A/N: Sorry these are taking so long to write. Writing in betweeners always takes forever, but I've also been streaming on Twitch a lot more recently. Anyway, this went somewhere I didn't expect, so lets see where it takes us!
Yugi's POV
This is ridiculous.
It's not like he's on life support or anything. And I wasn't doing anything, we were just sleeping. I don't know what the big deal is. He's my boyfriend and he's well enough to come home now.
Besides they clean the sheets and stuff between patients, who cares if there were two people in the same bed for one night.
I huff in frustration, irritatedly kicking my legs as I sit here on the bench outside like I'm a child in trouble. I'm not even allowed back inside the lobby, not with the security guards waiting outside, keeping an eye on me.
This sucks.
"Hey Yug!" Joey calls to me with Tristan and Tea beside him. They're here early. Good thing too I suppose, since Atem is coming home finally.
"Hey!" I call back to them, happily meeting them part way.
"What chu doing out here?" Tristan asks.
"I … kinda got escorted out." I say, blushing. I know Tea supports us and they're all fine with it but I will not live it down if they knew why… and the memory of last night is still fond despite this morning.
"Overstayed your welcome?" Tea asked me, smirking with an amused cock of her brows.
"You could say that." I say shyly.
"Oh.. he's blushing!" Joey teases me, pinching my cheeks painfully. I try to get away but dang he is persistent. But then he stops a moment, he moves my jaw to the side an the gasp he lets out turns into muffled laughter. He lets me go and I catch the biggest smile on his face coupled with a very deep blush but he's laughing into his hand.
"What?" I ask fearfully. My hand goes to my neck where I think he was looking and I feel the pain of where Atem was kissing me last night. But ... surely... no...
"Nothin but you might want to cover that up before your old man sees it." Joey says, swallowing his amusement to say that.
So I try to, with my colour and my hand... I don't know how big a mark it is though. I kinda wish I did. I didn't see it this morning... then again I wasn't looking in a mirror this morning and Atem was rather handsy even if I was. Not that I am complaining but I didn't expect him to be so frisky yet. He's still in hospital recovering technically.
"So waiting for Gramps to come pick you up?" Tristan asks.
"Actually he's inside signing Atem out. He gets to come home this morning." I say, finally breaking free of Joey's assault.
"Oh, thats great!" Tea exclaims happily. "So the Puzzle really helped him, huh?"
"Seems so. He's still got it. They shouldn't be too much longer." I say. Now that our friends are here and Atem can come home, I'm not so irritated about being thrown out. Soon I can cuddle him and share his bed as much as I want.
"Awesome. We'll wait here with ya then." Joey said happily.
"So got any plans now he can come home?" Tristan asks, a certain amount of cheek in his tone though. I know what he's asking but I'm not willing to rock that boat yet.
"Rest probably. He might not need it as much but I've barely been sleeping this week." I shrug lazily. I happily left out last night: the first night this week I slept so solidly.
"Thats boring. How about you guys hang with us today! He might appreciate moving around a bit." Joey says excitedly.
"We'll see how he feels. He might be feeling better but he's still recovering and shouldn't push himself." Tea said before throwing me a cheeky smirk of her own. "Besides, these two might be relieved to have some closed door privacy for once."
I blush heavily and avoid looking at her. I can't handle that kind of joke coming from her. Not yet. I never expected her to say anything like that yet.
"True." Tristan and Joey both sigh… but truth be told I am relieved though. I mean… I know they should get some time with him too but … at least for now, I kind of want my fill. Maybe even literally…
Down boy.
Atem's POV
Signing out did not take long. All they needed was my signature which I am still unpracticed with, but what took the most time was the doctor talking with Mr. Moto in regards to my home treatment. I need to stay warm, drink plenty of water and keep my vitamins up if I hope to fight this cold. For the moment, my only symptoms are fatigue and sore throat, some coughing spouts here and there … so it is not as bad as Yugi's was… but then he didn't nearly die from his and he wasn't wearing the Puzzle constantly which seems to have some healing powers attached to it I did not know about. I paid little attention when I realised I did not need to. I just cannot wait to find Yugi. I know he was escorted outside for our … bonding … last night, but I hope he isn't too far.
Finally free, we dawdled outside. I'm finally wearing my own clothes now. Well Yugi's winter track pants and a loose shirt that also belongs to him but it's not hospital wear. My other clothes are stuffed inside the suitcase with my royal attire that Tea had brought in for me. I do not remember this but apparently I demanded my things and never got to wear them. I hate to think of how much trouble I must have caused everyone. I cannot believe I was so difficult and rude. What I also can't believe is that during my absence Yugi and Tea made up. There's a lot a missed but at least he touched on that subject yesterday. Im still wary. She was so nasty to him at school and he's kind enough to forgive easily. Actually come to think of it I still don't know what happened exactly at school that made him run that day. I suppose there is still much to catch up on.
"There he is!"
"Man of the hour!"
"How are ya buddy?"
