Talks of the Past
"I suppose the first time we started to realize was when we were completing the puzzle that my grandfather had given me back in high school," Yuugi began. "You remember that, love? All those hours we spent on that thing?"
Yami laughed with remembrance. "How could I not?"
Sugoroku watched as his grandson sat on the living room couch, engrossed in the golden puzzle he had scavenged from one of his numerous trips to Egypt. He supposed that any normal teenager obsessed with a challenge would find it intriguing, it was only natural. And his Yuugi, of course, absolutely adored challenges.
No, what was odd was the small little detail of a certain lap he was sitting in, belonging to none other than Yami Takachi.
'This looks familiar,' the old man thought to himself. A bomb could fall outside and the two probably wouldn't even notice. He shook his head. 'I need to get some fresh air.'
Yuugi, meanwhile, grabbed another piece to fit it into place. It was so odd, and yet so pretty. He held one side of the puzzle while Yami held the other.
Feather light touches dances along his fingers, and he vaguely registered that there was a dusky bronze covering his soft alabaster.
"Chink!" That piece had slipped gracefully into place. "Yes!" he cried gleefully. They had been working on the puzzle all weekend, only now getting two more pieces to fit. However, there was still a long way to go before they were finished.
"Good job, Yuugi," Yami breathed, moist breath raining down the teenager's neck. For some reason, he felt his eyelids close a little, relaxing further into Yami's warm chest.
He grabbed another piece, holding it nimbly in his fingers. Dark hands moved down his arms, coming to rest on his hands delicately. Gods, Yami was so soft. . .so warm. . .
Yuugi turned his head slightly, causing his cheek to rub against Yami's shoulder. So safe he felt. . .so wanted. . .so loved. . .
Yami's grip on him tightened just a tad, pulling him in closer. A trembling sigh cascaded over him, a sleepy haze taking over. A small yearning deep inside quivered slightly. . .he needed something. . .
A trembling hand clutched at the black shirt he was currently pressed against. He moved his sleepy eyes upward, gazing contentedly into swirls of glimmering crimson passion. . . so bright. . . so wanting. . .
Before he knew it, fiery lips were pressed against his, the sudden sensation that he was floating sweeping over his senses. This felt so right. . .
'I'm kissing Yami. . .' Yuugi snapped abruptly out of his haze, looking at Yami shocked and confused. The other teenager looked just as astounded.
"I. . .I. . ." Yami stuttered, not knowing what to say. Yuugi cleared his throat, lowering his head to scratch behind. "Umm. . .good work on the puzzle so far Yami."
"Yeah. . .good work." Blushing madly, Yami picked up his jacket and headed for the door. "I'll-uh, see you at school on Monday."
"Yeah, see ya."
Yumi whistled. "That had to be the most awkward moment to go through."
Yuugi and Yami both nodded. "It was extremely confusing for us. We never knew that such a relationship was possible. Especially between us. So, naturally, we tried to ignore it," the violet eyed man filled in.
"You still talked to each other, right?"
"We acted as if nothing had ever happened," Yami spoke. "However, we couldn't avoid the inevitable for ever."
"How long was it before you went back over to Yuugi's house, papa?"
Yami smiled. "I couldn't stay away for more than three days."
"Three?" Yumi mused to herself. "Popular number with you, huh?"
"That it is."
Yuugi sat on his floor in his bedroom, still hard at work on the puzzle. Yami sat across from him. The two were bent over the little golden pieces, concentrating furiously. Blonde bangs intermingled without notice.
Yuugi 'hmm-ed' to himself, switching the direction of a particular piece.
Something twitched inside of Yami, but he struggled to ignore it. Yuugi's soft breaths were filling his ears, mixing in deliciously with his own.
"No Yuugi, over here," he whispered, pointing to a certain spot. Yuugi nodded his head, ruffling their bangs. Another twitch inside. So warm, Yuugi seemed, even at a small distance.
Unconsciously, he licked his lips, vaguely remembering the kiss that they never mentioned. So sweet. . .so supple. . .
He mentally kicked himself when his pants became slightly constricting. He wasn't supposed to be feeling this way. Yuugi was his best friend.
'Aren't your lovers supposed to be your best friend,' a little voice chimed wickedly inside his head.
But it was a sin. . .it said so in the bible. . .
'But you don't follow the bible. . .do you?' that little voice went again.
Yuugi sighed in front of him, turning his head slightly to get a different view, bringing those lush lips into better view.
Instinct? Is that what it was? What is it called when one can no longer control their own actions? Temporary insanity? Yeah, that's it. He'll just claim temporary insanity.
Then next thing he knew, Yuugi was crushed beneath him, the two engaged in an impressive lip-lock. Beneath him Yuugi groaned slightly, the instant reaction from Yami was to grind their hips together. Another mewl.
'Gods, so sweet.'
It must have been a good three minutes before they broke apart, breathless and flushed.
"Yami. . .I. ." Yuugi started. Yami cut him off quickly.
"I love you, Yuugi. At least. . I think I do. What else could this be?" Yami half reasoned, half pleaded.
Yuugi frowned slightly. "I don't know. This. . .it's not right. . . is it?" His pleading was just as desperate as the one still on top of him. Yami frowned as well, petting Yuugi's hair affectionately. "Does it matter?"
Yuugi stopped searching Yami with his eyes for an answer, now looking inside. It felt so right to him. . .and probably to Yami too for that matter. . .what did it matter what everyone else would think? What did people do when a white and a black fell in love? They no longer ridicule it, do they? Well, some might, but not as widely anymore.
