Disclaimer: Plain and simple. I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh.
A/N: Hello all! Hope this finds you doing well. This chapter was a lot of fun to write. One of my best ones, in my opinion. Nothing more to really say, except this story is beginning to wind down, and while I'll be sorry to see it go, I'm anxious to begin work on one of the many that are swinging around in my head. So, without further ado, responses to my reviewers and chapter fifteen!
~ Ocean
*chuckles* Fourteen reviews for chapter fourteen. There's gotta be something in that!
Silver Draggon: We have a squealer! Glad someone was happy and realized I was still alive. Your review came so quickly, too! Before the site even let me see that the chapter was uploaded. It 'twas very nice. Glad you liked a stronger version of Yuugi than most portray him. Sometimes I have to wonder if any of them have ever seen the show, since Yuugi is not weak.... I take that back. He's weak in the WB's version, but in the original, untainted one, he's strong. I like that Yuugi. Hope the expediency of this update suits you! I'll make an extra effort not to let so much time pass again... that was so embarrassing.
Sorceress MooNBlaDeR: *while hugging back* I will admit that 'oh dang it!' were not the first words I was expecting to hear upon updating. You confused me there for a moment! Now, you know I couldn't just come right out and tell you what happened to Yami! There would be no story if I did! And Jou was just an added bonus. Poor guy, he's always being used as a tool by me to show that something isn't right with Yuugi. But no worries, you get to find out what happens to Yami and Jou in this chapter. Happy now?? Good. I thought so. *salutes to the series tone* Will do! See ya next time!
Wolfspeaker1: *falls over from glomp, gets comfortable, stays down* Hiya! Gee, make me blush with all those praises! My goodness. Yes, I have missed your ego-inflating reviews! It's kinda funny the way people are reacting to my update, almost like I'm some giant reflecting disk that is blinding them.... I like it! Thanks for remembering me, and I hope you like this chapter as much as the last!
Seventh Sage: It is just so nice to see so many familiar people! Funny how being tired can make you hyper, isn't it? And yes.... blood.... you strange person, you. As for your guesses on Yuugi's behavior, though they are good, they aren't what I had in mind. It has more to do with the magic itself. Not the Shadows, mind you, just the magic. Heh, I say 'just'... I'll be getting into that more fully later on. Thanks for thinking on it though, and I hope you like this chapter!
Mel Gods: Quite easily, thank you! It's more fun to keep you guessing what happened rather than tell you straight out. For me, anyway. First off, I want to thank you for the depth of your review. It means a lot to me that you took the time to write it. On that note, it's always nice to find someone who doesn't think Yuugi is a wimp or, my personal pet peeve, when people only use the word 'cherubic' to describe him. Yes, I won't go any further on that one. Yuugi wasn't obsessed with the blood, per se, not really. It was more the magic and the spell that were interested in it, with Yuugi being their vessel. Though, Yuugi liking blood that much is an interesting idea.... And yes, you'll find out Yami's real name in this chapter. Now that I know what it is, I think I can have some fun with it. Glad to hear from you, and I'm looking forward to your next review!
metallicbubbles: I drove someone to insanity! My task here is done. Now, my next task is to bring you back to the world of the sane, so I may drive you out again. Yes, that sounds like fun! *tosses you a line* See you soon!
kylie: You are very very very very very very *takes a breath* very very very very welcome!
Promise: I'm glad you liked the chapter, and it wasn't meant to be confusing in regards to Yami. It was just what was happening to Yuugi, which of course means you don't know what's happening to Yami... yet. Scroll down and read to clear up your confusion! And about his wrist.... I'm not quite sure what to do about that. Yes, it's important and yes, I have some ideas. It will be explained eventually, once I figure it all out myself. Thanks for the support!
introspective-mortal: Gosh, I'm adored to pieces? *looks around at all the pieces on the floor, then realizes this is a very bad pun that can go nowhere, so starts over* Thank you so much! Glad you liked the chapter and that you got the chance to shout 'yay!' Thank you for sticking with me since the beginning!
Yaky: I bet you get this a lot, but I love your name! It made me think of the song 'Yakkity Yak' right off the bat, which is one of my favorite songs. Thanks for taking the time to let me know that you liked the chapter! I hope this next one meets your expectations!
Shi Tsukino: Well, at least you thought it was interesting, even if you had to wait so long for it to come. You poor thing. I almost feel sympathy for you. Hee, yeah, I know, that was an insufferable amount of time between updates. Thanks for the note about my other stories! It's always nice to hear that people like them as well. I hope you like my next story just as much. Looking forward to hearing from you again!