I look up to see Tristan and Joey running over to me, quickly pulling me between them for a strong hug. It felt nice to be held like this but must they be so rough?
"Hey be careful with him guys. Hes not even off hospital grounds yet." Yugi! That's my Yugi. Where is he?
They let me go and I spot him immediately behind them, Tea standing politely beside him with a small smile on her face. I want to hug him because its been a whole two hours since I could but … perhaps I should wait for the moment. I do not want to spur her wrath again.
"Hi Atem." She squeaks nervously as Yugi comes up to me and slides his fingers between mine. In this moment I am taken away, lost to the feel of this sensation and then I am painfully aware of everyone around us. I do my best to steel myself, squeezing his hand back and giving her a gentle smile. It is strange in a way that there is such awkwardness between us; hopefully we can move past this. If they're able to forgive and forget then I must try as well. At least I can try forgiving, but I will not forget.
"Hi Tea." I say pleasantly. Our smiles widen and Joey nudges my arm, completely oblivious to this moment between us.
"So how are ya? What's the plan?"
"Well we have to get him home. So any catching up is happening at our place." Mr. Moto said, walking away for us to follow. I guess that's our decision made for us. I go to take my suitcase but Yugi is quicker than lightning to take it for me, still gripping my hand firmly.
We walk in a group behind Mr. Moto but as we walk Yugi and I fall only slightly behind as the three of them talk. I'd pay attention but in all honesty, what I love most in this moment is the fresh air and freedom. I feel so much more comfortable in the open space and light of the sun. In the gentle kisses the breeze offers and love of the light. I may have been very sick lately but I believe this brief moment of outside is exactly what I needed. I feel so rejuvenated with every step.
"Yugi, think we can stay outside once we get home?" I ask him quietly.
"Hmmm… if you're rugged up maybe. But not far from the house." He says, trying to sound firm but he's easy to give in. I won't push for more than that though. I like him mothering me.
"Fine by me." I say pleasantly.
He giggles and it's the sweetest sound that makes my heart soar. I cannot tell what it is for though. Did I miss something?
"What?" I ask, a soft chuckle on my voice as his happiness and smile is contagious. He leans into me as we walk, resting his shoulder upon my arm briefly.
"I'm just so happy you're coming home, and back to yourself."
My smile falters for the briefest moment but thankfully he and no one else noticed. I still feel terrible for my behaviour. I can't shake this feeling that this unpleasantness I displayed is only a touch of how I was. Afterall, if I believed myself to be Pharaoh then I'd have had no memory of them, no awareness of where I was. I either held myself maturely or … most likely immaturely. I share his sentiment. I am very relieved to be going home with him. It seems almost a dream. Or I have woken from a nightmare.
He stops leaning on me to rub his neck and I catch the hiss. He might have slept on it wrong, the hospital bed isn't exactly built for 2 and I must admit a little discomfort in my own shoulder too.
"Hey... can you look at this for me?" He asks me quietly. Quiet enough he doesn't want to risk the others hearing. All the same I look where he's rubbing and I indeed see what's been affecting him. Upon his skin is a reddish black bruise about the size of 3 of my finger tips. It looks painful to touch and it must be if he won't even touch it. I wonder where he got a bruise like that from? Whatever hit him there must have been hard... but precise. He'd have known for sure.
"There's a bruise there but what caused it?" I ask him and he gives me the blankest and most incredulous look he's ever given me. S-so he does know what caused it? Should I?
"You did. Last night." He says boredly, smacking my arm slightly and readjusting his collar to try and hide the mark.
I remember kissing him around there... ohhhhh. Oh I know now. When I tasted blood... that must have been the mark I was leaving.
"I am so sorry." I say sheepishly. I hope he doesn't hate me for that. It'll be embarrassing if the others see it, or if Mr. Moto sees it. Not to mention I actually hurt him. I never meant to I just... got so lost in him.
"It's okay... I actually always dreamed of you marking me one day. I just didn't realise it was there until Joey pointed it out. We probably shouldn't let Grandpa see it though." He says shyly. Good he's not mad. But wait Joey saw it? Crap, he's not going to let us live that down. And...
"You always dreamed I'd mark you?" I ask coyly, using my fingers to pull him closer to me so I can take a small whiff of his hair. He shudders and pushes me away so we can walk in peace but he's getting flustered already, and I just love seeing the red in his cheeks.
"I don't think I've ever marked you and I've tasted your blood before." He says, pouting. He's right. I've felt a bruise before but only a small irritation and never a mark.
"Perhaps it's my complexion. I've never seen a bruise upon my skin before. Never."
He blinks at me but then its turns to confidence. "I'll just have to try harder then." He snickers.
"Be my guest." I say, matching his tone and chewing my lip. He blushes wildly but we both must reign ourselves in as we reach the carpark.
