Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh.

Chapter 8

"Mokuba was right? What does that mean?" I asked, slightly annoyed. I was beginning to think the mutt was just wasting my time, as usual.

"When he said Yami betrayed Otogi… Well, Otogi at least thinks he did. Haven't you wondered why Otogi doesn't associate with the rest of us anymore?"

"I have better things to wonder about than the status of your little social circle," I replied dryly, and Jounouchi scowled at me impatiently.

"Shut up, Kaiba. I'm trying to make a point here," he growled.

"Then make it already, and stop wasting my time."

"Kaiba!" Jounouchi grunted warningly, but continued before I could make a smug retort. "Anyway, Otogi had serious feelings for Yami- or at least he thought he did; I think it was more of a hero-worship type thing, but Yami was pining over that guy. By the way, I haven't seen him this happy since we worked out Yugi's school tuition…though he wasn't really happy then; he was just happy for Yugi…"

"WILL YOU GET ON WITH IT!" I shouted, completely losing my patience with his stupid rambling.

"Whatever, Kaiba," Jounouchi grumbled. At least he didn't try to hit me; he had matured slightly- very slightly –since high school. "Well, Otogi knew, as everyone did, that Yami was pining over someone who'd broken his heart…or just didn't love him back- or maybe he'd never told him how he felt and was too afraid to try…" Seeing my furious glare, the mutt hurriedly went back to his story. "So, Otogi got it in his head that Yami was in love with him, and he… went after Yami. I don't know exactly what happened, but apparently the only way for Yami to convince Otogi that he was wrong was for Yami to tell Otogi who he was really in love with. Yami came to me crying afterwards, he was so upset; but he still didn't tell me his secret- and I don't know why Otogi hasn't said anything, either. He must have reasons of his own."

Jounouchi shook his head sadly as he finished this strange story, and I mulled thoughtfully over what I'd heard. Something still didn't make sense…

"But why isn't Otogi your friend anymore?" I asked.

"He was really, really angry when Yami rejected him. I guess he couldn't stand to be around any of us anymore, since we were Yami's friends. Or, like I said, he has reasons of his own that we don't know about."

I nodded solemnly and silently strode past him to fetch my brother from inside the game shop. Before I opened the door, however, I paused, not looking at Jounouchi. "Why did you tell me this?" I asked quietly.

"I thought you should know, because…because you care about him," Jounouchi replied softly.

I nodded once more. "Thank you."

Monday afternoon, promptly at six o'clock, I parked in front of the café where Yami worked. He leaned casually against the side of the building, but I knew he was waiting for me. We hadn't spoken since Saturday evening, so my heart thudded nervously against my ribs as Yami strode confidently to my car and opened the passenger's side door.

He smiled broadly at me and my heart lurched one last time before falling back into its normal pace.

"How did you know I'd be here?" I asked softly.

Yami merely shrugged and grinned wider as he fastened his seat belt. We rode in silence, as usual, until I parked on the curb in front of his apartment, and I automatically checked the streets. No one was around, though that streetlight was still broken… I glanced at Yami; I would have liked to walk him upstairs, just to make sure he was safe, but after his strange reaction on Saturday I wasn't sure he would want me there.

Yami bit his lip, watching me thoughtfully. "Do…do you want to come up?" he asked hesitantly.

In reply, I silently opened my door, though I smiled inwardly.

We walked up the stairs side-by-side, close enough for me to feel the warmth from Yami's arm against mine- a comforting, familiar sensation. For the first time since Yami slammed the door in my face I felt relaxed, and I smiled softly at Yami as he unlocked the door to his apartment. Yami reddened, though he gave me an answering smile.

I sat on his slightly worn blue sofa without being asked, and Yami plopped tiredly beside me. He tugged his boots from his feet and kicked them across the room, giving me a repentant grin. "Sorry, my feet are a little sore," he explained.

