Hi! Sorry this took sooo long. Something seemed to come up every time I tried to work on it. And my draft no longer made sense 'cause some plot points have changed since I wrote it. Of course it seemed it was all my favorite parts I had to cut out or change. So then I spent time trying to stuff them back in, somehow… and then there was the inevitable surgery to remove it again.

So here it is: the 'finished' product.

Part III: Believe

Chapter 12

I knew it was time to stop running and face the truth.

Yugi was two people; magic existed. I was an ass.

Everything Yugi had told me, everything I had witnessed, was real. There were things in the world more scary, and more evil, than cruel adoptive fathers. As much danger as I had believed Mokuba to have been in, countless times, the reality was a danger infinitely greater. My own soul had been trapped in a Duel Monsters card. Duel Monsters, at one time, had been real. Maybe still were. I was once an Egyptian priest, who had played a role in the near ending of the Earth as we know it. Twice. At least.

Yugi was two people. I was dating two people who shared one body. And I had fallen for only one.

I let my face fall to the table. I had chased them both away. Because of fear, and shock. And, if I was honest, jealousy. I appreciated Yugi's inner strength, his ability to take care of himself. But if a situation came up where he needed help, I wanted to be the one to come to the rescue. The Pharaoh took that from me. The Pharaoh, who was part of Yugi, and yet separate. Two identities, one body. Together. Forever.

Yugi wanted me to see them as one, to treat them as one. Was that really what they wanted? Was it for my ease and comfort, or something they were resigned to, trapped as they were?

Regardless of what they really wanted, I had been asked to love them both, as one. After… everything, I owed it to them to try.

I thought again of the dream—no, memory—of the Pharaoh, and the power in his voice, and the shivers it sent down my spine. I thought of the excitement I had felt dueling him. There was no doubt that I was attracted to the ancient spirit. On his own, I think he would be overwhelming. Tempered with Yugi… yes, I could… make that work.

I snorted, laughing at myself. I could hardly admit to myself that I was capable of love. Yet that is what I feel, towards Yugi. That is what I was asking myself to feel towards the Pharaoh.

Love.

An idea began forming in my mind. I knew I would decide against it unless I committed to it now, and it was my best chance to win back Yugi. I followed my brother out of the kitchen.

"Mokuba, I need you to do something for me."

XXX

As I approached the game store the next day, I could hear the others inside.

"Wadda we doin' here again? Yugi won't even open his door!" Wheeler's irritating voice was the easiest to hear through the door.

Tea answered, "Mokuba asked us to come, I'm sure we'll find out why any moment."

I took a deep breath, then opened the door. People generally have a certain response to my entering a room and this was no different. Even Wheeler, who claimed only disdain for me, wore an expression of mixed awe and hostility. Tea, on the other hand, was meeting my gaze coolly, one eyebrow raised. In question? In challenge?

I looked away and focused on the door that I knew led to Yugi. Addressing the room, I stated, "Thank you for coming. I need to talk to Yugi, and I want his friends to be present."

I looked around at the curious and suspicious faces, keeping mine impassive. This was my dumbest idea ever. How would I actually manage to go through with this plan? I looked to Mokuba, who had followed me in, holding a wooden box. He nodded encouragingly. I stepped up to Yugi's door and opened it, my coat swirling about my legs. Yugi sat at the head of his bed, his arms around his knees. He had changed his clothes at least once since I had seen him last; he was now wearing red plaid flannel pajamas. If he had showered, he had not bothered to do his hair. His normally spiky locks were drooping about his shoulders; his curly blond bangs were a frizzy halo around his face. His sad eyes met mine, almost without recognition. Then his back straightened and his eyes narrowed and I recognized the dark spirit in the now steady gaze meeting mine.

"I need to speak with both of you." The others had followed me in and were now standing around the bed, looking back and forth between Yugi and me, as if watching a tennis match.

A deep voice came from the mouth of the boy on the bed. "We both hear you, Seto. Say what you came to say."

I bristled at his tone. I hated humbling myself like this, but I pressed on. "I… I considered hiring a florist to fill your room with flowers, but I thought that would not mean as much as something I did myself…" I beckoned to Mokuba, who brought the box he was holding.

"I discovered that there are no wildflowers in Domino in this season. Or much else growing. So I did what I could." I put the box on the foot of the bed, opened it, and pulled out the top item. It was a pale young Japanese maple leaf, still curling in its infancy.

"I went—

I was interrupted as Wheeler exclaimed, "What's going--OW!" I looked up and saw him clutching his foot. The only person standing near him was his little sister. She stood, looking at me, hands clasped to her chest, a dreamy expression on her face. With that vote of confidence I continued.

"I went to the butterfly house and searched every tree there until I found a leaf the exact color of your eyes when you are merged." I placed the leaf on the bed spread. I closed the box again, and ran my fingers across the soft wood.