We get to the car and say our momentary goodbyes to our friends, agreeing to meet back home. I insisted on sitting in the backseat with Yugi this time. I'm aware I could feel car sickness but I do not want to be parted fom Yugi, even if it's not that far. Besides; a nurse gave me something at the hospital that should help settle my stomach. Apparently nausea is expected considering everything they've been giving me. So I got to sit beside him, happily resting my head on his shoulder and breathing in his intoxicatingly calming scent that filled my lungs and set my heart ablaze. We were close last night but I slept through the vast majority of our cuddling. I could sleep now if I'm honest but for the moment, while I am awake I relish in his heartbeat not too far off, his warmth against me, how solid and yet delicate he feels under me. I wish our friends were not coming over. I just want to cuddle with him and keep him safe with me. Gods how I missed him.
Yugis pov
He fell asleep in the car. It's not a particularly long drive home and I'd have thought all the stops would have kept him awake. But even as we stopped to get him two dozen Falafels he didn't wake. I suppose it will be a nice surprise for him when he does.
I don't want to wake him. If it was me driving I'd drop Grandpa off home and just stay here with him, or keep driving so he can sleep. He has so much energy when he wakes and he seems almost completely unaffected by this cold, but he does use his energy quickly. I've never seen him fall asleep so instantly before. I might be getting my hopes up but perhaps I should be a bit more mindful of his condition. As much as he seems 100% he's probably really at 60-70 … or 70-80 and draining fast. Either way, as excited as we are to get back to normal I should be careful with him. Until recently I have never seen him so fragile. It really puts everything into perspective. King, God, Divine being… whatever kind of being he is, he is still human. A human that needs just as much care if not more because of his age, as the rest of us.
When we got home he woke quick enough to a gentle nudge and whisper of his name. He spoke Eygptian briefly but in a flash realised where he was and what was happening. My heart stopped when I heard his words though, not really understanding what they were. I thought for a moment he had gone back to his Pharaoh self but Grandpa assures me it was some sleep talk about not wanting his lessons to which I had to laugh. He glared at me for it but it's funny to think he's not that different to any of us.
The guys aren't here yet of course. Even with our stop they'd be taking the bus so I dont expect them for another half an hour or so yet. Thats good though. Gives me time to get Atem settled inside. God it'll be nice to rest finally. I've deliberately chosen not to come home if I can help it because it doesn't feel right without him. That's not to say I didn't miss being home though. I miss snuggling on the couch or laying in my bed, or enjoying the pressure of my shower or being able to walk anywhere without fear of not actually being allowed there. This is my castle and I'm finally home with my King.
Atem smelled the Falafels almost immediately and that instantly woke him the rest of the way from his sleep. He held my hand, we followed Grandpa inside and he was practically on his heels waiting to be given some. He is just like a puppy dog looking for a treat… but it gives me an idea. An idea I probably should reign in though until he feels better.
"Yugi, take him away please." Grandpa laughs as we get to the kitchen. So I do. He doesn't want to but he follows me all the same.
"Come on." I say playfully as I drag him behind me.
"But Yugi, they're for me right?" He asks with a slight whine. God I forgot how much he became a kid for them. He wasn't lying when he said they were his favourite. It's almost out of character for him.
"Yes and I'll get you some but first …" I trail off to push him down on the couch with a soft plop. He looks up at me and for a moment as I stand above him I see a flash of mischief in those ruby red eyes of his which I need to quell before they catch me in that spell. Like a stab in the gut he reaches for me, intending to pull me down to him by my waist and I … regrettably… push a nearby blanket in his hands instead. With the distraction I make sure it covers his arms, his legs and I slide pillows behind him for good measure. He needs to stay warm… just not with my body unfortunately. Not yet.
"I'll be right back with your treat. Don't go anywhere." I say, offering my most sincerest of smiles and I try to ignore the confused and blank smile he gave me.
I sigh inwardly though. I need to reign my desires in. He's home now and willing but I cannot push him. He's obviously not aware of his limits and I am painfully aware of how fragile he is. One of us needs to stay in control even if it hurts. Last night I let myself give in to him and he was fine… but I shouldn't have. I don't regret what we did, but I should be more careful. He was still in hospital and I couldn't resist. He's home now… which is great… but that's not an excuse to wear him out while he's still recovering. If he slips … I do not want it to be my fault because I couldn't control my urges.
"How is he?" Grandpa asks me while he dishes out his Falafels and separates them into little snack packs for him. No wonder he got so many, so he could pace him.
"He seems good. He wants these though." I chuckle softly, leaning heavily on my elbows as I wait for whatever plate he would give me.
"How are you?" He asks me, strangely serious though. I chance a glance at him but he's not looking at me. He's counting the little golden balls before him but he's waiting for an answer. It's rare to see him so serious though.
"I'm fine. Glad he's home." I say simply. I caught the twitch in the corner of his lips; a rare sight to behold. My grandfather is notorious when it comes to games. I hope to be as good as he is one day. So if he lets slip a tell like that I know something is bothering him.
"What's wrong?" I ask him pointedly, wondering what it is I could have done to bother him.
"Nothing's wrong." He says, perhaps a little too defensively than he meant. I raise my eyebrows at him and he sighs, putting down the tongs and letting himself collect. "I was told why you were escorted out of the hospital this morning."
