A/N: So! What did you guys think of the train thing?! I was expecting a bit more shock or something buuuuuuuuuut I am excited to announce I know exactly how this is going to end. We have a goooooood handful of chapters left in us yet but this homestretch is going to be EPIC!
ANYWHOO, I have another chapter lined up after this one and the plan written out for the end so I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Yugi's POV

Bright light. It's so blinding. What is that sound? It's so loud. I can barely think. I feel so paralyzed. My body is heavy, like it's filled with concrete. I can't move. My heart feels like it's beating outside of my chest, like my body's been separated from it. I feel like my body has become nothing. Like a million tiny little stars.

"Yugi!"

Atem… that his voice! In the light, above the blaring horn, surrounding me and rapidly pulling me back together… it's him! Atem!

"ATEM!" I scream out to him, reaching desperately towards the light only to be met with a sudden chill and ominous, uncomfortable silence.

My surroundings are vastly different to before, resembling what looks like an… extravagant bedroom. It's dark but the moonlight falling into the room is giving everything a serene blue glow. This room is larger than my house and it smells so fragrant too: like lavender and ...some kind of other scent. These silk sheets are warm too and very comfortable but …

"Where am I?" I ask myself, staring down at my hands and the Puzzle resting in my lap…

Wait the Puzzle?! How in the …

"Finally awake?" That voice?

Kaiba?

I almost missed him before, standing by the window and looking back over his shoulder at me. Why is Kaiba here? Where's everyone else? Why do I have the Puzzle and where am I?

"K-Kaiba…"

He regards me for a moment, staring at me but I have no idea what he's thinking. I am so lost right now.

"I'll send for someone to tend to you." He says, turning to leave … but wait… that's it?

Was he just … watching over me?

"Kaiba wait." I call out desperately and to my surprise he stops by the door. He doesn't look back but he is waiting.

"I have questions … Where am I? What happened? How did I get here? Where is -?"

"If by everyone you mean your friends, they are downstairs. You're in my room, in my bed, which is why I'm keen to get you some attendance so I can have my room back. As for what happened, that can wait."

You're room… I don't understand any of this.

"But -" I start, not knowing exactly what words I want to use but his quiet voice, barely audible silences me.

"I'm glad you're okay, Yugi."

…

Did he just … is he being kind? Was he worried?

Before I can ask the door bursts open, letting a bright burst of light into the room, stunning both of us but as I peer through my fingers I see the familiar silhouette of the one person I really want to see. His hair, his physique, his very presence… he's here.

Atem…

He's here.

"Yugi!"

His voice rings loudly throughout the room as he launches into the room, racing past Kaiba to jump onto the bed, hands outstretched to grab me and hold me in his arms. I laugh hysterically as we crash back into the soft pillows, snuggling and holding and touching every inch of each other as if we never would have gotten another chance… and I don't know why but I feel like that might have really been the case. I don't know how I know this but I almost lost him, almost lost everything.

But he's here now, really here!

Wait… is he… crying?

I try to pull away just a little but he holds me even closer and his laughter is definitely sobbing. Oh no… why is he crying? What's wrong?

"Atem, what's wrong?" I ask gently, petting his hair as best as I can in his tight embrace.

He pulls back from me but instead of answering me he takes my head in his hands and plants his lips firmly on mine, capturing me in … god… one of the most… searing kisses I've ever felt… wow.

His cheeks are wet with tears, he's barely remembering to breathe, his lips devour mine, his hands are fiercely holding me to him as if his desperation has completely taken over.

My mind is going blank. The weight of my body is leaving me. I'm simply melting under this heat. I feel like jelly. Oh my god. This is incredible. God I missed this.

"YUGI!"

What? Huh?

He releases me against my desire to but the blushing, bashful, half lidded face he's giving me, with the slightest chew of his lips tells me he didn't want to let me go either. I feel so feverish right now… even as our friends pour into the room I almost don't care.

"Yugi, how are you goin pal?" Joey asks happily.

"Hey, sorry for interrupting what looked like a tender moment." Ryou winks at me. I'd blush but I don't think I can be redder than I am right now. It's now I notice Kaiba is gone though … weird.

"How are you feeling, Yugi? Can we get you anything?" Tea asks me eagerly.

"Yeah anything at all man, you just say the word." Tristan is beaming. They're all so excited to see me but … together with Atem's relief… I don't understand. What happened?

I remember Atem running off and chasing after him. I remember getting kidnapped and giving those guys a tough time. Then there was … that dank station. Then… it gets kind of foggy after that.

