breathing."
I can't stop the sob. I didn't see it, but the vague image in my head of him not breathing is too much. I can't believe I almost lost him and I didn't see it. I saved his life but I still could have lost him and I wouldn't have known. If he died that day I wouldn't have known until now …
"Hey. It's okay, he's strong." She says and I know that but the thought of losing him… for any period of time… I just wish I knew. I wish I could have been there, just in case.
"I know but … we could have lost him… and I wouldn't have known. I don't remember any part of being possessed by the puzzle and if he di-"
"I know." She says, cutting me off but I am grateful for it. "You feel guilty. But Yugi, don't. You saved our lives. If it weren't for you I, Ryou and Atem wouldn't be here. And if you hadn't been defending us against Bakura we still might not be here. All of us. We owe you so much Yugi, don't go blaming yourself for how it could have ended up. Atem needs your strength now, more than anything." She said.
She's right. I can feel as guilty as I like for almost missing what could have happened but right now, in this moment, he needs me to believe in him. He fought tooth and nail to set me free, now he's battling his own battle and I won't abandon him so I can wallow in self pity and shame.
"Thank you Tea." I say, stronger now. If I'm going to cry I'll do it later. For now, lets be strong.
"There you kids are."
We look to see Grandpa carrying a couple of cups of coffee and my heart leaps to see him. My body isn't so quick being still attached to this drip but when he comes over and gives his coffee to Tea to hold he is careful but firm in our hug. I'm so relieved to see him. It feels as if it's been forever! I know it was only one afternoon that I was possessed and out of my mind but it honestly feels like it's been weeks since I've seen him.
"So glad you're up, finally." He says cheerfully, nuzzling my hair and petting my back. I squeeze him as best I can and lean heavily onto his shoulder, loving the familiar, homie scent. He is the one thing that doesn't smell like hospital and I love it.
"Me too. Sorry for worrying you." I say as he releases me.
"It's okay. I always believed you would pull through. You're a Moto and we don't go down so easily."
I smile at that. It's not wrong. I get my stubbornness from him I think and he's the most stubborn person I know.
"Hopefully certain Egyptian Pharaoh's don't too." Tea says, bringing our attention back to Atem.
"Yeah." I say quietly.
"He's a strong lad. If he can handle 5000 years inside a puzzle without going insane, he can handle a little cold."
He's right. Atem has been through a lot in his life, not just with us. He lived through snake bites, an Ancient Egyptian civilisation where their medicine was advanced for their age but not like ours. He fought Bakura which took him voluntarily sacrificing himself… he can pull through this. A little cold, a flu, he'll be fine. He's in good hands in this hospital and he's got us believing in him. Not to mention he knows if he dies then I'll be finding a way to bring him back so I can kick his ass.
I touch his hand where I can, feel how damp his skin is with his temperature and I try to reach him. I may not be able to mind link with him like we used to, but I want him to know I'm here and waiting.
Do you hear me? Can you feel me here? I'm free and alive because of you. So do me a favor, and come back to me. Please. Please keep fighting, and come back to me.
I feel this strange idea form in my head then. Like a message from somewhere. An idea that isn't my own. Before I know it, I'm convinced it will work; so I remove the Puzzle from around my neck and gently I place it within his palm. I'm too nervous to drape it around his neck with all the tubes and such, but his palm should do and as soon it's nestled in it begins to glow. At least the eye lights up. I feel satisfied … so I guess if that was the puzzle talking to me then I must have done what it wanted. Maybe it wanted to be with its former master….
Former. Feels weird to say that. It's always been his puzzle, or our puzzle. It's weird to think he relinquished it to me.
"Thats what the puzzle was doing when it was attached to you and the doctors couldn't remove it." Grandpa said.
I remember Tea saying that. I don't know how they couldn't remove it though, it's not that heavy.
"Why couldn't they remove it?" I ask and he shrugs.
"It was either too heavy for some or would disappear in their hands only to reappear on you. It wouldn't leave you."
Thats weird. "And that didn't freak them out? Some magic necklace just doing magic things in front of them?"
"It was remarkable. They've never seen anything like it and still can't explain it. It's a wonder they didn't do more about it." Gramps said, just as impressed as I am.