Shit. Of course he was.
I don't say a thing though. I'll let him have his piece and then apologise… but he's waiting. I don't know what for though.
"I'm sorry?" I offer to him. I have no idea if he's going to continue or if he wanted an apology but the sigh tells me there's more he wants to say.
"I understand young love Yugi and I know boys your age don't have a lot of control over … that… but." He trails off, seemingly stuck … but it's okay.
"Gramps I'm sorry. I know he's getting better and I shouldn't have done anything with him. I promise I'm going to be careful with him. We won't do anything beyond a cuddle here and there. I promise I won't push him. I don't want him back in the hospital either -"
"It's not that Yugi." He says firmly, making me pause with my mouth hanging open and I have to actively concentrate on closing it.
"When you both told me you were involved I didn't put much thought to it. You two have always been close, I figured not much would change. But I've seen you both interact, I've seen how much he thinks of you. You're his world and I've come to see how much he is yours. I walked in on something I didn't want to see and now hearing of last night it's becoming clear to me now just how much you two are apart of one another. I'm asking you, as your grandfather and as your guardian, be careful. Not of him and his condition, though please do be mindful because yes, we don't want him in the hospital again… but be careful in general. I don't want you rushing into anything, I don't want you regretting anything and I most of all do not want you getting hurt. I was joking around when you came out to me, but I am serious now. Be careful Yugi. Take it slowly. Everything can change when you think you are sure and your body shows you that you are not." He says, sliding a plate of Atems treats to me, squeezing my shoulder firmly and closing this conversation by busying himself with the others.
I am lost for words. I don't know what to say or how to feel. He's not mad at me for what we did … and I think he's okay with us being that close… but what does he mean by careful? We're careful aren't we? I mean … he listens to me and I listen to him. It's not like either of us can get pregnant. I'd ask him but I think I'm meant to figure this out on my own.
I take his Falafels with me and he bounces happily upon seeing them but his smile fades upon seeing me. I try my best to hide but it's well and truly too late.
"What's wrong?" He asks and like grandfather like grandson I say:
"Nothing's wrong."
Like myself he raises a disbelieving brow at me and a very unamused twerk of his lips. I hand them to him and sit beside him with a gentle sigh. It seems I'm not doing well to impress anyone today.
"Grandpa just told me that he knows about what we did last night."
"Oh god no." He groans, sinking back into relaxation upon the couch.
"He's not mad. In fact he barely touched the subject." I say and he gives me a curious look. One that's so cute it makes my heart open to him. I am a fool for thinking I can protect him from everything while he recovers. "He just wanted to tell me to be careful. Not of you, though I should, but of us. He wants me to be careful and to take things slowly."
"He's just looking out for you. You're his only heir and the sweetest thing as well. I am not surprised he wants this of you." He says kindly. Somehow hearing him say that makes me feel better. Maybe I'm overthinking Grandpa's meaning. I don't know. I know Gramps wants me to be careful but Atem makes me feel 100% safe and never more sure of myself in my life.
"While we're on the subject." He begins. I'm naturally curious but what takes me by surprise is him putting his plate of his favourite treats on the coffee table so he can lean in close to me. He keeps a respectable distance, something that wouldn't be construed as intimate if Grandpa were to walk in, but it's his hands. The way his fingers curl around mine and the deep, piercing look in his eyes, the gentle smile that can easily turn to mischief with just a single queue from me.
I don't know what he's doing. I don't know what he wants. Normally I am so attuned to everything he is but for once I have no idea what to do other than freeze and wait. In fact the only thing I do know he's feeling is pride. There's a hint of it in his eyes: a certain satisfaction for winning something.
But then he changes. He must have been testing the waters before because now he's pushed himself closer, keeping me still by pinning my hands to the couch so he can lean in against my cheek, nuzzling me slowly almost as if he's marking me. I can smell his scent. He still smells a bit of hospital but he is there: in his hair, on his skin. And the heat I can feel in his cheeks makes my body shiver. I told myself I'd resist him. I told Grandpa I'd be careful. I'd be mindful of him and his condition… but must he make this so difficult?
"I am ready to move at your pace, Yugi." He whispers in my ear such words of pure enticement. In an instant the heat in my cheeks stirs below and I can feel the pulse in my sweatpants push and tingle. My heart is racing and I can feel body yearning to be touched and taken this very second. Never mind he's recovering, never mind I'm sleep deprived, never mind we have friends due to come over soon or Grandpa just a room away… I want him now.
I can literally feel my body struggling to relax. My shoulders, my arms, my spine and my legs are all locked into place as I am desperately trying to push down this heat coursing through me in waves.
He kisses my cheek and I let go of a breath I had no idea I was holding. He leans back and takes his plate, grinning at me triumphantly as the chill of the room begins to sink into my skin. My mind is a buzz of ideas. Of excuses we can use to escape upstairs now, trying so hard to silence the voice inside telling me to 'take it slow' and 'be careful'.