Abi2: I'm sorry, I have to laugh at how many people have shouted 'No!' in their reviews this time around. It means I have done something right. A good feeling! And don't give up on me! I may go through my dry spells, but I shall always return. *points wildly* Look! Your name! Your name! Happy now? ^_^
SoulDreamer: Glad you liked it! Thanks for reviewing!
Banjodog: Once there was a girl named Ocean. She was small, she was blonde, she loved to write. It took a long time, but she finally got the courage to post a story online. People liked her writing, and were very kind with their reviews. So Ocean kept writing. Chapter after chapter, the reviews kept coming. And then, one day, Ocean received a very special review. It didn't come until her fifth chapter, but the reviewer apologized for taking so long to find the story, and all was forgiven. An IM conversation soon followed, concerning an anime convention and the talk of a story this mysterious person has yet to write. Ocean had made a new friend. A dog. A Banjodog, to be exact. And thus, a friendship was born. After much talk, it became obvious that three little words were all that were needed to inspire Ocean to write. So now, in honor of those three little words, here is the next chapter for Banjodog. And those three little words? Well, that is something to be shared between Banjodog and Ocean for all time. Oh, Ocean does have a message for Banjodog, though. "One must be careful, for the sock is a dangerous enemy." And now, finally, Banjodog is free to read the next chapter Ocean has written.
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Fly Away Home
By Ocean
Chapter Fifteen: Promise
Two bodies laid twisted on the floor, chests heaving with the arduous task of pulling air into strained lungs.
Yuugi groaned as he brought a hand to his head, hissing in pain as his fingers brushed across a rather tender spot that had collided with the frame of his bed. Pulling his fingers away, he guided his hand through his hair and to his eyes, shielding them from the harsh light that poured through his bedroom's window.
His mind was thick and sluggish, similar to the state he had been in the first time he had returned from the Shadow Realm. He was slightly less affected by the sudden transition from a world of darkness and silence to a world full of sound and light and color, but not much.
Moving his hand from his eyes, Yuugi forced himself to look at the world. He inclined his head so he could better see Jou, whose body was laying heavily on top of his own. Much to Yuugi's relief, Jou was still breathing, albeit unconscious, but at least he was alive.
The puzzle rolled gracelessly from Yuugi's fingers as he pushed himself into a sitting position, balancing Jou against his chest as he braced his back against his bed. He took a deep sigh before laying Jou gently on the carpet, arranging him in what he hoped was a comfortable position. Yuugi blinked wearily after completing his task, finally closing his eyes as his mind finished readjusting itself to the real world.
A small whimper made its way to Yuugi's ears, and his eyes snapped open as his whole body fell sharply towards the sound. He stared wide-eyed at the image in front of him, his heart aching as he was made suddenly aware of Yami's dilemma.
Yami was being pinned fully against the bedroom wall, his left hand pressed against the wall as the officer's free hand clasped roughly against his throat, his right hand fisting as it mirrored the position of its partner. He posture still exuded fatigue, his legs appearing to be barely able to support the little weight he placed on them. His eyes were closed half way and his head was tossing from side to side, jerking in almost the same manner as it had before Yuugi had completed the puzzle.
Yuugi flinched as the officer pulled Yami just off the wall before slamming him against the abrasive surface again, jarring Yami's wrist and hitting the back of his head. Yami's features clenched in pain and a small gasp escaped his lips. His breath was shallow and rapid and his skin flushed with the effort of resistance.
Yuugi's head began to shake back and forth slowly in disbelief. He understood now that the officer was acting as a vessel for the Shadows, a corporeal conduit that allowed them to interact directly with the real world. The eyes of the man continued to cycle through the endless mass of color as the Shadows demonstrated their anger and agitation toward their son.
Random sounds continued to spill from Yami, and each whimper, each moan, each crooning plea penetrated straight to Yuugi's heart, piling upon each other and weighing him down. Were the Shadows really so powerful? Yuugi absently chewed on his lower lip, worry etching his brow as he tried to understand what it was the Shadows were doing to Yami.
He was also trying to understand his own emotions. The memories of his actions in the Shadow Realm disturbed him to no end, were even on the verge of frightening him. He had been so angry, though, as he thought on it now, he couldn't remember what it had been that had birthed the strong emotion. His aggressive nature, his absolute confidence, his cockiness... that was so unlike him. So unlike him.
