Juu56: Wow! Another one out already. FUN!!!!!!!!!!!! *bounces around, hopping off walls of white padded room.* Anyway………
On to the reviews, thanks so much to:
Neko Oni: Glad you liked it, and I will keep writing as much as possible!
Yummy Yami: That's not actually what I had planned, but good guess! There will be angst soon, though. And I don't plan on killing anyone ^_^*
Little Kaori solo Yuy-Maxwell: I plan to keep writing, and thank you very much!
Asian Angel 12: Great! I'm glad you liked!!!
firedraygon97: Thanks, and I plan on continuing further!
KaTyA: I know! They're my favorite couple! They are sweet, aren't they? *squeals and attacks Yami and Yugi*
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Chapter 2
The caller was Anzu, asking if Yugi was all right and if he wanted her to bring some soup, since he was sick. He stuttered an appropriate refusal, and then Kaiba called about some Duel Monsters cards he'd ordered a week ago that hadn't come in yet. He pacified the angry CEO by telling him that the shipment had been slightly delayed, and they could be there by the end of next week. By the time he finished that call, it was almost seven, and Yami made him a sandwich and sat with him, waiting for him to eat it. Finally, Yugi crossed his arms over his chest and scowled.
"You're mother henning, Yami," he said flatly. Then he smiled, to let Yami know he wasn't really mad. "I'm fine, koi. Aishiteru, but I really am all right. I've been in bed all day, and I'm going to have to go to school tomorrow, anyway."
Yami sighed. "I just didn't want you to be in pain."
"And I appreciate that, but I'm fine, and I have been in pain before. I'm not a little kid anymore. Just…help me up?" He gazed sheepishly though his bangs into Yami's crimson eyes.
Yami laughed richly and pulled Yugi out of bed. His light winced a little as he moved a tentative step forward, but he was fairly sure he'd be fine. Yami hovered worriedly.
"It's all right, Yami!" He laughed. "You're more protective now than you were before! It's really okay, Yami. Honest."
He walked - albeit slowly, and a little painfully - to the bathroom, then to the kitchen to eat his sandwich like a normal person, at the table. He poured himself a glass of water, pushed Yami into another chair, sat, and dug into his sandwich. He really was hungry, after all.
It only took him a few minutes to finish the meal; he practically inhaled it. Then he supported his head with one hand, elbow braced against the table, and with his other hand took one of Yami's, holding it lovingly.
"Yami, I'm almost nineteen. I just started college. I appreciate that you love me, and I love you too, but I can take care of myself. Really." He smiled, his lavender eyes warm and reassuring.
Yami sighed. I know, koi, but I worry. I love you, and I hate to be the cause of your pain. I trust you; I really do. Just…take it easy, all right?"
Yugi smiled. "Of course, Yami. I promise." Satisfied, Yami yanked Yugi into his lap and began raining kisses over the little one's neck. Yugi giggled.
"Y-yami!" he protested. "You said we couldn't-"
"No," Yami interrupted. "I said we couldn't do that today. There are other things…" He trailed off suggestively.
Yugi grinned and hopped off Yami's lap, running to the bedroom. "You'll have to catch me first!" he teased. Recognizing the playful challenge, Yami chased him, intent on catching his elusive prey. He was the King of Games, after all…
*
Grinning like an idiot, Yugi scampered over to set his alarm - strategically placed so that he couldn't turn it off, ignore it, or break it - then hopped back in the bed before he got cold. Yami laughed and curled up around him, holding him as tightly as possible without crushing him. Yugi squirmed.
"Yami!" he gasped. "Air!"
Yami blinked, blushed slightly, and loosened his grip. Yugi took a deep breath of much-needed air. "Sorry, aibou," Yami apologized sheepishly. Yugi laughed breathlessly.
"'S'okay, Yami." He snuggled comfortably up against Yami's chest, using the taller one as a pillow, and fell asleep.
Yami stayed awake. Of course, being a spirit, he didn't need sleep, but he slept every once in a while. Right now, though, he was worried. Yugi seemed to be falling asleep an awful lot lately…He couldn't help but wonder if maybe it had something to do with that knock on the head a couple weeks ago…
*FLASHBACK*
Jou laughed, pushing Yugi back and forth on the swing. Yug hadn't had anything to keep him busy lately, and he'd begun brooding about his grandfather's death again. He had good reason, but it still wasn't healthy, reason or not. So Jou had decided to take him out, do something fun, get his mind off things. So now here he was, pushing a swing, happy because his friend was laughing again.
He didn't notice that the chain was only half-attached. And he didn't quite notice as it slipped more. He did notice when the swing fell from the bars, and Yugi was suddenly flying through the air, screaming.
Yami was frantic, tripping over himself in his haste to get out of his soul room, finally coming out to find Yugi on the ground, unconscious, and Jou screaming, running over to them.
They got Yugi to the hospital; the doctor said it was a minor concussion, that Yugi wake up in a few hours. Yami threatened the man, more scared than angry. He took Yugi home, tucked him into bed, and waited for him to wake.