"I wonder if it was healing you." Tea supposed. Somehow I think that's the case. I can't explain how but it feels right to me.
"I think so. I think thats why it wanted me to give it to him. I think it's healing him now." I say, with no proof at all.
"Fingers crossed. We believe in him but he still could do with all the help he can get." She says, I hum in agreement.
Atems POV
I wake feeling like the world is either spinning around me or trying to swallow me. Its a bit nauseating but at least I'm warm. Gloriously warm. This blanket feels like the finest satin. I could snuggle into this for the rest of my days.
And I try to, until I feel a weight on my side and uncomfortable tugging at my arms.
I check the weight first and spy messy black, red and gold hair resting upon me, the boy belonging to it fast asleep. I feel so much familiarity towards him and then my vision clears more and I know now, its my dear Yugi. Sleeping on his arms against my hip. Hes so cute asleep like this but … why is he down there and not beside me?
Actually… these white sheets, this bed, his chair … we're not home. Where are we? And why is he dressed in his winter Pyjamas? He hasn't worn them in ages, evident by the space between his elbow and wrists. Theyre much too small for him now.
"Sabah alkhyr ya Pharaoh."
I turn to the voice of Solomon Moto beside me, just coming up to me now with his head bowed low and his fist to his chest. I do not understand why he is bowing to me though. I am not royalty anymore, and I have stressed before that I am just like everyone else. Also… why did he speak Egyptian?
"Em hotep, Mr. Moto." I say tiredly and quietly lest I wake Yugi.
Mr. Moto looks up, wide eyed and smiling in joyful surprise… maybe even hope. I dont get it though. He spoke in Egyptian, its only polite I do too.
"Atem?" He asks carefully. Im so confused.
"Yes?" I ask back, matching his wariness. He sighed in relief and stood up straight, stretching his back.
"Thank the gods. I was hoping I might not have to put up with an irritated Pharaoh today." He chuckled.
I don't know how to take that.
"What do you mean?" I ask. I'm not an irritated Pharaoh.
"Well… you have been… haha a little… testy lately." He laughs nervously. He examines me while I comprehend this, trying to think of the last few days but I can't remember anything beyond being at home with him and Yugi. I think.
I remember walking him to school… umm … then spending a quiet day at home. The shop was closed. I was minding my business… definitely not being 'testy' as he put it.
"I am afraid I do not understand." I say slowly, trying hard to remember more. I feel like there was more between then and somehow ending up in hospital.
"You've had a very high temperature the last few days. You've been under the impression you are a Pharaoh and being one of two only people who can understand Egyptian, its been a full time occupation calming you down and translating for you." He says but I don't believe it. Few days as a Pharaoh? I don't remember any of that.
"I … what? A few days? Wait… how did I get here? Why am I here? What's going on?" I ask him quickly. I have a thousand questions, all leading to yet more. This doesn't make any sense.
"Hehe. I'll explain. You've been here for just over a week. You woke up 3 days ago and since then you've been acting like a proper, out of his comfort zone Pharaoh. You're here because during your battle with Bakura you were forced under water. You got sick and have been recovering ever since. Your fever broke last night and it seems we have our Atem back."
… I … oh. My mind is blank. I … was acting a Pharaoh the last few days? Its been a week? Wait… Bakura?
Oh!
Of course! I remember now. I was battling him… through Yugi. He possessed him!
I look at Yugi, still sound asleep and curiously I wonder if he's okay. If he wasn't he would be in his own bed right? He must be okay… but I don't remember how. I remember the water now and how cold it was. I couldn't breathe. Ryou and Tea were there.
"Ryou and Tea? Are they okay?"
"Yes. Theyre fine. Ryou has a broken wrist but apart from that they are both fine. Ryou has been helping me with translating you actually. You seem to treat me better though. You referred to me as Shimon and I believe I am regarded as some form of advisor. Ryou however you treated as your servant, someone who could perform tasks for you and translate but no more. He was still treated better than everyone else."
Everyone else? What did I do?
"Please tell me I wasn't that bad." I say, hoping I didn't hurt anyone or order anything stupid.