Actually, maybe it wasn't as unlike him as Yuugi wanted to believe.
There was one area in his life where Yuugi was extremely aggressive and confident and assured of his own actions. His loved ones. If, at any time, the honor of a person fortunate enough to call himself Yuugi's friend was threatened, Yuugi's personality did change into that which was exhibited in the Shadow Realm. And it was during these times, and only these times, that Yuugi ever felt... free.
Yuugi was drawn away from his self-reflection as he watched the hand on Yami's throat loosen enough so that the short fingers could pull themselves carefully across the honeyed skin of Yami's cheek. Yuugi's eyes immediately narrowed and his lips drew taut against his teeth. How dare the Shadows touch Yami in such an affection manner after causing him so much pain. Yami tried to pull away from the touch, but whatever it was that had gripped his mind refused to let go long enough for him to employ even so simple an action.
Forcing himself to his feet, Yuugi prepared to throw himself into the officer and knock the Shadows away from Yami, hopefully freeing him in the process. He was only able to take a couple of steps before the Shadows turned the head of the body they now possessed and glared at him, snarling at the fact that not only was he still alive, but that he was here, in the real world. With a snap of the man's head, a great and invisible wall sprang to life in front of Yuugi. Not having time to stop his charge, Yuugi was forced to bring his arms forward to shield him from the impact.
The Shadows, content for the moment that Yuugi could cause no further disruptions for them, turned their attention back onto Yami, the harshness of their light diminishing as they gazed upon their son. They did not enjoy hurting Yami, and had already gone to great lengths to try and not harm him, but he was simply leaving them no other choice. He refused to listen to them, to heed their warnings, and so, this was the method they were left with. The method of memory, as painful as it was.
"Yami?" Yuugi whispered as he pressed himself against the invisible barrier, his eyes tearing as he watched his lover struggle against an unseen enemy. He was no longer aware of his room. He was no longer aware of previous events, or the fact that Jou was stirring slightly behind him. He was unaware of the large officer that held Yami so forcefully against the wall. "Yami?!" he called, a little louder than before, a little more desperate, his emotions sinking into his throat, not allowing his voice to pass.
All Yuugi could see was Yami. His cotton soft hair splayed across the wall as his head was pressed further against the hard surface. The gorgeous eyes that were hidden behind long lashes that were lowered as brows furrowed in confusion and distress. The soft and shapely lips that were so full of passion and flavor. The hands that were pinned beside his head, the position bringing to the surface fond memories of tender embraces and trustful caresses. The hand that held his so confidently, with such warmth and promise. The hand that was used to demonstrate to Yuugi exactly how much Yami loved him...
A couple of pain-filled tears managed to escape from the corner of Yuugi's eyes as he closed them tightly against the raging current of emotions that swelled within him. His hands curled into fists by his face, pulling back and hitting the barrier softly in pure futility. He felt so utterly helpless. In his overwhelming sorrow, words began to spill from Yuugi's lips, his anger and desperation forcing away the blockage in his throat so his voice held every ounce of command and intensity that was fused in his core.
"Damn it, Atemu!" Yuugi shouted as he slammed his fists against the barrier, his body trembling.
The Shadows instantly turned their attention to Yuugi, a look of complete shock on the face of the man. Yami, however, did not react openly to the outburst.
"Don't you dare abandon everything we have!" Yuugi continued to shout, his eyes barely open in a seething glare that was directed at Yami. "Don't you dare! You are far too important to me to simply fade away because they appeared! You are stronger than that! You are better than that! And if you so much as flinch in front of them I swear to you I will kill you myself!
"ATEMU, DON'T YOU LET THEM TAKE YOU AWAY FROM ME!"
The officer actually recoiled at the raw energy of Yuugi's voice, the color of his eyes swirling in a sweltering confusion as the Shadows tried to comprehend the intensity of Yuugi's actions. Though they couldn't understand what the child was saying, they understood his tone. They understood the volume of his voice. And they understood a single word... Atemu. Just how did Yuugi know that name?!
Yami began to stir against the hands that held him against the wall, groaning as his mind tried to focus on the familiar voice that soothed his troubled senses, even at its volume. He felt something kick, something deep down and buried under years of dust and soot. But it was having trouble shaking itself clean, of freeing itself from the oppressive weight of time and memory.