I had decided to think of this as a business presentation. State the facts, give irrefutable evidence, don't accept no. If I had been addressing Yugi alone, I probably would be able to say more. Yugi had become used to my tendency to ramble when I wasn't consciously controlling every word that left my mouth. But the presence of the others was the biggest part of my plan, so I had to hope that saying very little in front of witnesses would mean more than anything I said in private.

"Yugi, I am sorry for the way I treated you on Saturday, for hurting you. I am sorry for not believing you, and for lying and saying that I did. I know that my lie has called into question all that I've said or done since. I brought you something that I hope will show you that the time we spent together did mean something to me."

I picked up the wooden box again and set it down within the Pharaoh's reach. He did not move to open it. His eyes had narrowed even more than usual, his face impassive. I took a breath, making sure I could speak without betraying my desperation. "Please look in the box," I said in the most level voice I could manage. At least it hadn't sounded like as order.

The Pharaoh looked at me appraisingly. It seemed I passed, as he picked up the box, placed it on his lap, and opened it. Inside were items I had collected throughout our relationship: little reminders of him, and things we had done together. I had labeled each with the date and circumstances of the keepsake.

I watched as he pulled out a sticker from an orange. He had placed it on my lapel during the first soccer game we attended. He placed it in the lid of the box. He looked at each item, including the shell he had found for me at the beach, a token from the arcade, a chip from a mug we broke 'washing the dishes' together, and a lock of his hair. Some items seemed to pull a reaction from him. I could swear the Pharaoh's lip curved up just slightly at the piece of china, and his hand flew up to his hair when he saw the black and red lock tied with a thin black ribbon. He seemed alarmed, actually. Possibly because both he and Yugi were asleep when I cut the lock. I was excited to get any reaction. At least he was paying attention.

As the Pharaoh placed each item carefully back in the box I took a slow breath, preparing to speak again. This was the wrap up of my presentation. The part that would make or break the deal. "I love you Yugi. I've changed. I don't deserve forgiveness, but please, give me chance to love you now, Yugi. Give me chance to love you for the right reasons.

I waited, holding my breath. The pharaoh looked down at the box and did not move. The seconds ticked past, then a minute. Two. It had not worked. I had lost them.

I had a plan for this, too. It isn't like me to plan for failure, but I couldn't risk just standing like a fool in front of Yugi's friends.

"OK, I'll leave you then. I spoke to Michelle today about continuing my classes with private tutors, so you don't have to worry about running into me at school. I expect you to start attending again. " I gazed at Yugi once more. He had not said anything, had given no indication that he even was listening. If this was the last time I would see him this close, I wanted a moment to just look at him. He was beautiful, even disheveled as he was. I lowered my expressionless mask and smiled as I watched him, though my heart was breaking. My throat constricted; I managed to whisper, "Goodbye Yugi." As I turned to leave, Tea caught my eye. Was that… approval? And sympathy?

My hand was on the doorknob when I heard the voice of the Pharaoh. "Seto!"

So, he would deal with me now.

I turned to see him standing on the foot of the bed, looking regal despite the rumpled bed clothes and drooping hair. He beckoned, and I stepped forward, ready for anything, and determined to take whatever was directed at me. The face of the man at the fair, empty eyes staring, was at the front of my thoughts.

When I came within two feet of the bed, the Pharaoh held up his hand. In it was the Japanese maple leaf. He looked into my eyes, then held up his other hand as well, a gesture of offering. His lips turned up slightly, a small smile. His eyes closed, and when they opened again, my own beloved Yugi was before me.

"I forgive you." He reached his hands out towards mine. I bypassed the hands and put my arms around him, burying my face in his stomach. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me to him. I felt…Oh! I realized why people apologized. For this… feeling that forgiveness brought. I stepped back and let Yugi slide to the floor through my arms. I caught his lips as they passed mine and held them. As Yugi opened to me, I discovered that though he may not have been showering, he had recently brushed his teeth. I smiled into the kiss, grateful for Yugi's discipline with oral hygiene.

I had almost forgotten the others when I heard Wheeler exclaim, "Whaa… OW!" I was vaguely aware then of Tea, Serenity, and Mokuba ushering everyone out of the room as we continued to kiss. When we finally pulled back, Yugi was smiling. He held up the leaf, still in his hand.

"I think I'll have it framed. No, bronzed! Seto's first apology."

I smiled, then stifled a sigh. "I guess we'll have to talk…"

Yugi nodded. "I'm sorry too. I did push you to accept the Pharaoh as real, and part of me. I guess you were not ready yet, to believe. It is not a rational thing to ask. But I do still ask it." Yugi tilted his head. "You said…" he blushed. "You said you loved me."

