CHAPTER TEN

- (18:40) shifts around uncomfortably on his stool, "game over" music plays on Gameboy

- (18:46) loses another game

- (18:53) hops off stool and goes into the kitchen without a single word or glance

Yami sighed and dropped his pen on the counter without bothering to cap it. Yuugi had been avoiding him for the whole day, or rather, for the past two weeks, and Yami found his heart skipping a beat every time Yuugi turned away.

"Yami?" Grandpa interrupted, coming through the kitchen door. "Could you do me a big favor?"

"Sure," Yami replied casually. "What is it?"

Grandpa glanced around the shop before continuing. "I need to finish some business tonight, so can you stay a few extra hours? Maybe make a snack with Yuugi to keep you guys full until I return? I'll be home around nine-thirty, but I want you to make sure nothing happens to the shop… or Yuugi." He whispered his grandson's name, and as he did so, Yami thought he saw a flicker of sorrow pass through the old man's eyes. For the first time, Yami noticed his eyes were violet, almost the same color as his grandson's.

Yami nodded respectfully. "Yes, sir."

Giving Yami a smile and a pat on the back, the old man pulled on his jacket and left the house, the bells on the door handle jingling as he closed the door behind him.

As Yami was trying to decide whether or not to join Yuugi in the kitchen, the lovely face appeared at the door, followed by a plate of sushi. "I made sushi for us," Yuugi said softly, his shy voice making Yami dizzy with warmth. "Are you hungry?"

Yami smiled as kindly as he possibly could, hoping Yuugi wouldn't notice his slight blush. "Was that an invitation?" He almost laughed aloud as Yuugi's cheeks glowed bright red, cursing himself for taking such pleasure in humiliating the boy. Without hesitating, he flipped the "Open" sign and followed Yuugi into the kitchen, finding an even bigger plate of sushi on the table.

"That's for you," Yuugi said, nodding at the plate. "I hope you like shrimp and cucumbers. We had nothing else in the fridge…" He sounded almost guilty as they sat down across from each other, lowering his eyes and picking up his chopsticks, concentrating hard on his sushi.

"I love shrimp and cucumbers," Yami said, a little exaggerated, but he honestly didn't mind. How could he refuse something Yuugi made for him?

Yuugi's face noticeably relaxed as he skillfully held a piece of sushi between his chopsticks, dipping it into the plate of soy sauce in the center of the table. Yami fiddled around with his chopsticks, glancing at Yuugi's hand and adjusting his own position. A sweet giggle made its way to his ears.

"Sorry," Yuugi muttered, hiding his smile as Yami looked up. "Would you like a fork?" To his surprise, Yami shook his head and laughed.

"It's all right," Yami said. "I'll have to learn how to use these things, eventually. Could you… teach me?"

Yuugi nodded wordlessly, his eyes widening slightly as Yami leaned across the table to get a better view of his hand. "Um… you hold one chopstick against your middle finger and the other on your ring finger… and…" He swallowed, reaching his hand out, deciding to show Yami instead. "Like that… and you can move your fingers apart to… pick up the sushi…" Yami's face was only inches away, and Yuugi suddenly felt as if he were about to fall off his chair.

"Am I holding it correctly?" Yami asked, playfully moving the chopsticks up and down.

"Yes," Yuugi barely managed to whisper, releasing his breath as Yami back away into his seat. "Y-You're a fast learner."

"You're a good teacher," Yami replied, picking up a piece of sushi and dipping it into the soy sauce the same way Yuugi had done, popping it into his mouth. In the corner of his eye, he could see Yuugi watching him bashfully. "You also make the best pancakes and the best sushi." He raised his eyebrows amusedly as Yuugi cupped his cheeks with his hands, trying to conceal his blush.

Yuugi focused his attention on Yami's chopsticks, pretending he didn't notice Yami's gaze. "Thank you," he murmured.

"Well, aren't you going to have some of your own sushi?" Yami asked, keeping his expertly straight expression as the boy reluctantly drew his hands from his face and reached for his chopsticks, revealing the rosy cheeks.

Yuugi could feel his heart pounding wildly as he picked up the next piece of sushi. But just as he was about to dip it into the soy sauce, he heard the familiar clinking of chopsticks, looking up to see Yami's surprised face. Terrified, he dropped his sushi into the soy sauce, hearing a little splash as the dark liquid sprinkled the tablecloth.

Yami immediately drew his hand back.

"I'm so sorry," Yuugi apologized helplessly. "I didn't realized you were reaching for…" He silenced himself as he lifted the sushi from the small plate.