"If you still want to, of course." He says smugly, taking a suggestive bite of his golden, round treat. He makes a point of showing me his tongue and sucking on his bite delicately, as if … maybe that were me… oh boy.
I breathe outward, my breath shaky and hot and I look away at anything that isn't a horny, suggestive Pharaoh beside me. I can't think. I can… but I can only think of things involving him… and his mouth on my body. He's watching me though, politely eating his treat with the cockiest little smirk of pure amusement. He knows exactly what he's doing to me. Jerk.
"I need to go to the bathroom." I say grumpily, standing to leave. I'm not actually grumpy with him… but it is embarrassing to have a very obvious boner knowing I can't do a thing about it yet. I need to take care of this before the guys get here.
Atem's POV
By the time Yugi returned from his … relief… in the bathroom, the guys were well and truly here, regailing me with embarrassing stories of my brief time as Pharaoh. Yugi failed to tell me that I broke machinery and tried to summon the Egyptian Gods to defend myself. Its a miracle they didn't have me transported to some mental health facility. I suppose Mr. Moto pulled a few strings and it helped that he could talk to me. When Ryou visits, if he does, I must apologise to him though. I know how poorly slaves were treated in my time and I must admit, looking at my life in a new light I wasn't the worst to my servants but I wasn't a legend either. So I can only imagine how I treated Ryou.
Yugi sits beside me in a fresh pair of clothes, his hair still damp from the shower he must have taken making his natural spikes to droop a little. He gives me a precious smile, filled with such a bubbly life I know there must be only one reason for. Unbeknownst to everyone else this happy little perv just pleasured himself in the shower, with all that water running down his bare skin in rivers. His hands touching himself, exploring those sensitive areas reserved for me …
Stop. Now.
I'm going to get too worked up in their company and they have already embarrassed me with enough stories, they do not need more material to use against me.
"We were just informing the Pharaoh here of his behaviour the last few days." Tristan said smugly, making sure I caught the ear to ear grin he wore.
"Oh did you tell him about how he wouldn't eat the hospital food without Ryou and Grandpa testing it for him first?" Yugi asked, VERY much to my embarrassment. Why do the stories never cease?!
"OKAY, can we move on please? I was Pharaoh 5000 years ago, I don't want to hear any more stories of me being Pharaoh a few days ago." I groan irritatedly. They laugh at me but with a soft touch from Yugi on my knee and a jab of Tea's elbow to Joey's side they settle down. I know they're having fun… and they will never stop having fun. I'm never going to live any of this down for the rest of my life. I might as well get used to it.
"Okay." Yugi giggles softly, leaning his head briefly on my shoulder. An affectionate little nuzzle to boost my mood.
Silence falls between us all, none of us knowing what exactly to say. I feel a tempest behind each of us waiting to burst out but neither of us are sure who should start and where. Yugi's told me a bit of whats happened while we've been in the hospital but we've kept our conversations somewhat light while we've been recovering. I haven't had a chance to see our friends since Bakura's attack and that was a week ago. Or rather, I haven't: Pharaoh me has but I do not remember anything while I was in that state. Perhaps I should start?
I take a breath to break the ice, just as Tea and Yugi were about to too. We stop and laugh each allow the other to start, only to laugh some more awkwardly.
"You guys are dorks." Joey laughs with us at the ridiculous show before them.
"So, Atem buddy what do you remember?" Tristan asks. I guess we'll start there. Fine by me.
"I remember dueling Yugi. Clearly now. When I woke up yesterday I could only remember bits and pieces but it's come to me now. I remember the whole duel. Even being underwater. Which, reminds me: thank you Tea. I must thank Ryou too but thank you for trying to free me." I say to her. She blushes, holding and playing with her hands nervously. I do hope her feelings towards me do not interfere. I understand this must be hard for her, knowing I am firmly out of her reach… but she is here, and she isn't throwing Yugi any nasty glares so… I trust Yugi's decision to forgive her. Beyond that I do want us to be friends again… I just hope she can live with that.
"We weren't going to do anything else. I'm just glad in a way that DiaBound threw us under with you. We might not have been able to help at all otherwise. Not that we could free you." She says bashfully. But her words brings up a point I had no considered.
"I do not remember surfacing though. I'm told Yugi saved us but I don't know how. You and your grandfather have kept those details somewhat vague." I said, turning to Yugi for answers. He shrugs though which confuses me.
"I don't know them in detail myself. I don't remember saving you at all. I'm told I was all gold and stuff and I somehow used the Puzzle to do it but I don't remember any of it." He says, his lips forming a perfect line as he looks to Joey and Tristan for assistance.
"Yeah. So. You went under, then DiaBound threw Tea and Ryou under as well. Then Yugi's Puzzle was glowing really bright like and he dove under the water." Joey began.
"Then there was this huge golden light under the water, like a bubble but massive, and then all of a sudden: WOOOSH! The water splashed, raining down on all of us because a giant, and I mean GIANT pyramid of light burst through the surface." Tristan continued for him, animating just how massive it was.