"I do!" I said quickly.

He looked at me. "I believe you. I love you too." He smiled up at me, then buried his head in my chest again. I thought he would say more about the Pharaoh, that his role in our relationship would be discussed. I was just as happy to leave that alone for now. I think the Pharaoh was trying to say something to me just before Yugi took over, but I did not know what.

I held Yugi a moment longer, then leaned back to look him up and down. "Now, lets say we get you cleaned up. How 'bout I take you back to my place," I ran a hand through his tumbled hair, then down the side of his face, " and I'll take care of everything." Yugi stiffened in my arms and turned away.

"What is it, what's wrong?" I tried to hide the panic in my voice. Yugi looked up, shrugged and sighed, and turned away again.

"It's just… I feel…" He looked up at me once more. "Seto, I just spent five days thinking you… and we… I know it's supposed to be the best part of having a fight, you know, the making up, but…"

I put a hand on Yugi's shoulder. I got it. I had put us back to the beginning, trust-wise. "It's okay, Yugi. I don't mind waiting." That was not entirely true, but true enough. "It's my fault."

Yugi turned back to me, a wicked grin on his face. "Oh, I know it is!"

My eyes narrowed, but I grabbed and held Yugi, kissed him on the forehead, then stepped back. "Just promise me you will take care of yourself, then. Shower, eat something, go to school tomorrow. Please?"

Yugi looked at me dumbfounded. "What do you mean? I ate just before you came." He put a hand to his head again. "And I showered this morning. I just didn't do my hair. No point if I was just going to mess it up again before I go out tonight."

Now I was speechless. I wasn't sure what to address first. "You… you… But your grandfather said you weren't eating, and you haven't been to school. Yugi, your wearing pajamas at three in the afternoon! And what do you mean you are going out tonight?"

Yugi started giggling. "Grandpa! He was bringing me seven meals a day. I ate less than half of them, but that was still more than I usually eat in one day. I think I deserved the vacation from school, and what else am I going to wear if I'm staying in bed all day—"

"Yugi, you've been staying in bed all day, all week. You don't think that's a little strange?" I don't know why Yugi's claim of normalcy upset me. I should have been happy that he was okay.

Yugi laughed softly again. "Haven't you heard of 'sheet therapy?' My heart was broken, I was wallowing. I planned to get up today. I have a responsibility to someone else on Thursdays. That's more important than indulging in my grief."

I wanted to ask where he was going; I was more curious now than I had ever been, but I had less right to ask. I opened my mouth, but could think of nothing to say.

Yugi smiled. "I know you want to ask, but it really isn't up to me to tell you." He cocked his head to the side. "I can ask though, if it is okay for you to know. I think you would be ready to know, now."

I wasn't sure what he meant by 'ready to know,' but I nodded. "Okay. I'll leave you to get ready then." I looked to the door, and remembered that the others were still out there. "Or do you want me to stay while you talk to your friends? They must have questions."

Yugi smiled. "No, I know you don't really want to, and I don't mind talking to them by myself." Yugi giggled a little. "I still can't believe you said all that in front of them. Thank you, Seto." He tipped his head up with his lips puckered. I didn't keep him waiting.

When we parted, Yugi glanced in the mirror. "I think I'll get dressed and ready quickly first. Can you ask them to wait, on your way out?"

I nodded and swallowed. "When will I see you again?"

Yugi looked at me funny. "Tomorrow at school of course!" He smiled softly up at me. "And I'll come over tomorrow night, okay?"

My neediness embarrassed me, and part of me was angry that Yugi had seen it, but I quelled it quickly. This was Yugi, whom I trusted and loved. I smiled a rare smile and bent to kiss Yugi lightly on the lips. "I look forward to it." I walked toward the door. "I'll tell your friends to stick around."

XXX

Once I had left Yugi's room I took a moment to breathe. The others had gone to the kitchen. I realized that I could sneak out, if I was quick, and quiet. But I couldn't leave without Mokuba, nor could I hope to face the others at school tomorrow if I didn't do it now. I drew myself up and stepped through the kitchen door. The chattering and cookie munching ceased.

All eyes looked to me, though most wouldn't meet my gaze. Serenity still looked at me with a dreamy expression; Mokuba was smiling, and Tea… Tea met my gaze full on, but her face was a mask. "Thank you all for coming today. Yugi asks that you stay. He will speak with you after he dresses." I paused, looking around the room. "Mokuba." I turned and walked out, knowing my brother would follow. I was curious to know what would be said, but not enough to stay.

XXX

Mokuba quickly blinked back tears when Yugi came for dinner the next night. He sat between us as we watched a movie, and grew tense if either of us got up or even shifted position. After this uncharacteristic display of possessive behavior, I was surprised when he headed upstairs without question at his bed time.