Unsure of whether to laugh or cry, Yami watched as the dripping sushi disappeared between the perfect lips.

It was silent for a long time before Yuugi stood up and cleaned off his plate. "I'll be in the shop," he said, feeling the blood rise to his cheeks again as his eyes landed on Yami's handsome questioning face. "Take your time."

"You haven't even finished your sushi. You're not hungry?" Yami's heart dropped as Yuugi shook his head and left the room. He wasn't feeling too hungry himself, but he finished his plate anyway.

- - -

Yuugi was playing chess with himself when Yami came back into the shop, tracing the white knight with his finger, not bothering to look up from the game. Yami returned to his corner of the shop, feeling downhearted.

Glancing sideways, Yuugi could see Yami writing something in his notebook. He always looks so sad… I wish I could make you happy, Yami… He stared at the chessboard, running his finger down the black king, completely lost in his own thoughts. Suddenly, he spun around and found Yami standing behind him, his arms casually folded.

"Do you want to play a game?" the deep voice asked, crimson eyes never leaving the black piece Yuugi was holding.

Yuugi shivered delightfully at the words. "Okay," he whispered, rearranging the chessboard. His head was beginning to feel light again as Yami pulled up his stool to sit next to him. "Black or white?"

"Black," Yami replied, almost immediately.

Swallowing his panic, Yuugi made his first move with trembling fingers. It was amazing, how Yami's mere presence could do this to him, frighten and excite him so much at the same time. No… don't pass out…

Yami mirrored his move, a slight smirk gracing his features.

Cold sweat began to form on Yuugi's palm as he reached forward and moved out his knight.

"Do you like chess?" Yami asked, as he moved his pawn forward. "Or is it just something you do when you're bored?"

"I… I like it," Yuugi stuttered, moving his other pawn two squares, nearly falling off his stool as their eyes met. His heart fluttered as he automatically took in Yami's face: smooth bronze skin, high cheekbones, straight nose, full dark lips, and back to the deep crimson eyes topped with elegant eyebrows. The world suddenly stopped spinning as Yami gave him a genuine smile.

The game continued, and soon, it became obvious Yami was in the lead. But something was bothering Yami. Could Yuugi be losing on purpose? For five moves in a row, Yuugi could have captured his piece without putting his own in danger. Cautiously, Yami reached forward and brushed aside a strand of blond hair from the porcelain face.

"Why didn't you capture my rook?" he asked gently.

Yuugi froze, pretending to not have heard, concentrating on his move. But the hand continued to stroke his hair, occasionally brushing lightly against the side of his face. He held his breath, not knowing whether he wanted the hand to leave him alone or to stay. Feeling the remainder of his sanity slip away, he dropped the chess piece he was holding onto the counter, closing his eyes, hoping it was all a very pleasant dream. Oh, Yami, I'm madly in love…

Suddenly, he felt Yami's arm circle firmly around his waist, pulling them both behind the counter, several chess pieces toppling off the board and rolling onto the floor. His eyes grew wide and he opened his mouth to gasp, but found it muffled by Yami's hand.

"Shhh…" Yami breathed, pressing their bodies tightly together. "There's someone coming."

Yuugi could now hear unfamiliar heavy footsteps entering the shop. The bells on the door handle jingled loudly. Instinctively, he clung to Yami's school uniform with one hand and wrapped his other arm around Yami's neck, pulling the taller boy into a close embrace. As Yami warmly returned the embrace, Yuugi found his breath again. But his heart was pounding so fast, he could hardly feel it beating at all. Was it because of the intruder? Or was it because of the intimate position he was currently in? Most likely the second choice.

The footsteps came to a stop and the clicking of a gun echoed the quiet room. Yuugi felt Yami stiffen slightly in alarm, but the arm around his waist squeezed him reassuringly. A gruff voice cut through the strained silence.

"Show yourselves."

- - -

Note: Ooooooooooh, the corniness. I think I'm gonna die of laughter. That was the crappiest cliffhanger ever. Hahaha. Anyway, more fluff and romance in the next chapter. Whee! Yami is such a little flirt. Poor Yuugi.

Yami: *strokes Yuugi's hair*

Yuugi: *blushes madly*

Yami: *loosely wraps arm around Yuugi's shoulder*

Yuugi: *looks away, still blushing*

Yami: *pokes Yuugi's butt*

Yuugi: *squeak*

Lanlan: WHAT DID YOU DO THIS TIME, YAMI???

Yami: *whistles*

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