*END FLASHBACK*
Yugi had woken, just as the doctor had said he would, a long hour later, and he had been fine - except he fell asleep very easily, at the slightest exercise. Still, he refused to go back to the doctor's, saying that he was just stressed - which, hell, could be the truth for all Yami knew; but somehow he didn't think so. But he couldn't force Yugi to the doctor, so he was stuck.
With a little grunt of resignation, Yami settled himself and fell asleep.
*
Yugi woke to the harsh blare of the alarm. He'd slept better than he had in weeks, with Yami by his side. He actually felt rested, rather than more tired than before. Yami had made all the difference.
He dressed quickly and in silence; Yami was awake but tired, so he figured he'd just let his other sleep. He slipped the puzzle around his neck, kissed Yami, and started to leave the room.
His progress was impeded when he felt Yami's hand snake around his waist. He smiled. "Are you coming with me today, Yami?" He had stopped coming a while ago.
He heard - in his mind; that was Yami's favorite way to speak- //Mmhm.//
/All right. Let go, Yami. I have to get breakfast, and then we can go./
//Mmm.// The arm loosened, and Yugi slipped out, bouncing to the kitchen. He gulped down two pieces of toast and a glass of orange juice, then called mentally, /Yami! I'm ready to go!/ He heard Yami step out of the bedroom and felt him enter the puzzle, then hopped out the door, headed for the bus stop.
*
When he got off the bus in the afternoon, heading home, he found Anzu waiting for him. He blinked.
"Hey! What are you doing here, Anzu?" he asked, looking puzzled.
"Oh, I just thought I'd spend a little more time with you," she answered vaguely, but her eyes shone strangely. "I hardly ever see you around anymore. Why don't you ever drop by?" She looked wounded.
//She's just pretending, koi. She wanted something.//
/Yami? Are you sure?/ Why would he say that about Anzu? She was one of Yugi's best friends.
//I just don't trust her, love. Just be careful, okay?//
/All right, Yami. Aishiteru. Demo…would you mind if we didn't tell her yet? She has kind of a crush on you, and I don't want to hurt her feelings./
Yami didn't really care much about her feelings, but he shrugged mentally. //Of course not. We don't have to tell anyone until you feel ready.//
/Arigatou!/ Yami smiled mentally at the gratitude in his lover's voice.
To Anzu, Yugi replied finally, "I've been a little busy, with school and all." Anzu was preparing to move, to attend that dance school that Yugi could never quite remember the name of, so he asked, "How's the move going?"
"Yeah, I guess you're right, I've kind of been busy too…The move's going good, good, though. Almost everything's been sold or packed. I…kind of wanted to ask you something though…"
//I told you.// Yami sounded smug. Mentally, Yugi stuck his tongue out at him. "Really? Well, what is it you wanted to ask?" He had a strange feeling he wouldn't like the answer.
"I was kind of wondering…" She was fiddling; something was definitely going on.
She - and probably Yugi, too - was saved when Jou came running up being followed - or maybe chased; it wasn't exactly clear which - by Honda. She stepped back slightly, laughing, as Jou dashed behind Yugi. Honda skidded to a stop, huffing, puffing, and glaring death at Jou, who's head was peaking triumphantly from behind Yugi's shoulder.
Yugi giggled and stepped away from Jou, who squeaked and ran behind Anzu. She held up her hands in a gesture of surrender and backed away.
"No way. I'm not getting killed by getting between you two. Work this out on your own!"
Laughing, Honda lowered his fists. "You're safe for now, buddy. We only came to get you, Yugi. You were taking a while."
"Anzu had something she wanted to tell me." He looked at her expectantly. She backed away.
"No, that's okay, really. I'll talk to you later. Let's just go to the Game Shop!" Yugi nodded excitedly, looking like a little kid again, and ran off after the others.
"Wait for me!"
Observing from his soul room, Yami smiled. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
*
The new card shipment had come in, so Yugi had to take care of that. Afterward, he had most of the afternoon free; not too many people came there on school days. He called Kaiba to tell him his cards were in and that he could pick them up tomorrow, then ended up closing early.
Safely inside his apartment, he convinced Yami to come out; then wished he hadn't when Anzu did nothing but make moon eyes at him for the rest of the afternoon. It was a relief when his friends left, and it was just him and Yami.
They sat in companionable silence for a while, until Yugi sat up suddenly, blinking. Yami had, surprisingly, fallen asleep on the couch. Trying not to wake him, Yugi stood carefully and left. He seemed to have forgotten his book bag somewhere…
*
Yami sat up abruptly, clutching his head in excruciating pain. He felt the bond between himself and Yugi stretch - then snap.
He screamed, and blacked out.
*************TBC*************
Hallelujah!!!!!! Another one down! Rather short chapter, and evil cliffy - I know, I'm sorry. I don't plan on killing any characters, though, you'll be happy to know - or at least, you should be happy. Now then - Must. Find. Food!!!!!!!!!!!