After we put Mokuba to bed together, we sat on the couch, channel surfing. Yugi was leaning on me, but not quite lying down. I paused in my channel flipping as a thought occurred to me.

"Tea… she knew. Yugi? Tea knew."

He was quiet for a moment. "Yes." Now that everyone knew there was no need to get angry, but did this mean he had lied to me? I wasn't sure I wouldn't sound angry, so I waited for Yugi, and muted the TV.

"She asked me. I… couldn't lie to her, not to Tea. I'm sorry I didn't tell you…"

I knew why he didn't tell me. I decided to let that part go. "When? When did she ask?"

"Um, it was about two weeks after we… um… first got together." Yugi flushed pink.

I was astonished. "Two weeks! How did she know? Did she say?" I pulled away from Yugi to face him.

He looked like he would like to hide his face against me again, but he kept his eyes on mine. "She's Tea; she notices things. Um, especially about me."

I smirked. "Oh, right. She likes you. Is she upset?"

Yugi ignored my facetious tone. "She's okay. I think she really liked the Pharaoh more than me anyway. And now she's hanging out with that guy Garrett—'

"Fickle." For some reason I was upset on Yugi's behalf that she seemed to be over him so easily.

Yugi smiled up at me, his eyes crinkling in the corners. "That's how I knew you liked me, you know."

"What do you mean?"

"When you snapped at Tea in class. Jealous." Yugi sounded very satisfied with himself.

"I wasn't jealous, she was embarrassing herself. Besides you yelled at me. I was sure you didn't like me then."

Yugi shook his head, "Pharaoh yelled at you. I was too busy squealing for joy that my crush liked me. And after months of flirting and dropping hints!"

"Months? Hints?" He had lost me.

"Maybe weeks? And my biggest hint was that day, staring at you when I was talking about sex and marriage. I thought everyone except you must be noticing."

"I saw, but then I was confused. I'm glad you finally just asked me out… or in rather."

"I asked you out lots of times!"

"To hand out with Mutt and Friends! That didn't count."

Yugi nodded, "Yes, that's what Pharaoh said. It was his idea to invite ourself over here."

The Pharaoh's points just went up in my book. I knew this was the perfect opportunity to discuss the Pharaoh's role in this relationship, but I couldn't bring myself to bring it up. I told myself it was really more an issue between them than with me, and I should just stay out of it. I almost believed myself.

I reached for Yugi's lips with my own. A few minutes later we drew apart. I wrapped my arms around Yugi, pulled him into my lap and just held him.

"Making up for lost hugs."

After Yugi left I realized how easily I had been distracted away from how Tea knew. Yugi seemed to know more than he was saying, but I supposed he had his reasons. If I wanted him to trust me enough to tell me, I guess I would have to trust him.

XXX

Housekeeping:

That's it for 'Believe.' Hope you liked. Now we get to move on to the next part, which was fun to draft, and I think, hopefully, won't need much editing, just typing. It is kind of a side-story or 'filler arc,' I suppose. It is called Tender Moments (Aww… sounds sweet, heh-heh.)

So, I looked at the calendar and realized that I have one month until my girlfriend's entire family descends upon us for her college graduation. Eeek! Consequently, I'm unsure how frequently I'll be able to update… but I'll try to be good!

If anyone has lemon questions, please see my response to Aku Chibi, at the bottom of the page. Thanks!

Review responses:

Clarity – lol, I'm glad you liked the chapter… I hope the apology wasn't too sappy for you, and that things seem more clear to you, now. Anger… isn't usually rational, and is usually a reaction to other emotions.

Dragon! – Hi! Yes, Kaiba can be… well, we all know how he can be. But I think he sort of made up for it, so I suppose we can leave his skull intact. For now. I'll let you know if we need to beat him, after all.

Yana5 – Oh, Yana! Don't be hatin' He did good, no? Well, until next time…

Dimitri – Hand over the chocolate! I know I said something about taking more Glamour Lust instead, but… I like chocolate. You are wise to learn the power of manipulation by chocolate at such a young age. I hope this chapter makes you happy, I aim to please. Thanks for agreeing with my portrayal of their, er, fight-thing! I think that when people have extra brains, other things get pushed out, which leaves them open to screw up. And its fun to write 'cause were just a bit sadistic that way. Or am I only speaking for myself? No, I think I speak for both of us.

Ailisa – here here here here Hope you liked!

Aku Chibi – Thanks for the review! Ah, the lemon question. Hmm, for that chapter, it really just wanted to be written that way. Seto's thoughts on it were more… prevalent than the act itself. As far as the future… my id and my super-ego are in an ongoing… dispute… about that. As for me, I just keep typing, and we'll all just have to wait and see what happens. Feel free to weigh in on the issue.

Thanks to all readers!