"Well you wouldn't let the nurses touch you until I 'blessed' them and no one else was allowed to approach you without bowing or looking away. Not even Yugi was allowed too close. The only reason he's asleep on you now is because you were asleep. You'd smack him away until now."
"I smacked him?!" Oh my gods no. Please tell me I didn't smack him! How could I? He's my dear Yugi? I would never raise my hand at him.
"Not too hard. More a tap on the wrist for being bad. You didn't recognise him but you at least allowed him in your presence even if it was only to the side. Which is more than I can say for everyone else."
"Oh my gods." I say miserably, hiding behind my arm. This is so embarrassing. I cant believe I acted so pompously. I've grown so much since then, why the hell did I treat everyone so poorly.
"In your defence, you were a Pharaoh in some foreign place with people trying to take your blood and touch you. Which anything less than that was already a crime in your time."
"Yes but I still should have held myself with some dignity."
"Oh you felt you were very dignified." He chuckles and I do too. The whole notion is ridiculous but his light hearted nature towards it relaxes me. I'm sure it was amusing in hind sight.
"Would you like me to wake Yugi, my Pharaoh?" He asks me and I smile at the sleeping boy beside me. It might be nice for him to wake up without being smacked.
"First, is he okay? I dont remember what happened after I was pulled under water."
"Yes he's fine. You freed him of Bakura's hold, forfeited the duel to him and the Puzzle kept him safe. When you went under, the Puzzle seemingly took control of him and then he dove under to save you, Ryou and Tea. After that he scared off Bakura. He was glowing… its hard to describe. He doesn't remember it though, so he only knows what we've told him and we've tried to describe it the best we can. But apart from that he is fine. He woke up after 2 days and hasn't left your side since… unless you insisted, usually in the form of throwing a pillow."
"Oh no." I sighed. What on earth, Atem. Really. Throwing a pillow? Is that how royalty is supposed to act? "I honestly don't remember a thing. The last thing I possibly remember is … my father. He… appeared and told me he was proud, he told me it wasn't my time yet. That the world and a … strong young man still needed me."
Yugi. He meant Yugi. Of course. I watch him sleep soundly by me and realise how obvious that is now. It warms my heart to hear no judgement in father's voice, and to hear him regard Yugi for his strength. I wonder if that means he received my message, if he is in fact watching over me. He knows of Yugi, surely that means he must.
"You did come very close to dying. Not only on the wharf but here as well."
I look at Mr. Moto curiously, silently asking for more detail on this. I realise at least I was drowning until Yugi somehow saved us but here?
"You had a temperature in the 40's. It was touch and go for a little while there. They moved you to intensive care and round the clock monitoring. In fact, the doctors do not know this but if I were to venture a guess, I would say you have a lot to thank that Puzzle of yours for." He says seriously yet kindly, gesturing towards the Millennium Puzzle I now notice around my neck. I didn't notice it before because it felt right. The weight of it felt natural, like a second skin but it does occur to me that I shouldn't be wearing this. When I faced Yugi in that duel it was removed from me and Shadi… Oh! Shadi! He…
"The Millennium Key. What happened to it?" I ask urgently and he threw up his hands to calm me down, almost on instinct. I hope that's not a habit I instilled upon him.
"The Key is safe. It's in your drawer over there along with your clothes which I washed and dried." He says. I sigh heavily, instantly relieved from the crisis I steered myself towards. It's still bizarre to me to now own the Millennium Key but if anything had happened to it … Shadi would be very disappointed in his King.
I heard a small moan from Yugi then and I looked to see him scrunching his adorable face under his hair. I can feel him slipping though and I know I should wake him but he's just too cute to disturb. He must have felt the sensation of falling though because in the next second his hand slipped off the bed and he woke with a start, taking in a sharp breath and holding onto the side of the bed for dear life.
I held in my giggles but Mr. Moto was very amused, chuckling at his grandson's sleepy responses. He blinks slowly, notices his grandfather and gives him a quick glare before he gets into a rhythm of rubbing his eyes. Hes so cute! His hairs spiking in so many different ways and his cheeks are red still with sleep. My heart is simply bubbling. I can't wait to see the sparkle in his eyes when he sees I'm awake.