"Because you're on them all day at that restaurant. Why don't you quit and come work for me? I'll pay you better, and you won't have to stand all day."

"Kaiba, I said no- about a hundred times now," Yami groaned. But he smiled. Then he yawned widely and surprised me a little by leaning lazily against my side and resting his head against my shoulder. "You're right, though- it is tiring to be on your feet all day," he admitted, closing his eyes. His long, black eyelashes fluttered against his pale cheeks, and another wide yawn stretched his thin features.

I did what any sane person would do in this situation. I put my arm around him.

That odd, twisted smile briefly crossed Yami's face, but he didn't open his eyes, and I focused on not reacting to the warm breath that gusted across my throat as Yami rested his head in the crook of my shoulder. Yami made a soft, almost indistinguishable sound in the back of his throat, and I instinctively tightened my grip on him, drawing him ever-so-slightly closer to me. He made that soft sound once more before his eyelashes fluttered and he relaxed completely against me.

I watched Yami's pale, thin features smooth as he slipped into a light doze, and his breath gusted across my neck more regularly. He shifted slightly and his thick blond bangs slid down one cheek. Cautiously, I brushed them back, gently tucking them behind one ear, and softly traced his jaw as I slowly drew my hand away. Yami smiled in his sleep at my touch.

My stomach suddenly flopped crazily.

What was I doing? This wasn't normal…was it? Mokuba and his friends certainly never… But somehow, it still felt right; felt wonderful to be this close to Yami, and I dreaded the moment he would wake, because I knew I'd have to let him go. I'd admitted I cared about him… God, I cared about him so much. Even the mutt could see it. Yami probably meant more to me than anyone else in the world, except Mokuba- though that was different.

But Yami didn't feel the same way. He had Yugi, not to mention the hordes of cheerleaders that he called friends- and his mysterious lover. I gently drew Yami closer to my chest, careful not to wake him, and wrapped my other arm around him even as my heart sank. I wished I knew who Yami loved enough to mourn over so horribly for two entire years. The answer, I was sure, lay in a cardboard box under Yami's bed, but I would never violate his privacy that way. That only left me one option.

I'd have to talk to Otogi.

For two long hours I held Yami in my arms, memorizing the way his slim body fit against mine and the feel of the soft breeze of his breath against my skin. I listened to the quiet pounding of his heart, so agonizingly close to my own, and sat perfectly still, not daring to move lest I wake him and end this torturous closeness.

Eventually, however, he awoke on his own. I felt his body suddenly tense, and I knew he had slipped back into reality. But, I didn't want to embarrass him- or let him know exactly what I'd been doing –so I closed my eyes and feigned sleep.

Yami stirred in my arms, and I heard him gasp softly when he realized his position. "Seto?" he whispered softly, but I sat motionless, still pretending to doze. Yami gently lifted my arm and quietly slipped from my grasp, but before he slid away he lifted a shaky hand and hesitantly ran his fingers through my hair and across my cheek. I could feel his slender fingers tremble as he touched my face, and it was all I could do not to open my eyes, just to examine his expression.

Yami dropped his hand and backed away a little farther, then softly called my name once more. "Seto. Seto, you need to wake up; Mokuba will be wondering where you are."

I cracked open one eye, pretending to give him a sleepy glare. "I don't care. I'm comfortable here," I muttered.

He smiled benevolently. "You need to go home. You'll be a lot more comfortable in your own bed than sleeping on my couch."

"I'd rather stay here with you," I replied, perfectly serious, though I was still pretending to be half-asleep.

A rosy blush colored his cheeks and he grinned wider, but he shook his head. "Don't be silly, Seto. You should really go home."

"Then come with me." I opened my eyes fully and sat upright, staring at him. Yami's wild crimson eyes widened almost imperceptibly before he rolled them and shook his head indulgently once again.

