Chapter 7

Yugi woke up to his phone chiming repeatedly. He groaned, trying to blink away his dizziness.

He was temporarily blinded by the light from his phone before he made out several angry texts from Te'a.

He said up slowly and sent his reply, confused on what she was talking about.

He would never disrespect her in front of everyone. He racked his brain for details from the night before.

Nothing.

Leave it up to him to get blackout drunk from two glasses of wine.

He stood up and stretched, groaning as his migraine hit him with full force. He slumped back onto the couch and and rubbed at his temples.

"Rough morning?"

Yugi let out an embarrassingly high pitched yelp when he saw Kaiba. Who was sipping a cup of coffee at the kitchen island.

"Holy Fu-! What are you doing here?" Yugi yelled, immediately regretting his volume as he rubbed his eyes.

Kaiba took another gentle sip from his coffee and set the mug down with a light tap.

"I'm taking Atem to bunch." Kaiba said plainly, checking his watch impatiently.

Yugi chuckled lightly as he sat back down, giving up any hope of opening the game shop today. He didn't like that Kaiba was trying so hard to be with Atem again. Especially when he hasn't told Atem about the money.

Kaiba narrowed his eyes at the spiky haired male, "What?"

Yugi shook his head and scoffed, "Do you really think he's ever going to trust you again?"

Kaiba smirked, "I think he's more inclined to trust me over you at this point. All we had was a misunderstanding, you're a cheater and a mean drunk. Are you going to disrespect Atem the next time you get drunk off of a sip of wine?" Kaiba said with a chuckle.

Yugi's face twisted into a confused expression, "Mean drunk? Te'a said something about feeling disrespected, but I'd never disrespect her-"

"Yeah you probably promised you'd never cheat either…" Kaiba said, taking a smug sip from his mug.

Yugi sighed and looked at his phone, "I would never lie to Te'a about money."

Kaiba's brow perked up, "Your point?"

"Atem's money. The money you said he stole. I think you and I both know the truth, but does Atem know that he's hurting himself to return that was his all along? Ohhh, and Salem's a pretty protective friend, I bet as soon as she finds out, that deal with Kaiba Corp and her makeup line is through. " Yugi stared into Kaiba's intense gaze before he put the last few pieces together.

"Ahhhh I get it. If Kaiba Corp isn't apart of this project you have no reason to be around Atem! How did you weasel your way into getting Salem's approval?" Yugi asked, realizing Kaiba hasn't changed at all. Still as sneaky and underhanded as ever.

Kaiba ignored Yugi's question as he finished his coffee, now less enjoyable without the upper hand in the conversation.

Yugi narrowed his eyes at the brunette, remembering something about Salem and Kaiba going to dinner.

He gasped as he made the connection, "You're blackmailing her aren't you? Did you two actually have sex and neither of you want Atem to know?-"

"I'm doing nothing of the sort. And I would never touch that woman." Kaiba lied, knowing full well he would never have sex with her, but he's physically assaulted her at least twice and is definitely blackmailing her. But not for what Yugi thinks.

Yugi glared at Kaiba and crossed his arms, "Fine. Don't tell me. But what's this about Te'a rethinking our relationship. Do you know what I did?" He thought he might as well get some information on his behavior from last night.

Kaiba rolled his eyes and checked his watch again, "Something about a mattress. You were an asshole about it."

Yugi groaned in frustration and tried to call Te'a's number.

No answer.

"Goddamnit!" Yugi yelled, "Ah, shit ow.." he held his face in his hands.

"Aibou, you're up!" Atem chirped, running down the staircase with renewed vigor. His back miraculously healed from the night before.

He gave Yugi a crushing hug and smiled, "You look awful, come with me and Kaiba for breakfast!"

"No." Kaiba deadpanned. He wanted to be alone with Atem. None of the group breakfast bullshit.

"Oh hush, Kaiba. Aibou had a rough night and I think brunch among friends will do him good!" Atem beamed.

"Dinner among friends is what fucked him up in the first place." Kaiba argued, he was not taking the ex twins out for brunch. It was either him and Atem or no brunch at all.

Atem huffed and crossed his arms, he wanted both of his friends to get along and now that the worst was out, maybe they could make real progress over mimosas.