"Yeah! Inside the Pyramid Yugi was in the center holding it out and you guys were on the floor of it. The Pyramid dispersed then, dropping you all on the wharf. Yugi floated down all calm like but he was on fire. Like almost literally fire. His hair was kinda gold and flapping around, there was this bright golden aura burning around him-" Joey was explaining when Tea interrupts him.
"His eyes were gold too. Like there was no purple, only gold."
"Yeah and the Puzzle was glowing so brightly it was like it was just forged." Joey continued.
"You weren't breathing." Tristan said solemnly, instantly bringing down the excitement that was whatever Yugi's power was. I felt the room grow cold and Yugi shift beside me. I look at him but he's looking away from me, to where I can't see his face. I feel his sadness though. He told me I almost died, that I almost drowned but we never went more into it.
"You were drowning man. You weren't moving, you weren't breathing. Tristan and I performed CPR on you until you finally started coughing but that was the last time we saw you awake until you woke up as a Pharaoh." Joey said calmly. They were quiet, letting this sink in. Cute choice of words Atem. It must have been terrifying for them. I didn't know they saved my life.
"And… Bakura?" I ask. It's not a pleasant topic change, but a topic change all the same. One that needs to be breached.
"He high tailed it out of there when Yugi threw DiaBound away into the ocean." Joey said brightly. I look directly at Yugi and he now looks back around. I see the red on his nose from the tears he was holding back but this change of topic is helping to distract him. I'll need to ask him later about it but for now… he what?
"You threw DiaBound?" I ask him and he shrugs.
"Apparently?"
I look them all and each of them are nodding in unison. It's extremely difficult to imagine my little Yugi throwing DiaBound. It just can't be. How?
"DiaBound was coming at us. Bakura ordered him to take the puzzle and somehow Yugi was able to stop him in his tracks and send him flying, without even blinking." Tea said.
"It was pretty insane." Tristan agrees.
"I think they're embellishing." Yugi says nonchalantly.
"No really. You actually threw him. Like into the ocean, leagues away. Bakura realised he couldn't do shit to you while you were like that so he recalled DiaBound and disappeared. It's been quiet ever since." Tristan says.
"Yeah. Even Ryou's been sleeping more soundly."
"I saw him yesterday. He looks like he's doing really well." Yugi says happily.
"He's been staying at my place. I think he feels safer with someone else with him." Tristan says pleasantly. I am glad to know he has company. I imagine he would not do so well otherwise.
"How did you and Ryou get to the wharf? We left you guys at the school and he was still unconscious." I ask Tea.
"Oh he woke up. He remembered what Bakura's plan was and we headed straight to the wharf. We found Bakura in the boathouse behind the duel and when Ryou thought to attack Bakura to get the rod off him thats how he broke his wrist. Unfortunately we weren't able to keep the rod off him and when the Shadow Game ended… well you saw DiaBound holding us." She says, grimacing and shrugging her shoulders shyly.
"That was very brave to attack him head on like that. Especially for Ryou. I know how terrified of him he was. And he is sleeping well considering? I am impressed."
"Yeah. The guys gotten a lot stronger since that day. It's like he faced his demon head on and despite coming out injured he came out stronger for it." Tristan says wisely.
"I think we all did. In a way." Yugi says beside me, quietly but as if pondering.
"You too Yug. I mean you're over your fear now right? And whatever you did with the Puzzle has us covered from any future attacks. Then there's the Key we still don't know how you got." Joey says to me and they're all looking at me for answers.
"Ah right. Yes. Shortly before confronting Bakura Shadi appeared before me. He stopped time around me so we could talk. He came because he sensed his time was at it's end and the fate of the world hung in the balance that day. He told me I would lose my Puzzle one way or another and that no matter what happened I must do all it takes to save and rescue Yugi." I say.
"Me?" He asks me curiously.
"Yes. He told me that no matter what happens you must live. Even if Bakura were to get his hands on the puzzle, I must save you. He gave me the Millennium Key to ensure your safety. But this also means that now he is no longer an owner of an Item he could pass on. Shadi is no longer with us, but his will and wishes are. Everything he said would happen, happened that day. I used the Key to get into your mind and to try and bring you back to me and I did lose my ownership of the Puzzle. I did not know at the time however that his premonition could mean I would forfeit it to you. I am glad it did though." I say fondly, gently touching the gold pyramid by my neck and feeling it's familiar warmth. It is clear to me now why it feels different. I am merely borrowing the Puzzle while it heals me but it's loyalty has completely shifted to Yugi. I can no longer access it's power like I could before but what it is doing now is actively lending me it's strength until I no longer need it. I doubt I'll even be able to wear it once I am strong enough without it.
"Us too. It saved all of our lives. Not only that day but in the hospital too. First Yugi wouldn't wake, then Yugi gave it to you and you woke up." Tristan says, Joey and Tea nodding beside him.
"You would not wake?" I ask Yugi and he smiles bashfully.
"I needed a couple of days to rest up too. Apparently all the emotional stress had me sleeping for a while." He says coyly.