"Yugi?" Tea asks, her cheerful voice growing concerned the longer I'm quiet. I guess I should say something. I look at Atem but he seems off in his own world, gazing upon me like he's in some kind of dream. It's almost endearing.

"Sorry I'm just… trying to catch up." I laugh awkwardly. His smile. That damn smile. I'm going to have to ask him to leave if he keeps being so distracting.

"Right. Yeah you have been asleep for like 6 hours." Joey laughs… but … 6 hours?

"6 hours?"

"Yeah. Least you have a nice bed to sleep in. This is comfortable." Ryou says cheerfully, laying fully across it and my feet too. I feel like I should be more concerned than I am but everyone seems happy.

"Kaiba said this was his bed?" I ask quietly. I still dont understand why we're here at his mansion and why of all places I'm in his bed.

"Yeah, he was kind enough to give it to you while you rested. Surprised us too." Tea says, matching my confusion.

"So… does someone wanna explain what happened? I remember everything up to the train station but beyond some kind of bright light and loud horn everything else is … well hazy."

They look at each other a moment, i guess determining how to break whatever terrible news they have. Except Atem. Instead he crawls in behind me, pulling me to him to rest against him with his arms wrapped around my stomach, his legs sliding in either side of me. When he's comfortable he nuzzles against me, simply holding me to him and refusing anything else but this. Its not rare for him to be this affectionate and needy but even we tone it down when friends are near. Its like he doesn't even care anymore if they're watching. I'm not complaining but it doesn't help lower my alarm.

"Its quite a story. Where do we start?" Tea asks everyone.

…

We almost … got hit by a train?!

"You okay dude?" Tristans voice is distant … or maybe it's because I'm stuck in my own head trying to get over the fact that we almost got hit by a damn train. Like it wasn't a narrow miss so much as Atem watched it pass over us. That rushing wind I feel faintly over my skin, the blaring noises, the bright light both a mixture of the light if the train and the shield of the Puzzle… all of that was real!

We almost died!

I feel my shoulder be pushed and its enough of a nudge to realise I had zoned out. I glance back at Atem, looking at those beautiful wide crimson eyes of his and seeing him… alive. He's okay. He doesn't look hurt but he does look concerned. I understand his neediness now. We almost died.

But we didn't. We're alive. He's alive. I'm alive.

"Puzzle protected us." I whisper the words, letting my gaze fall to the abyss of my mind again. I can almost see the gold energy around us and feel its warmth. I can almost remember what it was like to harness that power but I cannot grasp it because we almost got hit by a damned train!

"You protected us."

Atems voice lures me back out to him like a sirens song. His concern is washed over by some kind of sparkle in his eye, like beaming … pride.

"Huh?"

"You protected us Yugi. The only reason we are still here is because you saved us." He says warmly, in some kind of tone I'm not familiar with. He's been proud of me before but this is on a new level. But of course it is. We both almost died. It's not that we didn't experience the train passing. It's not that we were teleported away just in time. We lived through it. It passed over us. Literally over us. He must have been terrified. I at least don't remember it clearly but Atem… he would.

"You know what I think?" Ryou asks us, in such a chipper, small voice but one that's kind and wholesome. We look at him and watch as they all regard us. I feel small under their gazes but maybe it's just cause we're in the limelight. I don't really like being looked at like this. Much anyway.

"I think you saved each other. Yugi wouldn't have survived if you hadn't chased after him Atem and nor would he have been able to protect you both if you didn't have the puzzle. When you think about it, you provided each other with exactly what you both needed to survive."

"Ryou's right. It's always been like that though, huh?" Tea says, her voice almost breezing. The smile she's wearing is a rare one too. Not bubbly or generally happy but deep and heartfelt, almost too romantic. "You two have always been exactly what the other has needed on a level that's almost uncanny. If one of you is upset, or even in danger the other knows almost instantly and you both always know what the other needs to be okay again. You two really are like 2 sides of the same coin." She says proudly, almost enviously. That's it though. She's proud of us, but also envious. I don't blame her. I wouldn't trade my love for him for anything in the world.

"Ehh you guys are too sappy. Yugi did somethin stupid and Atem did something even more stupid to save him. They're both here, alive and fine. And now we know where Bakura and Marik is, so lets either celebrate or come up with a plan to get our friend back!" Joey says all pumped up and raring to go but there are several things there that catches me.