The Shadows turned their attention to Yami, a small panic enveloping them as they recognized Yami's struggles as signs of him breaking free of their spell. They tightened their grip on Yami's wrist, nervous that this time, Yami did not react to the pain they inflicted. Yuugi noticed this as well, hope burning within him as he realized that Yami was listening to him.
"That's it, love, fight them!" Yuugi encouraged as the Shadows grabbed Yami's right wrist and twisted both his arms painfully behind his back, leaving his head to lull forward against his chest. Yami's eyelids continued to twitch with his efforts to reclaim his consciousness, and his brows furrowed with unbridled anticipation.
"Hri!" the Shadows spat at Yuugi, the voice of their host dry and ragged with unpracticed skill.
"I will not be quiet!" Yuugi shouted back defiantly, knowing that the Shadows were hoping that by silencing him, Yami would not be able to fight back against them. He swallowed thickly, his throat sore, his mouth dry from his efforts. He took a deep breath to calm himself, his eyelids and his tone lowering as he continued to speak to Yami. Any random words would do, just so long as Yami could hear his voice.
"Gods you're beautiful, Atemu. I don't think you realize just how breathtaking you are. Sure, I know modesty isn't your strong suit—"
"Hri!"
"—but I think you use it as a guise, sometimes. As a shield. You're trying to protect yourself, not let anyone know that you aren't solid stone inside. But you don't have to be, Atemu." Yuugi's voice dropped to a whisper. "You don't have to be."
As Yuugi continued to speak, Yami continued to struggle against the Shadows, using Yuugi's voice as a lifeline to pull himself back from the depths of hellish memories that the Shadows had plunged him into. The Shadows weren't sure what to do. They were torn between killing Yuugi outright, at which point their son would be free to retaliate against them. Or, they could focus their attention on their son, which would leave Yuugi free to continue seducing Yami away from them and towards the mortal world.
A cheeky grin decorated Yuugi's lips as he blinked slowly, his sharp blue-violet eyes noticing the victory that was soon at hand. "Of course, whether you are pretending or not..." Yuugi let the thought trail for a moment, his eyes glinting mischievously as he stared down the menacing gaze of the Shadows, catching movement out of the corner of his eye.
"You're still sexy as hell."
Yami's head slowly pulled itself upright, his eyes opening in just as slow a manner. A snarl curled his delicate lips as the growl that purred from his throat drew the attention of the Shadows. Yuugi's grin deepened as he watched his love in all his deadly and sensual beauty, his hair dancing on similar currents that Yuugi's own had danced along not so long ago.
"Get'em, Atemu."
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Sugoroku grunted as he used the banister to help pull him up the stairs, two steps at a time. He was breathing hard as he pushed his body towards his grandson's room as fast as he was able, the sudden shouting and pounding alerting him to the trouble that was brewing.
He cursed himself for ever answering the door, for ever allowing the police officer to enter his home. He should have known that something wasn't right with the man, considering that every person in town was spending their time trying to leave Domino. The way the streets were jammed with cars, it was a wonder where the officer had even come from.
Finally making it to Yuugi's room, Sugoroku leaned against the door jam as he took a moment to assess the situation. His eyes first caught sight of Yuugi, who appeared to be leaning against... something, and who was staring intently across the room. Sugoroku followed his grandson's gaze, his eyes widening as he saw that Yami was roughly pinned against the wall, with the officer's back facing him.
Sugoroku did not like the look he saw on Yami's face, an almost insane gleam coating his eyes as he stared murderously at the officer. He noticed that Yami's arms were being held behind his back, but this only gave him the appearance of a cornered and very dangerous animal. Sugoroku decided he didn't want to look at that image any longer and turned his head back to Yuugi, just now noticing the tear stains that traced his cheeks.
It was at this point that Sugoroku noticed a head of blonde peaking up from behind the bed, followed shortly by Jou as he tried to haul himself onto Yuugi's bed. Sugoroku rushed over to his aid, sitting on the side of the bed and gripping Jou's arms as he helped to pull the young man onto the mattress, careful to avoid the golden artifacts that were still spread along the comforter.
Yuugi didn't even notice his grandfather enter the room as he continued to focus his attention on Yami. His breath had become slightly shallow as an uncharacteristically evil grin spread across his features. The barest hint of a flush colored his skin while his body shifted its weight, an outward sign to the writhing energy that was pulsing just beneath the surface of his being. Yuugi, for the moment, had forgotten the peril of his situation. All that concerned him now was how incredibly hot his Yami was.
