Going back to the apartment with Yugi was one of the harder decisions to make on Yami's part. He didn't want to bring his young love just in case Nile was there and still in as bad of a mood as in the parking lot. Yugi insisted he go though and even promised to run to all heavens if Nile was there and still angry.

Upon arriving at the apartment, however, both boys were entirely surprised. The place was deserted of not only Nile, but Corrine and Emerald as well. The only clue that gave way to them being there was a sheet of paper on the table, a note written on it.

Cautiously, as though it would burst up in flames any moment, Yami approached the table and picked up the letter, reading it with a crease between his brow. Yugi, reading over his shoulder, placed his hands on Yami's arms to help him balance on his toes, being careful not to bring the older off balance.

Yugi,

Thank you so much for all your help and allowing myself and Emerald to stay here.

I'm happy to say that I managed to convince Nile not to wait for Yami or yourself to return. He was rather upset when he returned, after all. I can't promise for him to stay away though.

Corrine

Yugi allowed a small smile to cross his lips and closed his eyes, leaning comfortably against Yami and wrapping his arms around his waist loosely. "I'd say today has been a very long and trying day."

Yami made a noise of agreement and dropped the paper back on the table to put his own hands over Yugi's.

"I'll bet you're really tired too."

Again, another noise.

"Why don't you go to bed? I'll call your work and try getting you out of trouble."

After another noise of agreement from Yami, the older pulled away from Yugi to stumble down the hall tiredly, heading for the bedroom. Yugi watched him go before turned to the phone and dialing the number for the restaurant.

The boss he was talking to was nothing short of aggravating for Yugi. The man couldn't seem to understand how family problems could prevent Yami from calling into work or showing up on time. He was just about to hang up on the guy when the boss finally caved in and said he'd ignore the incident.

Yugi was a second short of slamming the phone back on the cradle when the dial tone clicked, but remember Yami trying to sleep and, instead, carefully placed the receiver down where it belonged. "Sheesh, how infuriating," he grumbled. "How can Yami stand that jerk?"

Soft kisses placed along his neck and a chuckling caused goose-bumps to rise up on his arms and a shiver to run down his back.

"I don't like your boss," whined Yugi playfully, leaning back against the warm body and reaching his arms up to wrap awkwardly around the other's neck and to tangle his fingers in the soft hair.

"Neither does anyone else," Yami chuckled. "Come to bed now, love. You look exhausted." He pulled Yugi closer to him, resting his chin on the shorter teen's shoulder, his hands gripping Yugi's arms lightly.

Yugi didn't say anything, but, instead, took Yami's hand and dragged him with him to the bedroom.

"Are you trying to say something," the older teased.

"I just can't sleep right without you," Yugi admitted, "As you obviously witnessed back at the – "

Yugi was suddenly cut off when Yami pulled him back and placed his lips hungrily over Yugi's, his arms holding the younger tightly against him.

"All the morning gall I could think about was what you were doing and what you would think when you couldn't find a note from me," Yami smirked against his boy's lips, only pulled away from the kiss enough to allow speech.

"Well, I freaked myself out worrying about only to scare myself worse when I tried sleeping back at…back there."

Yami chuckled, pressing another kiss to Yugi's lips. "Still can't say it, can you," he teased.

Yugi pulled away, staring at the floor with his arms wrapped around himself. He turned away from Yami. "That man," he whispered, too afraid to speak any louder, "he said such horrible things to me. Every since I woke up earlier I can't get his barbaric voice out of my head. It echoes around, repeating itself, and I feel disgusting just thinking about it."

"Yugi."

"He keeps saying how I was a whore and how I'll always be one. That I'd never be good enough for anyone to love and I would never have my happy ending that I was dreaming of." Yugi turned around, tears blurring his vision as he looked up at Yami sadly. He reached his hand towards him desperately, choking, "You love me, Yami?"

Yami stepped forward, his mouth open with disbelief at how much grief and anguish was spilling from Yugi's voice. He took Yugi's outstretched hand in both of his, bringing the hand to his lips. "You are all I have to live for, Yugi. All that I have."

Yugi choked, shaking with all his nerves feeling as though they were on fire. "You aren't angry with me?"