For starters yes, what I did was stupid. I knew Atem must have been there in that station with the Key and the Puzzle but I didn't know he was with Ryou, Ishizu and Odion. If I had known I had so much backup I wouldn't have tried to get to fluster them by jumping onto the tracks in the first place. But that aside, they know where Bakura and Marik is?! Why are we still here then? Where's Ishizu and Odion? It's been 6 hours since I was brought here, what on earth is going on?

"You know where Bakura and Marik is?" I ask them all and for a moment they all look surprised … before they realise they haven't explained this to me yet.

"After we left you with Ryou to come here I, Ishizu and Odion used the Key to locate the other items. We remained in the shadows of the Key and arrived at some mansion a few hours north. I'm not sure the name of the city but Ishizu was able to track our location with her phone." Atem begins to explain. I'm loath to get out of his grasp but I'd like to see him for this. Luckily he understands I'm just turning to pay attention to him and he continues when I'm comfy again.

"We scouted the mansion, avoiding confrontation as best as we could. It was dangerous being so close to the ring considering if we slipped out of the Key's protection his Ring would have sensed our presence. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if he did considering he has 5 other Items lending him their strength to begin with. Regardless we weren't found, but we did find a way inside and we did find Marik."

"Is he okay? Did you get him out of there? Is he hurt?" I ask quickly but there's something about his regretful expression I don't like. They didn't retrieve him… they left him there. But why? Why was it too dangerous?

Cold. My skin is cold. Something heavy sits in my stomach and I feel all my blood draining rapidly. "He's not…" I can't say it. He can't be d…

"He's alive…" Atem… thank you for understanding me.

"Good… but then … where is he?"

"He's still at the mansion. When we found him we took him under the Key's protection, guided him into a room no one was in and I invaded his mind but… there was nothing there."

"What do you mean there was nothing there?" I ask him. This is very confusing.

"Bakura had separated his soul from his body and is using his body as a sort of servant. I don't know where he's keeping Marik's soul but taking his body would not have helped him and only served to alert Bakura. We let him return to the duties he was ordered to perform and looked around a little longer before returning to safety. The Puzzle was here with you so it was easy enough to travel back."

I see. So Bakura kidnapped Marik, took his soul and is now using Marik as some kind of slave. But why? There are other people he could use as his slaves, why go to the effort of kidnapping Marik over in Egypt and bringing him back here to Japan to use as a servant? That seems quite… bothersome to me.

"We've been waiting for you to wake up before we plan our next action." Tea says.

"Gramps, Ishizu and Odion are downstairs getting some rest, given how late it is now we probably shouldn't make a move tonight." Tristan says … wait …

"Why is Gramps here? Why are we here? Whats wrong with the house?" I ask, turning to Atem but he shakes his head, sighing.

"Atem suspected that after your confrontation with the Yakuza tonight they'd search the place for the Puzzle. So he got Tea and Grandpa to leave. They went to Tea's house but after we brought you here they came here too. It was after that that Kaiba confirmed the Yakuza did infact pay a visit to the Game Shop." Ryou says, shyly… why is he shy?

"What happened?"

I feel afraid. I don't like how nervous they are all of a sudden. I'm glad Tea and Gramps are okay but what about the house? What did they do?

"They … kinda tore it up. We haven't been over to check but the police, Kaiba's men, even investigators are all over it. As of tonight, you, Gramps and Atem are in protective custody here. No one but us know where you are and for the time being it needs to stay that way. Hell, technically we're not even allowed to know you're here dude." Joey says and there … that explains this pit in my stomach. This explains that dread I feel. They struck. I mean I know they did, they kidnapped me regardless of Kaiba's deal with them… but they attacked our house. Tore it up? To find the Puzzle that wasn't there. What if Tea and Gramps had been there? I don't even want to think about what might have happened. Our home… what's left? We struggled to get by when we had one burglar… if they tore our house up… how are we supposed to get by repairing all of that? What have we lost, how bad is it? When can we go back? Are we guests of Kaiba's now until we get back on our feet? Not that living in luxury is a bad thing but I don't want to be indebted to him for something this big. Then there's Gramps. His whole life is in that home. The shop, our heirlooms, our memories … then there's Atem… everything he has, everything he actually owns including his royal attire is in that house. That cannot be replaced and would be worth a fortune if anyone got their hands on it and then there's the sentimental value of it… they're his.

"Yugi." Atem says softly beside me, squeezing me back to him comfortingly but I just can't relax to it. Not while I don't know what exactly they did to my home. "We're going to be okay. No matter what storm is ahead of us, we're all alive, we're all here and we'll all help each other."