"Talking of emotional stress." Tea says, leading us into something. "Yugi. What happened at the school? You said you didn't want to get into it until Atem was back."
"Yeah he's back now." Joey said.
He looks at each of us, maybe asking for help but he won't find it. I wish to know what happened at school too to make him run off like that. Apparently he broke this Koji kids' hand?
"Ah… I was… uhh…" He struggles to say, looking down to his hands and chewing his lips. He knows he can tell us anything but this… I feel something deeper he really wants to hide. He's not going to tell us everything. Whatever he comes up with will either be a lie or half truths.
"Yugi. You can tell us anything." I say to him gently. Now it's my turn to touch his knee but to my surprise he stands up and walks away. Not far but just out of reach. His arms folded across his chest and his head down. This is serious. What did this Koji person do to him? He's been bullied before and he's never been ashamed to talk about it with us… he's been hurt by Bakura more than anyone else and has admitted to how badly he was doing because of that, so why does this have him recoiling from me?
"I got into a fight with Koji. He went to grab my neck and I blacked out. When I came to they were running away from me and I had apparently broken his hand. I was scared of getting in trouble, I felt alone and vulnerable and I didn't want to bring that trouble home so I ran. He's the school's martial arts champion that goes to like the Olympics and stuff… if I broke his hand then I am screwed. So … I took off. I was running god knows where when I was stopped by Bakura and I don't remember anything after that. Except bits and pieces of the duel." He says. He was quick to get to the end there. Quick to express his concern over Koji's career and the consequences. I know Yugi inside and out. I know all of his tells, all of his escapes, all of his habits and methods. There's more to the fight than Koji reaching for his neck. I believe him when he says he blacked out. After all this is not the first time this has happened… but there was more to it. More he doesn't wish to delve into. More he's afraid of.
So it seems whatever healing he has been doing in regards to his neck there is still more that troubles him. It just may not be Bakura related for once. I will ask him in private.
"Why didn't you go home?" Joey asked.
"Or searched for us?" Tristan pointed out.
"I didn't want to bring the drama to you. Koji's family is powerful and he is like a prodigy. If I ruined his career then there's no telling what his family will do to get to me. They might not physically hurt me… then again with the talk of who some of them are involved with they might, but they can certainly make our lives hell. I didn't want to bring that home to Grandpa and I certainly didn't want to put anyone else in danger… so I ran. I panicked. I didn't know what else to do but run." He says.
I get up and go to him. He's wary at first, even as my hands gently curl around his arms and I slowly pull him into an embracing cuddle. He wraps his arms around my waist and I keep his head buried in my chest, holding him with as much comfort as I can offer. I wish he had come home. If he had maybe all of this could have been avoided. Perhaps. Beyond that I wish he felt he could rely on us.
"You once welcomed me into your home as family." I say to him quietly, keeping my voice low and gentle. The others may hear but I wish to portray kindness and openness between us. I want to reach his heart now, not his head.
I feel him nod and squeeze me slightly. He knows exactly where I am going to go with this and this is his way of strengthening the walls he's putting up. I do not want this, so I distract him by reaching behind me to take his hands and ending our cuddle. I want him vulnerable right now, so that we can get inside.
"I am still learning your culture, but in mine family means we rely on one another, no matter what. I was once a ruler of an entire country. I had my blood family, those close to me. But I also had the entirety of my people… MY people who were also my family. I dealt countless troubles, most of which worse than your average drama. I understand that times may have changed since then, but I like to take comfort in knowing that no matter what happens, to all of us…" I say, looking back to include our friends in this and they gladly step forward. Yugi looks at each of them, almost afraid but this is good. This means his walls are down and we are reaching him. "We are hear for each other." I finish.
I watch his lips tremble, watch as he holds his breath to stop himself from crying and I relent. I pull him in for a warm cuddle where he can cry in the protection of my clothes, hide his face from us as he lets himself feel.
"I have brought so much danger to each of you. Ryou has a broken wrist. You and he have endured torments for weeks. Bakura has broken into this house twice, having skipped the opportunity to do us more harm than he has. And he is still on the loose. I have done this and still you stand by me. Whatever has happened between you and Koji, you can trust us to bare it with you." I say gently.
I hear him mumble something but I cannot make out what he said. I can't even begin to imagine what it could be, so I lower my head closer to his and ask him to repeat himself.
"It's -barassing."
I smile and rest my chin on his head. "More embarrassing than some of the stuff I've done the last few days?" I ask him and he laughs.
"Can't be more embarrassing than Atem running out of his room nude for all of us to see." Tea says. I smile but as her words hit my ears, and sink into my skin, and delve further into my core I feel my blood run ice cold. My heart stops, threatening beat but fearful because if it does time will continue. But as the boys are laughing and Yugi is trembling in my arms with both laughter and tears I feel myself wishing Osiris was here.
"What?" I ask, but it's more of a choked squeak. Something appalling and dismal but not more than her very reassuring nod that what she said was true.