Such a satisfying thrill.
The Shadows tightened their grip on Yami's arms, trying to use their force to pressure Yami into submission. They held his glare steadily, unaffected by the malice promised within those hardened eyes. It was most curious, this sudden change in their son's demeanor. It was also interesting that he was able to pull himself from the deep well of painful memories they had plunged him into. The Shadows didn't much appreciate that the simple sound of a mortal's voice had given their son the strength and motivation to fight so ruthlessly against them.
Yami's mind had clouded over into a new rag-inducing calm. There was a clarity around his thoughts that he had not felt in ages, and he embraced this feeling with open arms. He felt his confidence restored, his energy replenished, and his magic... oh, his magic was liquid fire that fueled his desire for revenge.
The Eye of Horus appeared suddenly and lavishly on Yami's forehead, flaring with all its glory as the magic pooled around Yami's lean body. Pencil thin wisps of midnight smoke began to encircle Yami's arms and legs with the gentleness of a long lost caress. An orange-red light with the fluidity of lava cascaded over the whites of Yami's eyes, their sheen becoming more radiant than a madly glowing ember.
Abruptly, Yami forced his arms from behind his back, breaking the grip the Shadows had on him. The officer housing the Shadows took a rough step backwards, his body crouching into a defensive position, preparing for the inevitable battle.
Only Yami wasn't in the mood for a long and drawn out confrontation. His muscles were bulging with an unearthly vigor, testing the skill of the seamstress who had crafted his shirt. With a deep throated growl, Yami spread his legs to brace himself and thrust both arms forward, the smoke encircling them jumping with excitement.
As Yami's arms came forward, the multitude of colors that were pulsing in the Eye of Horus melted down Yami's skin to blend with the sinewy smoke that was now spinning agitatedly around Yami's arms. The colors reached and danced intimately along the smoke until they reached the nimble fingers of Yami's hand, from which point they, along with the smoke, leapt forth straight towards the officer.
This time, it was the Shadows who didn't have a chance to react as the deadly attack shot clean through their human host, boring a hole through his chest and expanding outwards to engulf the body completely. A swirl of smoke and colorful light danced and twirled and jumped and twisted around the officer as Yami relaxed his posture and watched with a pretentiously curious smirk.
A feral scream was heard before the light and shadows vanished, leaving an empty nothingness where the officer's body had once stood. Yami snorted lightly at his achievement, an arrogant pride settling over him at his temporary banishment of the Shadows back to their realm. His eyes continued to glow with the lava's fury as he walked slowly to the spot where the officer had stood, his head tilting to the side in quiet inquiry.
Yuugi's excitement faltered with the cold execution of Yami's magic, the sensuality of the moment fading with the realization that Yami was not acting like himself. Or the Yami Yuugi had come to know. Yuugi blinked slowly at his own actions, a silent horror creeping behind him as his mind forced him to acknowledge the hate and vengeance and cold cruelty of his thoughts. A few more tears spilled from the corners of his brilliant eyes as he collapsed in on himself, the barrier having been broken upon the Shadows banishment.
He was scared. Scared of the harsh feelings that had consumed him. He didn't like such feelings, had spent his life trying to avoid them, had repressed his personality in hopes of saving himself and others from his anger. He was afraid that if he allowed himself to feel any emotion considered as negative that he might one day turn into his parents.
And that was something he never wanted to do.
Yami clucked his tongue in a bored fashion as he knelt to the floor, his fingertips just brushing the carpet before he stood again, swinging his arm in a vertical circle. A trail of light green shadows spilled from his fingers, far more viscous than their previous counterparts, making visible the circle Yami had traced through the air. Once he completed this action he spun lazy in place, creating another circle perpendicular to the first. He stood motionless in the cage of circles for a moment before flicking his wrist to the side, at which point the liquid shadows pulsed outwards, passing through body and wood, leaving no trace of their passing.
It was only then that Yami trailed his eyes across the room as he turned to check on the magics he had released. He noticed Sugoroku and Jou on the bed, but dismissed them quickly as he turned his eyes to the shuddering form on the floor. The touch of a smile tugged at his lips as the molten fire that still crowded his eyes brightened its richness. He walked softly over to Yuugi, bending before him and placing a hooked finger beneath his chin, lifting it playfully.
Yami flinched as he saw the anguished expression on Yuugi's face, not understanding why the tears had fallen from those beautiful eyes. Yuugi hugged his arms around his own stomach, trying to comfort himself as he looked into eyes he barely recognized.