"Seto, I'm already home," he answered dryly. "There's not much point…"

"I don't care." Suddenly I dropped the half-asleep act and let him see I was serious, pushing reservations from my mind. I didn't want to leave him; I couldn't, not now that I'd been so close, that I'd held him in my arms for so long. I just couldn't.

"But Seto…"

"Please?" I murmured softly, still staring avidly at him.

"Why?" he whispered, dropping his gaze to the floor.

I tried to think of a legitimate reason other than 'I've suddenly become obsessed with you.'

"I…I'm worried. I don't like this place; someone could break in."

He smiled softly. "Seto, I've lived here for months and nothing has happened," Yami replied.

"Humor me," I retorted dryly, finally sounding vaguely like my old self, and Yami eventually nodded.

"Alright, then. Let me pack a few things so you won't have to take me home early in the morning- and I won't have to wear those horrid pajamas," he said, making a disgusted face.

I smirked wickedly, but Yami just ignored me and vanished into his bedroom. Once he was gone, my smirk turned into a satisfied grin, thankful I could keep him near me just a little longer.

Tiredly I drained the last dregs from my third cup of coffee. It had been a sleepless night.

After Yami and I had arrived (and calmed a hysterical Mokuba, who was more than a little angry at me for disappearing for so long after work), Yami went straight to bed in one of the guest bedrooms- the room right beside mine. Before he went to bed, however, he gave me a friendly hug, saying how grateful he was that I cared enough to worry about him.

I spent the rest of the night pathetically staring at the wall that connected our rooms.

About 5:00 A.M. I gave up on my staring and came downstairs to drink enough coffee to keep me sane. Now, an hour later, I still slowly sipped on my coffee but I didn't feel quite sane yet. Yami continued to monopolize my thoughts. Sighing to myself, I picked up the cell phone I always carried with me and left a message on my secretary's voice mail telling her I wouldn't be in today.

I knew I wouldn't be able to accomplish anything.

"Good morning, Seto," Yami called cheerfully as he strode into the kitchen, though he yawned drowsily. "Sleep well?"

"Well enough," I replied darkly.

"Yes, so did I. I have to admit, that bed is a lot more comfortable than mine," Yami said, giving me a lopsided grin.

The corners of my mouth twitched upward in spite of myself as I observed him. He'd already changed into his work clothes- a long-sleeved white button-up shirt tucked into black pants, and he wore his studded belt and boots as well. It definitely looked nice…

"What time are you leaving for work? Can you give me a ride, or do I need to get someone else?" Yami asked as he busied himself in the refrigerator. I stared at the back of his head for a long moment before I finally replied.

"I'm not going in today; I have some personal business to take care of. But of course I'll take you to work," I told him. He glanced at me briefly, giving me another brilliant white smile before he nodded in acceptance, and we sat at the table together for a few moments in peaceful silence.

Yami sat directly across from me, and as I subtly observed the way his bangs fell across his eyes as he bent over his breakfast, I found myself wishing desperately that I could sit beside him, just so that I could feel the warmth of his body once more. I could still vividly recall exactly the way his slim form fit against mine, and my heart leapt painfully at the memory. Just then, Yami reached for the newspaper, and I found my excuse.

As he read the front page, his brow furrowing ever-so-slightly, I stood up and moved to the chair beside him, scooting it closer under the pretext of reading over his shoulder. Yami glanced up at the movement, but merely rolled his eyes and smiled, sliding the paper closer so I could read more easily.

I still wasn't close enough. This strange new obsession I had with Yami wouldn't be satiated with merely sitting beside him, so I scooted even closer, until our shoulders touched.

"Can you not see?" Yami asked simply, glancing up at me.

I could, of course. The paper was about a foot away from me.

I shook my head, and Yami slid the paper even closer- and slid his chair closer against mine. Now his thigh rested against mine, and our arms touched from shoulder to elbow. Yami bent his head slightly over the newspaper as he continued to read, but I was too busy trying to calm my pounding heart to pay any attention to the words on the page. At least my obsession/addiction was satiated…almost.