"We weren't there but apparently Pharaohs didn't care for exhibitionism." Joey laughs smugly.
I feel sick. I feel cold and sick.
"Who saw?" I squeaked.
"Me and Tea." Yugi says, pulling away from me enough to wipe his face and breathe.
No. No no no. Noooooo.
Now I feel like crying. Tea saw me nude?! The hospital saw me nude?! WHY?!
"I am so sorry." I say to her, letting go of Yugi so I can bow at her but also so I can cover up my already fully clothed privates. I feel so exposed now and this was supposed to be for Yugi!
"It's okay… really." She says shyly. I see her blushing heavily and looking away… completely understandable. I can't believe she saw. Noooo. How are we supposed to move on from this knowing that she's seen what belongs to me and Yugi… she already had feelings for me, now she's seen me baring it all too?! Damn it all!
"Back to Yugi though." Tristan says.
"Oh please." Yugi whines quietly. I hate this, but I am grateful for shifting the focus back to Yugi. I can self berate later.
"Atem's right dude. No matter what happened, or how embarrassing it is, we're here for ya. No matter what." He continues, smacking Yugi's shoulder in brotherly love.
"Hey." Joey says cheerfully, swiping his thumb plaufully across Yugi's chin and bending low to match his eye level. "Closer than brothers, right?"
Yugi smiles and after a tearful moment he nods, wiping his tears away. "No matter what." He says.
Thats the second time he and Joey have made that kind of connection. The first was a couple weeks ago I forgot to ask him about. What am I missing here? Some inside joke of theirs?
"Okay… but this can't leave this room. At all. Koji and his family will have all of us killed and I still haven't told Grandpa."
"Lips are sealed." We each said.
"Though you might want to sew theirs shut." Tea said, cocking her head over to Joey and Tristan.
"I've got the Puzzle now, if any one of you utters a word I have insurance." Yugi giggles though… if what they say is true then I don't look forward to seeing that side of him.
He sighs, breathing deeply and hiding his mouth in his hands as he thinks. We wait patiently until finally he rubs his whole face and shakes himself loose.
"Koji and his friends heard that I was swinging for the other team. That I like guys. Apparently it's not known around the school that I still like girls too. Sooooo… he and his friends thought that they'd release some of their energy and -"
"They beat you up for it?" Joey interrupts him… much to our irritation.
"No."
"They teased you?" Tristan asks.
"No."
"They're black mailing you?" Back to Joey.
"Will you two shut up?!" Tea snaps at them.
"Thank you." I say to her and she smiles and nods at Yugi.
He looks at the boys and waits impatiently before he sighs deeply. "They tried to do things with me. S-sexual things. They didn't get very far but they're were a lot stronger than me, a lot bigger than me and there was 4 of them… I was scared, I didn't know what to do. I was backed into a corner and when Koji touched my neck I… I don't know. I snapped maybe? I don't remember. I just remember coming to and he was on the floor, his hand was broken and his friends picked him up and ran for it. I don't know what happened. So… not only am I in trouble for breaking his hand but if it comes out that I was sexually assaulted by him too… Thats why I ran."
"He didn't touch you though. Did he?" I ask calmly. I am seething. I am livid. I am fuming underneath but he cannot know.
"No. He pushed me against the wall and grazed my neck but thats as far as he got. That I know of." He says. That last sentence. That's what made me need to excuse myself. I am beyond furious. I have a very acute, intense desire to scream and throw and break something but I must contain this anger. So I leave the room. I go downstairs and I numbly use all of my energy to contain myself as I lean against the stores bench.
I hear shouting upstairs belonging to Joey and Tristan, but they're not angry with Yugi. They're angry for the same reasons I am. I am envious of them right now. I wish to go back up there and shout with them. How dare he touch my Yugi like that? How dare he even think of using him like that? That behaviour is despicable and beyond that Yugi is mine. No one else may ever touch him like that except me. No one is permitted to even consider Yugi as something they can touch or use in such a way. They frightened him, they hurt him, they thought to use him as theirs. Now I wish to frighten and hurt them until they beg for an apology. How dare they?!
Absently I look at the time and I see it is mid morning. Tuesday, mid morning. Without even thinking, I walk quietly over to my shoes, slip them on and my brain races to catch up to my body. I desire to go to the school. I remember vaguely what Koji looks like and I have ways of finding his friends. If Koji is not at school due to his hand then his friends will be. Beyond knowing that I have no plan. Only anger. I wish to find them… I wish to make them hurt… but what am I going to do? I almost don't care. Koji tried to take whats mine. What's only mine. What Yugi has yet to give to me but has expressed is solely mine. He tried to hurt him. He frightened him, to the point that he felt he could not come home. I could have lost him to Bakura, and it is all Koji's fault. Whatever I do when I find him will be just what he deserves.
But when I open the door I am frozen in place. My anger put on pause for in it's place is surprise. Blank, numb surprise because standing before me, is none other than the tall, brunette figure of Seto Kaiba frozen in just as much shock as I am wearing.