I know he's right… and it is comforting to know that. I feel warmer already knowing that but …

"I don't want to be indebted to Kaiba forever. We need to get our home back." I say, leaning into him for whatever more support I can get from him.

"We will. I promise you. I will see you and everyone else safe."

Everyone else.

"What about you guys? Are your families okay? If they Yakuza ransacked our home and couldn't find us or the Items I don't doubt they'll search your houses too for us." I ask them but they each look as if they expected me to ask that. Please tell me they prepared for that too.

"All good man. Their folks are staying with family for the next couple days and the police will be doing regular drive by's to make sure the houses are fine." Joey says happily.

"Yeah. Don't worry. We'll be okay." Tea says, smiling brightly. Its not a lot to go on but somehow their optimism is encouraging.

Okay… we're safe. Their families are safe. We know where Marik is, and Atem seems have a good handle of the Key now. Despite his doubt earlier he seems to have overcome it. We're okay.

"You alright? You seem to be spacing out a bit Yugi?" Ryou asks me, startling me when the back of his hand presses against my forehead. His fingers are freezing though and quickly I retreat only to almost knock Atem against the bedrest.

"Ooh sorry. Did I startle you?" Ryou laughs innocently.

"No its just your hands are cold. Sorry Temmy." I say blushing.

"Yugi please." Atem blushes even more than me… but why?

"Ooohhhhh Temmy!" Joey coos loudly. Oh shit, I didn't mean to use his pet name.

"Is that what he calls you in bed?" Tristan asks suggestively, both he and Joey showing very annoying, smug looks and winks.

"Oh Temmy, yes just like that." Joey mockingly moans, much to Tristan's laughter.

I feel Atem hide behind me, squeezing me and burying his face into my back with a drawn out groan. I am so sorry.

"Okay guys, knock it off." Tea says sternly before smacking them both over the head.

"Haha, well, maybe we should decide what we're doing now we're up to speed." Ryou says. Thank goodness for them. Anything to change the topic. I'll apologise later.

"Good idea. Its getting late and I think Kaiba will want his bed back. It might be ridiculous of me to ask but what is the plan? We can't leave here and you guys probably shouldn't go home tonight." I say but they wave me off casually.

"Mokuba's convinced moneybags to let us stay here the night. Though can you believe a guy this rich doesn't have spare rooms?" Joey asks incredulously.

"Yeah you'd think a place this nig would have more than 2 bedrooms." Tristan complains with him. I see their point and I'm surprised too. Not that I know more of Kaiba's place beyond this room but to only have 2 rooms?

"Well I guess he doesn't really entertain much." I suggest.

"Well anyway. The others are sounding asleep in some kind of study downstairs and Mokuba's set up the entertainment room for us to sleep. I dont know what Kaiba was going to do for you if you didn't wake up." Tea says.

"Lets go find him. I at least want to thank him for letting us rest here." I say. Truth be told I don't want to leave this position. I'm comfy leaning against Atem like this in the warmth. But I also don't want to just lie here either. For starters if I had it my way I'd be jumping his bones now… but I can't exactly ask them to leave so I can fuck him in Kaiba's bed and I can't exactly just… fuck him in Kaiba's bed. So… I guess my only other option is to control my inner deviant and go thank our host for his hospitality and his aid.

"You good to get up?" Atem asks me sweetly… but my mind is anything but sweet. I give him a look, one he tries to read for a moment too long before the smirk tugging at the corners of his lips reveals to me the ideas we now share. I shouldn't encourage this though. Not yet.

"Yeah. I'll be fine." I say, grinning and chewing my lip to try and hide the cheeky smirk.

I'll admit it feels good to stand. Actually I feel fantastic. I remember my wrist hurt earlier but it feels fine now and I feel so much more refreshed than I have in… god a while. I thought I was in top shape today but turns out 6 hours in a rich guys bed is just what I needed. I wonder how much it cost to get a mattress that good? And that size too… its big enough to comfortably fit 4 of us… if Atem and I had one that big … god the things we could do.

Snap out of it Yugi.

"Alright, lets go find moneybags." Joey sighs. I know he'd rather not deal with Kaiba but at least he understands we kinda have to.

Atem is by my side in seconds, lacing his fingers in mine and practically glued to me. He's just as affectionate now even with our destination in mind. He's so cute right now.

It shouldn't be a surprise to me that the rest of his house is as lavish as his room. The halls are tall, gilded in silver with various paintings I didn't think he'd have a taste for. The halls are tiled with white marble but royal blue rugs covered most of it and served as like a runway to a massively wide staircase. Its not tall just wide and rounded, getting wider towards the next floor.