The older had no idea what Yugi could be thinking to make it seem as though he'd be angry with him. He took one hand from Yugi's, keeping his other holding it tightly, now placing his free hand on Yugi's cheek. "No, Yugi, never. Never, love."

More tears dripped down Yugi's cheeks as he choked once again. "Thank you, Yami," he blubbered. "Thank you."

Yami frowned, not knowing how to comfort the broken child in front of him. He stepped forward again and pulled Yugi into his chest, holding him tightly. "I'm here for you, Yugi."

"I want my dream, Yami," Yugi cried.

"Don't worry, baby. I'll take care of you." Yami held Yugi closely, rubbing his back and shoulders lightly, kissing his cheek and rocking them back and forth gently. "Come on, let's go lay down and try to get some rest."

Yugi didn't say anything, only kept holding onto Yami, his hands grasping so tight is knuckles were turning white. When Yami tried pulling away to walk down the hall, Yugi cried out and pulled Yami back. Yami was further surprised by his attitude when Yugi hid his face in his shirt, quivering as though he was cold and couldn't be warmed up.

Yami thought of something better and wrapped his arms around Yugi's waist, lifting him up enough for the younger to wrap his legs around his waist. Yugi did so, wrapping his arms around his neck and letting Yami walk them to the bedroom. He allowed himself to be placed on the bed, watching Yami carefully to make sure he didn't go too far from him.

The older smiled gently at his lost boy, trying to think of something to appease his fears of him leaving him. After all, it was the only thing he could think of after what Yugi told that made sense. He removed his shirt, placing it on a chair on the opposite side of the room, before laying down on the bed beside Yugi. He almost chuckled when Yugi curled into, but held it back in favor of wrapping his arms around him, instead.

"Will you just hold me, Yami?"

"Always, Yugi."

"Yami," Yugi croaked out, glancing up at Yami carefully, almost shyly.

"Yes, Yugi," Yami whispered just as quietly.

"I couldn't remember who that man was until – "

"Shh," Yami hushed. "You don't have to talk about it anymore."

"No, Yami, no. I want to tell you; I need to." Yugi took a deep breath, snuggling closer to his only source of comfort. "The man who told me…that I was a whore, I couldn't remember who he was. I do now."

"Who was he, Yugi," Yami asked, knowing Yugi needed to get this out.

When Yugi didn't say anything, Yami just figured he'd changed his mind and he was okay with that. He closed his eyes and was content to go to sleep when Yugi shifted and mumbled something into his chest. He pushed Yugi away and asked him again.

"It was the man at the fair, Yami."

"What," Yami's eyes widened. He stared at Yugi, unable to believe what he heard. "That bastard who said all those cruel things to you?"

Yugi nodded. "Are you mad at me?"

"Never, Yugi; just like I told you before." In truth, Yami was pissed of, but not at Yugi. He was staring at the same guy who hurt Yugi more than the other customers at the whorehouse ever could and he didn't even know it. "I'll watch over you now, Yugi. Just forget that guy and what he told you before. Listen to me, now. You're handsome, you're all I could ever want in my life, and I'm in love with you. Believe me?"

Yugi watched him for a second before a small smile broke out on his face and his tense muscles finally relaxed. "Yami," Yugi whispered, "There's one more thing."

"What's that, Yugi?"

"Are you tired of waiting for me?"

"For what," Yami asked, confused. A second later it hit him and he pulled Yugi closer. "Of course not, Yugi. I couldn't ever tire of waiting for you. I'll wait for you until you're – "

"I'm ready."

"Exactly," Yami smiled.

"I meant that, Yami. I am ready."

Yami's eyes widened, searching Yugi's face for any sign of indecision. "Yugi, are you –"

"Please, Yami, don't be one of those people who asks, 'are you sure,' a million times before you finally decide to do something. Just love me?"

"Always."

Yes, readers, the time finally came! There is a lemon in this chapter, but as I'm sure you are aware I'm not allowed to put it up. If you would like to read it, feel free to email me or leave it in a review with your email address. I've received many who don't even leave their email address in a review and it's time-consuming to try tracking it down. Thank you.