Yugi thought the idea of more drinks was a bad one, especially after last night.

"I should probably talk to Te'a in person. She's really mad at me." Yugi said rubbing at the back of his head.

"Rightfully so, Aibou. You need to treat your girlfriend with more respect.-"

"Ex girlfriend now, I bet." Kaiba added with a smirk.

Yugi sighed and started at his phone, "No, I don't think she'll dump me. She gets upset, yeah, but I feel like she stays with me so I'm the one who's always damaged goods…" Yugi said sadly.

Kaiba sighed and crossed his arms, "That's ridiculous. She should either forgive you and move on or choose not to forgive you and break up."

Atem raised an eyebrow at Kaiba, surprised that the brunette was making sense.

"I didn't realize you were so unhappy Aibou." Atem said taking Yugi's hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Yugi's eyes became hot and immediately teared up, "I didn't know either…" He said with a sob.

Atem's heart sank as he watched Yugi break down in front of him.

"Kaiba, let's reschedule. Yugi needs me right now." Atem said, sitting Yugi on the couch, trying to calm his friend down.

Kaiba groaned internally, hating that Atem's caring nature was working against him yet again.

Wait.

This might be perfect.

Kaiba put on caring expression and sat on the other side of Yugi.

"Mokuba said you had a good time at the spa the other day, maybe you should take the day to clear your head." Kaiba said gently.

Atem was surprised at Kaiba's supportive behavior.

"Maybe he really has changed…" Atem thought, suddenly hatching an idea.

"I'll be right back." Atem said, patting Yugi's shoulder.

Atem hastily climbed up the stairs and knocked loudly on Salem's door.

The door swung open revealing Salem in a tight light pink pencil skirt, and white silk button down shirt. Her hair was in an elegant messy bun and her face was painted to perfection.

"What is it, Atem? You're never up this early." She asked looking over Atem's shoulder to see Kaiba and Yugi sitting on the couch.

She sighed and leaned against her door frame, exhausted from dealing with his group of friends.

Atem looked his friend up and down, "Where are you going dressed like that?"

"Ya Rohbi, Atem, I have a job besides taking care of you. I was going to meet with my lawyer about the contracts Mr. Kaiba sent us-"

"Is there a reason you weren't taking me to this meeting? You said it yourself, We're partners, mish kida?" Atem said, mocking her.

Salem sighed and adjusted her shirt, "I was going to take you, but then you threw your back out. Speaking of which, you look like you're ready to go somewhere yourself. You should be resting."

Atem crossed his arms, "For your information, Kaiba was going to take me to brunch."

Salem rolled her eyes again and walked past Atem and down the stairs.

Atem followed her and grabbed her arm, "What's your problem? I was coming to ask you about those contracts anyway. Why are you so snippy this morning?"

"Atem, I have work to do. You can come with me if you like but I won't let you make me late for my appointment." She said, walking into the kitchen.

She blinked at her chemex pour over, noticing that the coffee grinds had been used and her kettle was empty.

She turned toward the counter and saw that the mug she set out for herself had also been used.

Kaiba smirked at her as she put the dirty mug in the sink and went into her cabinet.

She sighed when she realized that was her last serving of coffee.

"Skhyf al'ahmaq shurb qahuti!" She whispered harshly under her breath, slamming the cabinet shut.

"Sala, language!" Atem said, glaring at his roommate. He couldn't believe how she was acting this morning.

Yugi perked up when the apartment door opened and Joey walked into the middle of the war zone.

"Whoa...bad timing." Joey said placing a cardboard carrier containing four to go cups of coffee on the counter.

"Actually perfect timing." Atem said pointing at the coffee on the counter.

Joey blinked at the ex pharaoh, "Oh yeah, I wanted to get something to thank Salem for dinner and for letting us crash here." He said taking one of the cups out of the container and passing it to Salem.

"I just got it black. I don't know what you like in your morning joe." He said blushing when he noticed Salem's outfit.

Hot damn.

"From what happened last night I'd say Salem likes her "morning joe" blonde." Kaiba sneered.

Yugi let out a snort and covered his mouth. There wasn't a lot he remembered, but he definitely remembered Salem and Joey kissing last night.

He couldn't control himself any longer and began laughing in earnest, immediately joined by Atem and Kaiba.