I followed the guys cause I have no idea where I'm going. Along the hall were several rooms, all closed though so what was beyond them was beyond me. Smaller rooms, tiny studies, yet more halls… god only knows. But we walked straight passed them, down the gloriously large stairs and followed a gentle curve to an even larger … area. Its much too big and open to call a room, but what else I would call it escapes me. There's no TV but there is a long white leather lounge. There's no desks but there is a very large fish tank inside a wall, lit with heat lamps and encasing what looks like VERY expensive fish. Plant pots decorated the room and a lavish gold chandelier lit the area with ease, twinkling in its own light. A grand piano sat in a corner begging the question if either of the Kaiba brothers played or if it was just for show. I dont even know what to call this room but no ones here so we're still walking.

The next area is obviously the kitchen and dining. Everythings furnished accordingly with very expensive appliance and a very large island to eat on… but again there's only two stools, surprisingly simple too. There's not much personality in this room and a strange image in my head pops up of Kaiba actually cooking using the herbs growing in tidy dragon shaped pots on the counter. Its ridiculous but I would bet on a cardgame to see that.

It is here we find Mokuba though pouring his attention into his laptop until he notices us approach him.

"Hey guys. Yugi, good to see you're up!" He says cheerfully. I always enjoy his positive nature. It's a vast difference to his older brother.

"Hi Mokuba. Thanks. And thanks for helping everyone so much. I cant tell you how grateful I am for your protection." I say humbly, even bowing in respect. It's not often I bow to someone younger than me but Mokuba's done so much to help us and as strangely sincere as Kaiba was earlier I bet it was Mokuba who convinced him to let everyone stay here.

"Eh it's no problem. I mean you guys have saved my life more times than I can count so it's only fair we help you when you need it too."

That's our Mokuba. Always so sweet.

"Hey Mokuba, have you seen your big brother anywhere?" Tea asks him.

"Oh sure. He's in his study." He says happily… but none of us make a move… because none of us know where that is. "Aha… I'll uhh, take ya there." Mokuba laughs nervously.

Its not that far but it is back where we came, through the big fancy room and down a different hallway.

"This place is massive. I'll admit you guys have taste." I say pleasantly as we reach a door that doesn't really stand out from the others.

"Thanks. To be honest Seto doesn't care so much for all the glamour but it looks good for business. He barely uses any of the rooms here but thats one of the tricks of success: what you can see is just as important as what you can't see." He says, knocking on the door until a gruff 'enter' was heard.

Inside Kaiba's study was dark but it was lit well enough by warm lights and a cosy fireplace. Compared to the rest of the house it was actually a little warmer in here which is very welcome. This room is Kaiba's personal study then. It does look well used compared to other rooms I've seen. There's just more in here than the rooms he doesn't use. Bookcases and cabinets lined the walls so there wasn't a single blank space available. A large silver rug lined with a deep blue covered most of the floor and lavish plants decorated the corners in golden pots. His desk was large and before an even larger window standing from the floor all the way to the roof. The curtains are drawn but it must be that large. By the fireplace is a small couch with a small table holding a book and an empty wine glass. Over on his desk though is the bottle along with his computer monitor and various other usual desk things.

Kaiba though sat in his chair, spinning to face us with a half full glass in his hand. If I didn't know any better I would say we were just summoned to meet with some evil boss but this is Kaiba. We're his guests and there's something about his demeanour earlier that tells me something is off.

"Hey big bro, the guys wanted to see you."

"Thank you Mokuba, I can see that." He says gruffly.

"Hi Kaiba, sorry if we're bothering you but I didn't really have the chance to thank you earlier. For all your help and for letting me stay in your room. You've helped my friends, protected my family … I hate to think where we'd be or what I would do without all your help. So thank you. So much." I say, bowing low. I'll admit it feels strange bowing to him considering we're arch rivals but he really has gone above and beyond for us.

"What are you doing?." Kaiba barks, catching me off guard. He sounds angry… of course. We must have cost him a lot for all the trouble.

"I'm thanking you -" I begin but I freeze when he stands abruptly.

"No, what are you doing? What the hell are you thinking? Do you realise how stupid you were tonight? How idiotic you've been lately?" He asks, his tone unimpressed. Im astounded and too stunned to say anything. I didn't expect to get scolded, least of all from him.

"Hey, Kaiba, settle man. He's been through a rough time." Tristan tries to back me up but Kaiba's having none of it.