"I'm sorry Yugi. You may want to straighten your hair though when you're in the Pharaoh's presence." Mr. Moto says.
Yugi takes a moment to yawn, look at him all confused and then he turns to me and I watch the seconds tick by as he slowly realises I'm indeed awake and watching him with great amusement.
"Ah..! Pharaoh!" He panics, quickly getting up and almost tripping in the process just to bow. I .. appreciate it but I really don't like him bowing to me. He should never bow to me.
"Its okay, Yugi. I'm not your King now."
He looks up slowly, almost unsure and then it hits him. I spoke his language, not mine and I'm considerably softer than I'm sure the Pharaoh version of me treated him. He straightens up and rushes to my side, happy as a puppy dog now and practically bouncing with joy.
"Your back! Hey! Welcome back! How are you feeling? Are you okay? Can we get you anything? I missed you so much!" He says rather quickly. I am so happy! His warmth, his smile I feared I would never see again, that life in his eyes is contagious. In my mind it's only been a day since I saw his smile, but its a day too long. I missed him too. I do need to hush him though before he makes himself dizzy, so I hold up a hand, which he takes in his and continues bouncing, asking me various questions. Its not until I actually hush him that he settles down.
"I'm fine Yugi. Thank you." I chuckle lightly but he looks at me expectedly, like he's just sitting on the edge of his seat waiting for more. I do not know what to tell him though. I just want to bask in his happiness.
"I should let you two catch up. I'll let the nurses know you're awake and not speaking Egyptian today." Mr. Moto says with a wink and leaves.
So now it's just us, staring at each other with such love in our hearts but for the life of me I can't think of what to say. I have a lot of questions and I'm sure he does too but in this moment, I do not want to spoil this reunion with serious talk. I do wish I could cuddle him though. If it weren't for these wires I probably could.
"I feel like I should say something… but for the life of me I can't think of what." He laughs nervously, petting his hair and seemingly realising how messy it is now as he attempts to brush it out.
"I feel the same. I have so many questions and right now I just want to look at you. Its good to see you as yourself again." I say, sighing softly as I watch him blush.
"You can talk, your majesty." He giggles shyly and now my cheeks are as hot as his I'd say.
"Y-yes. I am so sorry for how I treated you. I don't remember any of it but I'm told I was quite difficult the last few days." I say, blushing.
"Well, I'm just glad I have you back. I missed you. A lot." There's so much behind his words he's not saying and it hurts. I know he doesn't want to hurt my feelings, and its true I already feel awful for my behaviour, but it must have hurt him a lot to be treated so poorly. I wish I had recognised him. Even if I don't remember it at all I could have at least allowed him to be close to me.
I reach for his hand and he takes it eagerly, holding it to his chest as if it were the most precious thing … but to me he is the most precious thing… and after the last few days I think I'll show him that. Somehow. When I get out of here I guess. I need to make it up to him. Not to mention that I almost lost him that day. I want to make the most of our time together more than anything.
"I want to make it up to you. Somehow. When I get out I'm going to treat you to something special. I dont know what yet or how but it'll just be for us." I say and the growing smile on his face sets my plan in stone. I am doing this. No matter what he says.
"You don't have to. I understand. You weren't in your right mind, I mean you had a fever of 41. That's insanely high…"
"I want to do this. Beyond that I almost lost you. So I want to do something just for us." I say sweetly, looking deep into his eyes. I really want him to feel how sincere I am because I mean it. With everything I have I will make him feel just how much he means to me. I know I hurt him recently. He won't say it, but he doesn't need to.
"Well… given that I almost lost you too, I can get behind that. Now that you're awake, feverless and not near dying I kinda just want you all to myself too." He says shyly, a blush on his cheeks but the promise is clear in his voice. I wonder what he's thinking.
"What are you thinking?" I ask softly but before he can answer, Mr. Moto returns with a nurse behind him, carefully stepping in as if I were a tyrannical Pharaoh and she was nought but a peasant woman. I must have been so awful the last few days. Maybe it's time I make a list of who to apologise to.