Joey's whole body turned even more red as he locked eyes with Salem.

She was livid.

She took a deep breath and smiled at Joey, "Thank you, hubun." She sipped her coffee as Atem squealed.

"She called him LOVE!" He said chuckling.

"Fuck You guys, I'm leaving." She said, starting to walk towards the door.

"Salem, you can't take that meeting without me. Why don't we all go? Kaiba can get his lawyer on the phone, and we can get the signing finished! Then we can treat Yugi to a day of pampering for our video!" Atem explained.

Kaiba's heart was doing back flips. His plan was working.

"I think that's a great idea." Kaiba said, standing up.

"Of course you do." Salem spat, her eyes narrowed at the tall brunette.

Yugi sighed, "I could use some pampering...it'll give me time to think. Te'a isn't responding to my messages anyway.." He wiped his tears, and stood up as well.

"I might be in the way, so I can just head home." Joey added. He had stopped by the Game Shop to put up a sign saying they were closed for repairs.

It wasn't the first time he had to cover for Yugi.

"Nonsense! Joey you can help us film! I mean, only if you want to." Atem said excitedly. He knew that having his friends involved would make things less stressful.

Joey grinned from ear to ear, completely on board with the idea. Plus, any extra time he got to spend with Salem would be a bonus.

"I'd love to!" Joey chirped.

Salem sighed and tucked a loose curl behind her ear, "Fine. Whose car are we taking?" She asked Kaiba, putting her hand on her hip.

"Yours, idiot." Kaiba spat in perfect German, knowing Salem could understand him. After doing some research, Kaiba learned that Salem spoke many languages to aid in her business ventures.

"Drop dead." Salem retorted in the same language.

Salem lead the way to the parking garage. She walked up to her white Tesla, pressing a button on his keys to unlock the car.

Joey gasped and whistled, "Quite the ride you got here, Salem." He said as he got into the front seat.

"Thank y-"

"What do you think you're doing, mutt? I'm not sitting in the back seat." Kaiba said, grabbing Joey by the collar of his shirt.

"Let go a me, rich boy!" Joey yelled, he would sit next to Salem even if it killed him.

"Mr. Kaiba, Joseph brought me coffee after you drank my last serving. You can sit in the middle seat for all I care. Joseph, buckle up." Salem said getting into the driver's seat.

"I am NOT sitting in the middle seat." Kaiba huffed, looking at Yugi.

Yugi crossed his arms, "Well, I'm not sitting in the middle." He hated always having to be the one to give in. If today was going to be about keeping him relaxed, then the last thing he wanted was to sit in the worst seat in the car.

"I can't sit in the middle. If my back goes out again, this video is never getting made." Atem said getting in the backseat behind Salem.

Atem hated to be selfish, but if there was one thing he knew, it's that the middle seat was terrible.

Kaiba and Yugi glared at each other waiting for the other to give in.

"You're sitting in the middle." Kaiba growled, looking down at the smaller to intimidate him.

"That's fine. It'll give me a chance to talk to Atem about his outstanding debt." Yugi said matter of factly. He made a motion to get into the car when Kaiba grabbed Yugi's arm.

"You used to be a pushover." Kaiba spat, climbing into the middle seat next to Atem.

The meeting went too well.

The contracts were signed and notarized within a matter of thirty minutes.

Joey used Salem's phone to film the event, trying to keep himself from only filming her.

He didn't want the video to be unusable.

Salem had said something about it the behind the scenes look for Atem's subscribers, and Joey definitely didn't want to ruin that.

Kaiba squeezed Atem's thigh as Yugi took a picture of Salem, Kaiba, and Atem all signing their respective copies.

He had won.

Kaiba shook the lawyer's hand and thanked his lawyer for being able to call in last minute.

As they left the office, Atem gave Salem a gentle hug,

"I know we were a lot to deal with this morning but thank you. I wouldn't have made it this far without you, malaika."

Salem didn't answer as the group piled into her car. She sighed as Kaiba got in the front seat and smirked at her.

"You should be happy. Isn't this what you wanted?" Kaiba whispered haughtily.

Salem rolled her eyes and started the car, trying her best to ignore Kaiba's shit eating grin.