"Can it Taylor, your friend needs to hear this and if none of you are man enough to help him realise his mistakes then allow me. Listen to me Yugi, I don't make a habit out of being charitable. I came from nothing, I had to learn how to look 5 paces ahead for the dangers that threatened me and my brother and I worked hard to secure our futures. I had no one on my side except for Mokuba where as you on the other hand have always had someone you can rely on. Your grandfather, your friends. You've grown so used to someone bailing you out of trouble that you are taking your life for granted. Now I'm not one to care what you do with your life, but when people have taken it upon themselves to care about you the least you can do is treat your life with some damn respect."

"Watch it Kaiba, you're pushing some buttons." Joey growls angrily behind me.

"Kaiba, Yugi appreciates the support he's given and I have never known him to take anything for granted. What happened tonight-"

"Atem please." I say, silencing him instantly. My heart hurts. It feels like it's breaking… but I need to hear this.

"Yugi…"

"Kaiba's right." I say, nodding to Kaiba to continue. There's a flash of irritation, maybe even mixed with a dash of pride but pushes forward, straightening up as if he needs any more height over me.

"Like I said, I don't care what you do, but you would be a fool to think your friends and family don't. They love you Yugi, and you not only almost cost them deep grief but you also put them in danger too. They can't return home because of your enemies. Your grandfather almost lost his home and his shop because of you. And to make it worse you not only almost threw away your own life but you almost killed someone tonight too. Atem was willing to throw his away for the sake of yours and you didn't even think twice about what you were doing. You were careless, reckless and stupid. You should be grateful for what we're providing you with, but not for your sake Yugi. Your friends didn't ask for any of this to happen, they remain innocent by standers in your path of self destruction. The only reason they are here is because someone needs to take care of the carnage you leave in your wake."

"You go too far Kaiba! Yugi didn't ask for any of this to happen either. You have no right to say these things to him, you have no idea how much pressure and guilt he puts on himself or what he's been through. He's just as much a victim in this as the -"

He keeps going but Kaiba's words ring in my mind louder than anything, echoing off the walls of my heart with a painful ache.

I know I endangered Atem tonight. I know we don't have a home to return to for a short while because of my mistake. I know Bakura and the Yakuza will endanger everyone I love because Bakura hasn't managed to get what he wants yet. I agree with Atem that I am as much a victim as anyone, that I didn't invite this danger into our lives; but Kaiba isn't reminding me that Bakura is my fault: he's reminding me that my choices and my actions have consequences that my friends do not deserve to bare the brunt of. And he's right. I almost died tonight. I wasn't almost severely injured, I didn't just worry them for a few hours… I literally almost died and whats worse is that I put Atem in danger. It is one thing to do something completely reckless and having my only consequences be living with it myself but to endanger him. If anything happened to him it would have been my fault. If I had lived somehow and he didn't… regardless on if I had lived or not if he didn't… his life… his new life thats all his and he can explore and do what he wants and I … could have robbed him of that.

They're still defending me. In fact the argument is getting quite heated. Its mostly Atem and Joey versus Kaiba but I don't deserve their protection. Kaiba is right. And they know it. They must. In any case I know I screwed up. Almost massively. I dont want them to fight anymore. Not over this. Not over me.

"Guys stop."

"But Yug, he's-" Joey tries but a single wave of my hand silences him. It's my turn.

"He's right."

Their gasps and bitings of their tongues are audible but the room has fallen silent now. With them quiet I can feel my heart aching more, my stomach turning with anxiety and regret, fear … my blood is pounding in my ears but at least they're not fighting. I find myself needing to say a million things, mostly a million ways to apologise… but I have no words right now. I'm sorry is too weak. I'll do better is hollow. I know what I need. I just hope they understand.

I bow low to Kaiba, trying hard to find the words without breaking down. I'm on the verge of it, I know and thankfully bowed low like this my hair covers my eyes now wet with the tears I couldn't hold. I just hope in this flickering light they can't see me trembling.

"T-thank you for helping them…" I trail off, my voice is going to fail me. That is the gist of what I want to say to him at least. Anything else is completely unplanned.

"I suggest you get some rest. All of you. Go wash yourself off, eat something and sleep. You have responsibilities you need to take care of. Don't expect my charity will extend so far as to handle that as well." Kaiba says and it is much to my relief. I don't chance a glance to look at him, or my friends. I just turn on my heel to leave swiftly through the door.

Of course it's too much to ask for them to read the air, maybe let me go without a word. Almost instantly Joey taps my arm before I can leave down this hall and find god knows where to just stew a while.