"What's happened to us?" Yuugi whispered, his voice full of the pain he was feeling. "I don't understand. I don't understand what changed in you, and I don't understand what changed in me!"
Yami stood and backed away quickly, confusion and hurt filling his heart at the distraught cry of his lover. He inclined his head towards Yuugi, trying to understand what it was that had distressed him so.
Yuugi turned pleading eyes to Yami. As he spoke, he rose his hand to his chest and fisted it over his heart. "Don't you feel it? In here? This isn't how you and I are supposed to be, Atemu."
Yami took in a sharp breath as Yuugi spoke his name, turning his head sharply to the side in an effort to escape the feelings birthed from the word.
"'Atemu'?" Sugoroku asked Yuugi quietly, noting that Yami had flinched again at the word, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.
"Yeah," Yuugi answered, his voice and eyes softened at the sight of Yami's internal struggles. "His name. His real name, anyway."
Sugoroku continued to support Jou on the bed as he rolled this information around his mind, feeling it out as Yami took a couple more steps backwards towards the window. He wasn't going to question how Yuugi knew this. He had a feeling he didn't want to know the answer. He wasn't too sure that Yami was glad he knew either.
"Named after the god Annu, is he?" Sugoroku mused to himself.
"A god... yeah, it suits him. Perfectly," Yuugi breathed.
Yami closed his eyes as he took another step backwards towards the window that opened to the roof of the game shop. He just.... he just needed to breathe for a moment. He needed to distance himself.... yes, just needed to think clearly, away from.... away.
He turned abruptly and stepped out the window, walking quickly along the tiled roof until he came to its edge. The fire in his eyes subsided as he casually leapt off the roof and landed gently on the ground with a lightness and grace that betrayed the fact that he had just fallen from a two story building.
The ground beneath Yami's feet rippled like the waves of a pond upon his landing, the green hue of the magics absorbing his impact. Yami tapped his foot lightly against the deceptively solid surface, assuring himself that the magics were working properly, before gliding over to the green barrier that encased the game shop. The magics that had created the circles had spread into a protective shield that coated the ground and air of the residence, beginning at the sidewalk, leaving a fifteen foot radius around the building. No being of flesh or magic would be able to penetrate these walls for quite some time.
Yuugi stood quietly on the roof, having solemnly followed Yami out his bedroom window. His arms remained around his waist, the rolling motion of his clothes and hair by the wind the only signs of movement. Eyes darkened nearly to cobalt watched Yami's every move with quiet acceptance.
Yami trailed his fingers along the wall he had erected, unconcerned with their motions as his distracted mind began to wander. The anger within him was diminishing as the threat of the moment ebbed away. He sensed Yuugi on the roof watching him, but he wasn't ready yet to face him. A fact that Yuugi understood as he waited patiently.
It was... odd. Clarity was something Yami had always depended on, something he had always demanded. He hated confusion. It was a state of mind that only lead to trouble.
He wasn't confused now... not really. He had never been one to feign ignorance, though the thought was highly tempting. Yami was more frustrated than anything. A straining frustration that left him feeling tired and drained and very uncomfortable with himself. Which was another feeling to which he was unaccustomed.
Glancing back over his shoulder, Yami tried to relax into Yuugi's softened gaze. To answer Yuugi's earlier question, one that Yami didn't need to verbally understand, he did notice the difference in both himself and Yuugi. It was subtle, yes, but also drastic. He sighed softly, his eyes never blinking as he continued to watch Yuugi.
Yuugi never dreamed that it would be difficult to look upon his desert beauty. Never believed there would be a time that even the thought of turning away from those bejeweled eyes would cross his mind. The feelings laid hard and sour in his stomach.
A small understanding passed between them, the language of the heart communicating that both understood that things had changed. That they had changed. Yuugi closed his eyes and lowered his head to his chest slowly, pausing a moment, raising his hand to lay flat over his heart, before opening his eyes and looking at Yami again.
Yami repeated the gesture once Yuugi was looking at him, strengthening the silent promise that was being made between them by keeping his head lowered for a longer amount of time. At some point in time, Yami never would have humbled himself in such a fashion. But now, this one gesture shared between him and his lover strengthened his will and conviction and promise to love Yuugi to the best of his ability.
The best of his ability.
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Translation:
Atemu: myth name (great god of Annu) and from what I have come to understand, is Yami's true name in the manga.
Hri (sgr) – quiet, be