Faintly, Yuugi smiled slightly. "What are we going to tell everyone?"
Yami continued to run his fingers through Yuugi's soft tresses. "We won't, not yet at least. When we get out of high school, if anyone decides against us, we'll be able to be on our own."
Yuugi frowned. "You parents."
Yami merely gave a nod.
Yuugi took a sigh after this one, deciding against telling all of the details. Some things Yumi probably didn't want to know.
"Wow. Looks like that puzzle helped to bring you two together in a way." The teenager had now gotten herself a glass of soda to enjoy while listening."
"Well, it certainly sped things up for us. That is fact is for sure," Yami added.
"Did you tell anyone at school?"
"We kept it a secret from everybody for two years. In fact, no one found out about our relationship until graduation night."
Yumi looked over at Yuugi. "What happened, Otousan?"
Yuugi visibly frowned. "We haven't talked about this in years."
"She has a right to know," Yami sighed. He turned his attention at his daughter. "It was raining that night, and Yuugi and I had left right after the ceremony because of it."
Two grown teenagers laughed maniacally as they ran down the drenched alley, black capes billowing in the slight breeze. The two were completely soaked.
"Congratulations," Yuugi beamed.
"Congratulations to you too," Yami laughed, the two of them stopping on Yuugi's back porch. Pulling the smaller one closer to him, he embraced his love in a passionate kiss. It was certainly a time for celebrating. He could risk it out in the open this one time, rain falling mercilessly in their eyes.
Thunder pounded in their ears, beating in time with their erratic heartbeats. Eighteen and out of high school. Off to college now.
The shrill scream of a woman pierced through their ears. The two froze, recognizing the voice. Face pale, Yuugi hid his gaze in the crook of Yami's neck, not daring to say anything.
And as Yami looked up, he saw the frozen face of none other than his extremely devout catholic mother, Susan Takachi, standing under an umbrella.
"Yami. . .what is this?! I come over to give you a ride home from the rain… and…" she seemed to have lost her voice. Susan looked like she had seen a ghost.
"Mother, this is the one that I love," Yami stated. The now aged woman's face became cold and resolute. She was silent for a while, scrutinizing the two like a child would the new kid at school. Something not too-friendly glinted like steel in her eyes. She looked horrified.
"Do not come back. My husband and I have no son. Our _son_ would not disgrace us in such a _perverted_ manner," she hissed with venom. And with that, she turned on her heal and left.
Yuugi felt Yami sigh heavily into his damp hair, squeezing him tighter. "Oh, Yami. . ." It was all that he could muster. He could see watery eyes, but the salty vapors were lost amidst the pouring rain. Still, Yuugi kissed them away.
"Come on, Yuugi. Let's get out of the rain," his voice cracked, struggling to remain strong.
Yuugi knew that Yami had expected such a reaction from his mother, but he had still hoped that it would have been different.
Unlocking the door, the two stepped inside, discarding their black graduation robes, removing their shoes, and finally their wet socks.
"Yuugi, you're back early. But suppose with all of this rain, you decided to skip the outdoor party held at the school." Yuugi's grandfather sat at a nearby table with a book in hand. Unfortunately, his health in his late age inhibited his ability to go to see the ceremony. His old joints were just in too much pain.
"Hai, Ji-chan. We came back early." At the sad tone in Yuugi's voice, Sugoroku turned to look at his grandson, noticing now for the first time just how down the two looked.
"Yuugi, what happened," he questioned.
Yuugi looked back at Yami and sighed. Holding his hand out, Yami reached out his own tentatively, finally taking hold. Slowly walking up until the two were side by side, Yuugi made his announcement. "Ji-chan," he started, "Yami and I have been seeing each other on a more intimate level since we were juniors in high school. And now, Susan just found out, disowning him on the spot."
The elderly man could see Yami's head lowered, almost afraid to look him in the eye. For the past three years this had been Yami's real home, adopting Yuugi's grandfather as his own. If Sugoroku shunned them too. . .it was too much to thing about right now.
The old man sighed. "I figured as much."
Yuugi looked up abit shocked. "You did?"
He nodded. "I noticed when you two were merely three years old. Your mother did too, Yuugi."
Violet eyes met his own lavender, relieved and surprised. "You're not angry?"
"I'm too old to be angry, Yuugi." He gave a small smile to let them know that everything was all right.
Yuugi looked back at Yami, then back to his grandfather. "Ji-chan, please, can Yami stay here for now? We'll both be off to college in the fall, and summer jobs have already been lined up. . ."
"Of course, of course. He's been staying here for years now, ne? Just, make sure you don't do anything at night. I've been a light sleeper lately." He actually was amused at the furious blush creeping across the young man's face.
Yami walked up to him, dripping with water, hair limp, and face gleaming. Grabbing one of Sugoroku's aged hands, he shook it with gratitude. "Thank you," he said with conviction, and Sugoroku realized it was the most heart-felt thank you he'd ever received.
Yumi was left speechless for a moment. "She just. . .left you? Completely? How. . .how could she?"
Yami was looking off to the side, the subject still very sensitive even after so many years. "Even my father couldn't look me in the eye anymore."
"Did you ever see them again?"
"Once," he sighed, closing his eyes as the painful memories flooded back. Yuugi held his hand to comfort him. "That is a day I could never forget."
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Okay place to stop for now. Want more? Like? Review?