"Yugi, the hell man? You gonna let him talk to you like that?"

"Yeah dude he went too far. You can't believe half the stuff he said to you. He's just sore he doesn't have friends like us that care when he gets into trouble." Tristan …

"Yugi…" Ryou catches my attention with his voice sounding small but concerned. Tristan and Joey are too loud and aggressive to notice but Ryou … he knows how to talk to me. He knows to be gentle.

"I'm sorry guys. Thank you for standing up for me but its not necessary, really." I say, hoping to leave it at that. Maybe now I can ask for some space to think -

"Not necessary?!" Tea exclaims, much to my surprise. I thought she'd be like Ryou and be patient … who am I kidding. This is Tea: one of the kindest people on earth and at the same time one of the fiercest. "Are you serious? Yugi he was tearing you to shreds in there. You don't deserve any of this, Atem was right. You are a victim as much as we are from Bakura's insanity. You always only ever have our best intentions in mind, you can't be blamed for this when it gets out of your hands. None of this is your fault and it's pretty damn rude to throw the blame on you. As if you aren't going through enough. Yugi it's okay to stand up to him. Just because he's helping us it doesn't give him free reign to be a jerk."

I love her. But she's wrong. She's thinking with her heart, not her head. She and the others must know he was right but still they ignore it because it's in my interest to. They're sweet, but I need to face the truth now.

"Tea… guys. Seriously, thank you. I think Atem was right about some things: I do appreciate all of you and I would never intentionally endanger any of you. But Kaiba is right. I was stupid tonight. My careless, reckless and senseless behaviour not only almost cost me my life but Atems' as well."

Their gasp tells me it's not something they're not aware of, but they never expected me to say it. We've been through this before. We agreed we saved each other, but we never would have needed saving if I hadn't been an idiot. If any one thing went wrong, one or both of us wouldn't be standing here right now and if it was him … I feel sick thinking about it.

"You guys are the best friends anyone could ask for and I never want anything terrible to happen to you. You guys have risked so much already, you're in this mess with me and still willing to keep going despite the danger and I can't tell you how much appreciate it because right now I don't deserve it."

"Yugi." They each try but again, I silence them. They need to understand.

"Please understand. I'm trying to tell you what I need. I have a million things I want to say but right now they're all just raw emotion swirling around in my head that I can't make sense of. I want your help but my head keeps screaming so many different things all at once and -"

Ryou reaches through and touches my shoulder and for the briefest moment my mind is silenced with confusion. The look he's giving me is one of understanding. There's a tear in his eye but through them I see he's looking at me so deeply it's as if with one touch he's flayed my skin to reveal whats inside me. I feel so exposed, like I am now standing in front of them with no clothes on but I can't move from under his gaze. What is he doing? I wanted them to understand but this feels too much. I want to cry. I want to break down right now and cry but … not yet. Just hold on Yugi. I'll get away and then you can cry but right now just hold on.

"I understand." His voice attacks my wall and I can feel the crack forming. Just run. Run. Just run and find somewhere to hide. You're fast, you'll catch them off guard. This place is massive; once you lose them you can break.

But I want their help. I want them to understand. I want with me without being with me. I need space but I don't want to push them away.

"You need space. That's what you're trying to tell us, isn't it?" He asks. My wall is now glass. It's holding but it's so weak. So weak. I can't talk. Opening my mouth would be to turn the valve and let it all go but my stunned silence seems to be all he needs.

"Space?" Tea asks, her voice is so much softer now.

"Guys Yugi is going through so many things all at once right now. He woke up, was told a lot of big things and it's only now since Kaiba drove in what reality is that it's catching up to him. He's trying to tell us that he appreciates the help we're giving him but what he needs right now is some space to sort through it all. Right Yugi?" Ryou asks me. I could cry right now and it would be okay. We'd hug and they'd probably pet me until I can talk and then they'd let me go… but I don't want to. Be a man Yugi, grow up. I nod fervorously, finding some reprieve in looking down at my socks. At least here I can't see their eyes. Their piercing, scalding, examining eyes. I know they care but please stop looking at me.

"Oh hey man, if you need space then sure thing." Joey says and it catches me by surprise to hear him so soft spoken. He's not unfamiliar with sincerity but considering a moment ago he was shouting at Kaiba I doubted he would understand.

"Yeah we didn't mean to crowd ya man." Tristan says and now I feel like a complete dick. I didn't want them to feel bad I just wanted some space.