Yugi sighed as he shifted uncomfortably in the middle seat. He jumped as he felt Atem's warm fingers against his skin

His cheeks grew hot as Atem absentmindedly traced circles on the back of Yugi's hand.

Joey looked over at the two smaller males and cleared his throat,

"Hey, uh, Yuge, did you text Te'a back?" He didn't like to interfere, but knowing what he knows now about Atem and Yugi, he wasn't about to let his friend make the same mistake twice.

Yugi snapped out of his thoughts and checked his phone.

No messages.

"She's ignoring me, Joey. I'm really at a loss. I keep messing up but she stays with me and makes me feel guilty…" Yugi said sadly.

"I'm so sorry. I don't know your relationship but may I say something?" Salem asked pulling out of the lot and onto the main road.

"Yes, please. Anything will help." Yugi said, exasperated.

"You need to break up with her." Salem stated.

Everyone in the car fell awkwardly silent.

"W-what?" Yugi asked, wondering if he'd heard her correctly.

"She says she forgives you, yes?"

"Well yeah." Yugi shrugged.

"Does she constantly guilt trip you with the mistake that she says she forgives you for?" Salem asked.

"...Yeah…"

"That's abusive. And it's not healthy. Either she forgives you or she doesn't. Last night you were mean, sure, but it seemed to me that you were fed up with being her punching bag. You and Atem on the other hand, have actual chemistry...sooner or later you two-"

"What are you getting at, Salem?" Kaiba interrupted. He knew that the only thing keeping Yugi and Atem apart was Te'a. If Yugi and Te'a break up, Atem will chose Yugi over Kaiba without a second thought.

Salem sighed, "I'm just saying you only have one life. Do you really want to spend it being miserable?"

Yugi stared blankly at his lap and willed himself not to cry.

She was right. And, Kaiba had said basically the same thing before they left this morning.

He was only staying with Te'a out of guilt and there was no sign of things getting better between them.

He had to end things with Te'a.

Tonight.

The car stayed quiet and tense as Salem pulled into a parking lot of a restaurant.

Kaiba raised an eyebrow,

"What are you doing?"

Salem put the car in park and shut off the engine,

"Brunch." She said getting out of the car.

Atem gasped got out of the vehicle, barely able to contain his excitement.

He LOVED brunch. He was glad Salem remembered that no one had eaten yet.

Kaiba glared at Salem as everyone slowly made their way out of the car and into the the waiting area of the packed restaurant.

He crossed his arms and looked around, seeing no space for their group.

"Let's go, we aren't waiting." Kaiba huffed, glaring at everyone he saw taking stealthy pictures of him.

Atem groaned, and rolled his eyes.

"Somethings never change." He murmured, nudging Yugi, who was still eerily silent and trapped in his own thoughts.

Joey looked at his quiet friend and frowned. He wished there was something he could do to help Yugi's situation but he didn't want to involve himself in Yugi's relationship with Te'a.

The dynamic of the gang was already shaky enough.

Salem waved at the hostess and smiled brightly. She held up her hand to let the hostess know how many were in their party.

The hostess spoke to Salem in Arabic and frantically shook her hand.

The group watched in confusion as they were immediately led to a private patio, away from the noisy patrons and prying eyes.

They were sat at a round table, Yugi and Joey sitting on either side of Atem.

Kaiba felt a twinge of jealousy as Atem smiled at the smaller male. He took a seat between Yugi and Salem, hating everything.

Yugi smiled back at Atem and felt his heart flutter when the ex pharaoh winked and said,

"Let's get you something to get rid of that hangover, aibou."

Yugi's cheeks turned red when Atem unfolded his napkin and placed it in Yugi's lap.

Kaiba glared at the scene in front of him and took out his phone, tapping his screen angrily.

The waitress came by and took everyone's drink and food orders.

While Joey was having trouble deciding what to order, Yugi's phone buzzed in his pocket.

He tried to ignore it but it buzzed again.

It might be Te'a.

He took his phone out of this pocket and looked at his messages.

What the…

Kaiba-kun: Switch seats with me. Now.

..

Kaiba-kun: Don't fucking ignore me.

Yugi sighed and typed his reply, sick of Kaiba's behavior.

Mutou Yugi: No.

…

….