I put my arm around the back of Yami's chair.

As I rested my arm across his shoulders, Yami instinctively leaned closer to me, so that we were almost as close as we had been the day before, and I gulped. I had thought this proximity would be enough, but instead I felt a hundred times worse. It took every ounce of my strength and self-control to remain still, since if I had my way I would pull Yami into my arms and hold him against me tightly and then…then…do…something.

What was happening to me?

Mokuba's boisterous footsteps sounded in the hallway and I reluctantly dropped my arm and moved away from Yami. He glanced up at me with a clouded, almost regretful expression in his scarlet eyes as I returned to the chair across the table.

I wished I knew what he was thinking.

In spite of my love for technology, I found him the old-fashioned way. I looked up "Otogi" in the phone book.

After I drove Yami to work and Mokuba to school, I decided to attend to my "personal business," i.e. finding Otogi and getting some answers. Luckily for me, since I couldn't remember his first name, there were only two Otogis in the phone book- Ryuuji and Betty Mae.

I took a wild guess that it wasn't the latter.

When I parked in front of the right address- a large brick house with a spacious, well-kept lawn –I felt a prickle of nervousness run down my spine. I had no way of knowing if Otogi would even tell me the truth; since he had no reason to help me, after all, but I had to try. For whatever strange reason that had drawn me to Yami in the first place, I knew I wouldn't be satisfied until I knew the cause of Yami's pain.

And punished him accordingly.

I rang the doorbell, pleased to note its subdued tone, not at all like the annoyingly cheery little bell above the Game Shop; then cursed myself mentally for caring about something so ridiculous. Otogi opened the door after a moment, his thick black hair hanging loosely over his shoulders as he rubbed his eyes sleepily. I noticed that he still wore the cotton sweatpants and T-shirt he must have slept in, and I suddenly felt rather awkward.

"What do you want, Kaiba? It's eight-thirty in the morning," he grumbled.

"Yes, and most people are at work already," I retorted, glaring at him.

"I don't see why," Otogi replied, giving me a sarcastic grin. "They should just invent a game and live off its profits. Then they'd be able to sleep as late as they wanted; unless rude CEOs came to their houses and woke them up, of course." With this, Otogi made a vague gesture toward the door and I followed him inside warily. He was being uncharacteristically nice- even though our last encounter was far from friendly.

He must want something.

"So, why are you here?" Otogi asked bluntly after I sat on his expensive black leather sofa. He reclined lazily in a matching chair and eyed me curiously. "It's about Yami, isn't it." That wasn't a question.

"Yes. I want to know what you know."

"What makes you think I know anything you don't?" Otogi examined his nails with a disinterested air. "After all, I would think it would be obvious, especially to you."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I snapped, shooting him my iciest blue glare.

"Why don't you have a look in that box and tell me yourself?"

At this, my eyes widened and I couldn't hide the look of incredulous shock that spread across my features. "Yes, Yami showed me his little 'treasure chest,' full of sappy memorabilia about the 'love of his life,'" Otogi continued sarcastically. "I think he wanted to find the cruelest possible way to break my heart. Not that I'm still in mourning, however, unlike Yami. He's made it pretty clear that he'll never get over that guy…"

Otogi trailed off, shaking his head in mock sympathy, and I felt my heart sink. He apparently wasn't planning on telling me anything, plus Otogi had given me a cruelly painful reminder that Yami was in love with someone else. Wait…someone else? What did I mean by that? And…why did my chest hurt so much?

Suddenly needing to escape, I rose from the couch in one smooth, fluid motion; glaring fiercely at Otogi, who merely observed me solemnly from his chair. "I think I can find my way out," I told him icily, and swept out the door.

Hopefully he missed the tears that were threatening to fall as I rushed past him.

Review! Thanks to everyone who already has, but I'm greedy and I want more. So review!