"It's not that I feel crowded it's just … what Ryou says. I have no right to ask this of you guys but just for tonight some space is what I need to sort this out. Please understand. I'm not trying to push you guys away, I'm not rejecting your help - in fact it's the opposite. I am asking for your help and I am asking for you to understand what I need right now." I can't believe I managed to say that so well. Apparently I had more strength than I thought. They nod to me, giving me sincere patient smiles but Atem… his face stabs in the heart. He's been silent this whole time and I thought for sure he'd be speaking for me instead of Ryou - but his eyes are downcast, his brow slightly furrowed. I'd say he looks mad if his lip was being chewed and he wasn't trying to hold his breath. Atem…

"Atem?" I ask. My voice is small, impish and afraid. He's either mad with me, doesn't understand and is hurt or who knows what and I'm afraid of all of it. He looks at me his frown disappears in an instant but what he replaces it with breaks my heart. His ruby eyes are wide, his lips are trembling. He's trying so hard not to cry and remain strong but he's as transparent as I feel. It cuts like a knife to see him like this. He's always so strong

He takes a single breath to steady himself and the smile he forces is still stronger than anything I can muster. He's hurting but somehow he's still able to stand taller than I can.

"I understand, Yugi. I'll admit I'd like nothing more than to be by your side right now. I almost lost you today and I'd like very much not to have you out of my sight, even if you want to be alone if I could just be nearby. But that would defeat the purpose and I respect your wishes. It would be selfish of me to impose and deny you what you need on account of just wanting to be near you."

"Atem…" I breathe softly. I'm glad that's all it is but it still hurts. "Thank you for understanding what I need. If I'm honest… its you I need this space for the most. I want the same: to just be with you and never let go but I don't think I can …"

Oh God. Here it comes. Damn it.

"Yugi …" His pained voice is too much.

"That came out wrong. I'm sorry. Wh-what I mean is I don't think I stand you to look at me right now. I don't think I can bare it. Not with those eyes." I'm crying… like an idiot. And he looks at me with so much confusion, borderline heartbreak because my words are stupid. This is why I needed space… to get my words together so I wouldn't screw this up.

"I don't understand…"

"I know. I know how much life means to you. I've never known anyone to appreciate it as much as you do. You lived in an era where everything was scarce, so every day was a blessing. From the annual rains to simply waking every morning. You learned to love everything and yet you were never allowed to enjoy what life had to offer to its potential because you were forced to give it all up. But you have a new life now. You are alive, 5000 years later in a real body and not chained behind laws and the etiquette that comes with being royalty. You can do whatever you want, go wherever you want and experience it all and you have been. You hate the cold and yet you love it too. You love the stars, the change of the wind. You still pray to the gods and thank them for each day because every day is a blessing and I almost robbed that from you today. Everything you never had and now you do and I almost took it from you. In the most horrific way! Do you understand now? I cant stand to be in my own presence so I can't expect you to want to be in mine. It's the least fair on you to ask you for space considering what you were willing to give up for me but I need it to figure out what the hell I'm doing so don't cost you or anyone else their lives. I -"

He's hugging me. Why is he hugging me? Atem please don't hold me like this. I don't deserve it …

"Hush now, Ife. Hush." He says in a voice so soft it coaxes more tears than stops them. "Let it out. Don't hold this in."

…

…

Damn it!

My body betrays me. I am crying like an idiot and my hands are clawing at his clothes. My legs are wobbling and somehow he knows to guide me to the floor, never once letting me go. I crawl into him, smothering myself in his shirt, crying like a baby but I can't stop it now. That glass dam is broken and I am now a complete mess in his arms. I know I said he shouldn't stand being in my presence but I can't even bring myself to let him go or push him away from me.

"I know what you need but it isn't space Yugi. You need forgiveness. You need to forgive yourself. It is clear to me and everyone else whatever lesson you feel you need to learn, you've already learned it. Punishing yourself isn't going to help you, but forgiveness will. Please."

Forgiveness…

Why?

Why doesn't he hate me?

"Please. Yugi. I forgive you. I love you. Forgive yourself."

How…?

"I'm sorry." I cry. His shirt muffles my voice and when he asks what I said I repeat myself. Again. And again. And again. And again. He stops asking me, taking to gently rocking and petting my hair, stroking my arm and all I can do is apologise and cry as the shattered pieces of me surround us. He holds me as a father holds their child, as a guardian protects their ward. He holds me while I break and crumble and while I asked for space I find myself quickly taking that back. All I want now is him. I don't want to be alone. I want to be lost in his embrace, safe in his clutches and smothered in his heartbeat.

I want…

Forgiveness.