Kaiba-kun: If you don't switch, I'll text Te'a and tell her you and Atem have been flirting all morning. Your choice.

…

…

…

..

Mutou Yugi: Go ahead and tell her.

Kaiba growled internally and glared at Yugi, who remained looking as innocent as possible as he gave his order to the waitress.

Fucking great.

Now he would have to watch Yugi and Atem make doe eyes at each other all day.

Spectacular.

Te'a stretched as she finished her evening run. She needed to clear her head and think about what she wanted in her future.

She knew that she wanted Yugi as a partner.

She realized that over the last couple of days she had been overly demanding with Yugi and she felt awful for treating someone she loved so much so badly.

Her phone buzzed several times as she walked into her parents home.

Te'a trudged up the stairs, muscles sore from her workout and went into her bedroom to read the messages in private.

Eh?

Almost all of her American friends sent her a link to a video with a title that said,

A Makeover Fit For A KING

They were saying things like "Isn't that your boyfriend?" and "Why Atem the beauty blogger all up on your man?"

She hesitantly tapped the play button and immediately hated what she saw,

Salem, Atem, and Yugi all sitting in front of the camera happily clinking glasses of champagne.

It was like Salem was taking her spot as the only girl in the gang.

No.

No matter how bad things got between Te'a and Yugi, she could always count on him remaining loyal.

And the group loved Te'a...right?

She brought her attention back to the video and rolled her eyes as Salem winked at the camera.

Salem: As promised, we have a special guest here today and we're going to treat him like the king he is! Yugi Mutou, King of Games, what do you currently use for skin care?

Yugi: *Rubs the back of his head* ….Water?

Atem laughs in the background and Salem sticks her tongue out.

Salem: That's fine Yugi! It's more fun for me this way.

Salem begins to touch Yugi's face to feel his skin type and nods to herself. She looks at the camera as it zooms in dramatically.

Salem: Let's get this party started.

Cut to a close up of Yugi's face as Salem begins the facial. The video slows down when she shows a product from her skin care line, and speeds up as she applies it.

The video slows to a normal speed as Salem finishes moisturizing Yugi's face. She gives him a hand held mirror.

Salem: What do you think, cutie?

Te'a's blood was boiling.

How dare that little-

Yugi: Holy shit, my skin looks so good! *touches his cheek and moans* Oh my God it's sooooo soft.

Salem laughs and kisses Yugi once on both cheeks.

Salem: I'm glad you love it, habibi. Are you ready for Atem to paint your face to the GODS?

Yugi: *Nervously* Oh um. Sure.

Te'a frowned.

Yugi seemed to be acting completely normal. Normal for him, anyway.

She paused the video and checked her messages a second time. She had ignored him earlier in the day but-

No new messages from Yugi.

Not since this morning.

She sighed a played the video, this time Atem and Yugi were sitting in front of the camera. She couldn't help but get jealous when Atem grabbed Yugi's hand and stroked his cheek.

Atem was playing a dangerous game, and Te'a wasn't sure how long she could ignore his obvious disrespect for their relationship.

Atem: You look amazing, Aibou. And don't be afraid, I'm going to give you a natural glow. Have you ever worn makeup before.

Yugi shrugs his shoulders and blushes.

Yugi: Eye liner once or twice. But, when I look back at pictures I realize how bad it looked.

Atem laughs heartily and smiles.

Atem: Well we'll fix that today. Everything we use on you, you can take home and use to your heart's content, including the make up.

Yugi: You guys are so sweet. In any case, I trust you.

Yugi smiles and looks into Atem's eyes.

Atem smiles back and begins with a light foundation, concealer for Yugi's dark circles, and contour on his nose. He blends everything out and packs a translucent powder where the concealer was placed to bake it.

Yugi: What is this?

Atem: It's called baking. It's to help lift the brightness of the concealer. It helps set the product in place.

Atem grabs a brow pencil and dips into a dark brown brow gel, filling in and shaping Yugi's browline.

Yugi: So it's...baking...powder..

Atem giggles and taps a fluffy brush against Yugi's nose before brushing off the the bake.

Atem: You're silly. You're looking really snatched already, Aibou. You'll probably get twice as many ladies after this.

Yugi scoffs as Atem brushes a golden highlight on his cheekbones, nose, and cupids bow. Atem then takes out a large eyeshadow palette.

Yugi: I don't attract anyone….

Atem rolls his eyes and taps a brush into a light brown pan.

Atem: Well you'll get twice as many of whom ever after this.

Salem laughs off camera.

Salem: Twice of anything times zero is still zero, Atem. Bish I thought you were good at math!

Atem: Shut the fuck up Salem, you're just mad because Yugi wouldn't let you touch his hair!

Salem: No means no! I'm not going to change his hair if he doesn't want me to!

A deep male voice shouts from off camera as well.

Kaiba: Will you two stop bickering and wrap this up?!

Atem sighs and continues to apply shadow to Yugi's lid.

Yugi: Stop being grumpy Kaiba you're ruining their bit!

Kaiba: Shut up and model!

A sigh is heard on the other side of the camera and a caption pops up at the bottom of the screen.

That's Yugi's friend, Joey, who is regretting his part in all of this.

Atem finishes Yugi's maroon and gold eye look with a winged eyeliner and mascara. He applies a deep brown red lip stain and puts a light coat of gold lip gloss over the stain.

Yugi looks into the mirror and gasps.

Yugi: I have so many feelings. I want this version of me to have sex with the real me.

Everyone laughs on and off camera.

Atem: I know I said natural but I really couldn't help myself, you look so good. I could eat you alive.

Yugi blushes and smiles at Atem.

Cut to Salem, Yugi, and Atem sitting in front of the camera. Their champagne glasses now all have matching lipstick marks on the rims.

Salem: Yugi, would you wear a full face everyday?

Yugi: Probably not everyday. And I wouldn't be able to make my eyeshadow look like this..,like ever.

Atem: It's pretty easy when you have the right palette. Would you ever get one?

Yugi: If I ever found one that made sense to me…

Salem: What if it was Duel Monsters themed?

Atem and Salem look at the camera as it quick zooms in and out.

Atem: #shamelessplug! Surprise! Our big announcement is not only that Salem and I are launching our own line of cosmetics-

Salem: But that in our line, we've created a Duel Monsters themed eyeshadow palette! We're collaborating with Duel Monsters creator Maximillion Pegasus, and none other than Seto Kaiba himself! Who knows, maybe we'll get the dragon man himself a makeover.

Kaiba: *from off camera* Eat me.

Salem gives the middle finger to Kaiba as Atem and Yugi are distracted by each other.

Yugi smiles and holds Atem's hand.

Yugi: This is all so amazing. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Atem smirks at Yugi mischievously and speaks in a deep purr.

Atem: Neither can I, Aibou….

Salem clears her throat.

Salem: Well that's it from us for this week! Stay tuned for updates on the line as well as next week's hair tutorial, where I'll give Atem dark purple box braids!

Atem, Salem, and Yugi raise their glasses to the camera and say goodbye in unison.

Outro and screen to black.

Te'a locked her phone screen and sighed. She would have to set boundaries with Atem.

If she was going to continue her relationship with Yugi, him and Atem would never be allowed to be alone together.

"It's better this way." She thought to herself.

It was late and she knew Yugi had to have been home by now. Most likely asleep.

She unlocked her phone and formed at new message to send to Atem, hating herself for what she was about to do.

Te'a Gardener: Atem. You're my friend and I love you. But, stay away from Yugi.

Her heart raced as she saw the ellipses pop up immediately.

This would be good. Atem isn't unreasonable and he'll respect her wishes.

…

….

Atemu: No.

Eh?

EHHHHHHHHH?

Thank you for reading! I'm sorry if this chapter was all over this place but I really wanted to fit the video into this week.

The phrase that Salem says in Arabic translates to "Fucking asshole drinking my coffee."

Thank you to those of you who left Kudos, reviewed, and favorited!

I would love to hear more from you all so please leave a review, even if it's something as simple as "This was funny."

Again, I don't mind CONSTRUCTIVE criticism! If you are an anon and you would like to leave a comment, I highly recommend you sign in!

I've disabled anonymous commenting on AO3 because humans can't be trusted when they think no one can see them.

Next update of this chapter won't be until after this upcoming weekend as L' Appel Du Vide will be posted this Friday/Saturday (Let's be honest, sunday).