Title: The Dead of Night (repost/edit)
Author: Elsalhir Erestar
Genre: Romance/Dark/Angst
Rating: M
Summary: Yuugi encounters a stranger on the most terrifying night of his life, but what secrets does he hide? Yuugi is keeping his own secrets, but he could never have predicted the consequences, and Yami is driven to the edge by his feelings for his aibou.YxYY

Chapter 1

"For God's sake Yuugi, cheer up," Jounouchi shouted over the din of the mass, smiling, giving his vertically challenged friend a shove with his hand, "I promised you, you were going to enjoy tonight and I meant it." He stood up from his hunched position to momentarily scour the crowds and bent down again to Yuugi's level, a grin from ear to ear. "Maybe we'll even find you a boyfriend," he whispered, close to his ear, tapping his nose provocatively as he leant back. Yuugi tried to smile. He did his very best.

"Jounouchi-kun, we're too young for this kind of thing," he mumbled, more to himself then anyone. Jounouchi hadn't heard him, but, what had Yuugi been expecting? It wasn't as though anyone ever listened anyway. He never wanted to go. None of his friends quite understood how big a step this was for him. He felt anxious. Yami had warned him away – no, he'd ordered him away, demanded he remain as far away as possible, but through an act of kindness, not rebellion, he'd ignored his other self and defied his intuition.

They hadn't even gone in yet and already Yuugi was terrified. All kinds of visions and images were calved into his mind about this place. Its reputation preceded it, even into high school and the petite teen hadn't any intention of finding out the truth behind the rumour.

He dragged his clammy palms over his hips, clad with tight, black leather, impossibly tight, the silver-black akin to his boots, partially concealed by a hem that was marginally too long. His shirt was scarlet, revealing a good section of his back- more than the teen felt comfortable with – but it had sleeves that, thankfully, were long, flaring at the wrist. The outfit was Jounouchi's idea. Yuugi had protested against it, but he'd even been ordered not to wear his studded collar.

Shifting from one foot to the other, he edged closer to his best friend for warmth, but there was no comfort in the gesture. "Where are the others?" he asked, a sense of panic embracing him. He wanted Anzu to arrive soon. She hadn't been keen on the whole idea either, so at least he would have someone who shared his qualms and fears. Only, there was no sign of her, or any of his other friends. It was just him and Jounouchi.

"They'll be here soon," Jounouchi answered, giving Yuugi's shoulder a reassuring squeeze, "don't look so worried." Yuugi took a laboured breath, endeavouring to steady his tattered nerves. He could feel his hands trembling in his pockets, the goose pimples on his arms only making him feel worse. It was cold. All he wanted was to curl up in bed and sleep, but Jounouchi looked so hyped. He'd talked about this place non-stop all week and who was Yuugi to tell him he couldn't go? So, instead of rejecting his offer to accompany him when the taller youth asked, Yuugi reluctantly agreed through fear of hurting his friend's feelings. He was beginning to wish he'd taken his own feelings into account.

At least he could try and keep Jounouchi out of trouble.

A clamour rose from the gathered crowd, screams of excitement, a wave of adrenaline cursing through each person at the prospect of the unknown, like an evocative mystery about to unfold. Yuugi looked up at Jounouchi. The same anticipation had gripped him. "The doors are opening!" he said, clasping Yuugi's freezing hand in his, "I think they're letting people in! Come on, let's get to the front!"

"But Jounouch-kun, the other's haven't arrived yet-" he tried to protest as he was dragged through the throng of people, apologising as he was swung to and fro into those around him. Before he had time to think, they were both right at the front of the evolving queue. For a fleeting moment, as the bouncer looked them over with a keen eye, he thought they might be rejected- after all, they were underage and Yuugi certainly didn't look eighteen – but to Yuugi's utter surprise and dismay, they were allowed to enter without a word.

Jounouchi practically bounced in through the doors, Yuugi trailing along behind with his head hung, the steady boom of the music drifting from within to mimic the frantic beat of his heart.

The far doors, presumably the entrance, had a small glass window, streams of multi-coloured lights flickering in the dark corridor to light the way, as if urging the dancers forward, but somehow for Yuugi, the light was all the more unnerving. Jounouchi hadn't noticed his discomfort as the other boy followed like a lost puppy, clinging to the elasticised waist of Jounouchi's black jeans, too afraid to let go.

Jounouchi pushed the door open to be greeted with deep red shafts of light, fading to orange, yellow, blue, green, and purple. The music had grown louder; deafening base beat vibrating in their chests, reverberating off the carpeted walls, stimulating the crowd into motion, undulating guitar riffs lighting a fire of desire. All around them people were dancing, sweat-slick bodies grinding against each other, swinging their hips, all of their cares, responsibilities, and concerns thrown blindly to the wind. The place felt alive, energy radiating from every inch of the room. This was what Jounouchi had heard about - the dancing, the talent, the music. Having a good time was the only thing on his mind.

There were other concerns marauding Yuugi's mind, much more sordid and perverse thoughts. He shuddered apprehensively. What if the rumours were true?

"Let's get a drink!" Jounouchi announced and though he'd shouted it, Yuugi only just caught what he said. He shook his head vehemently, feebly attempting to pull the taller away from the direction he was heading.

"Jounouch-kun, jii-chan will kill me if he finds out, not to mention Yami!" he whimpered, begging with his eyes as well as his words. Jounouchi patted his head softly.

"It's just one drink Yuugi, it won't do any harm." Yuugi frowned. He knew that wasn't true, "Please Yuugi, just one, I promise, then we can go and wait outside for the others to come if you want to?" Yuugi's face lit up appreciatively and he nodded, again trailing behind his best friend towards the exceptionally busy bar. Jounouchi hopped up onto a stool, pulling up another from beside him for Yuugi, "So what'll it be short stuff?"

Yuugi gawped at the array of drinks on offer, eyes settling on a small sized bottle of Bacardi Breezer sitting up on the top shelf, laden with myriad other alcoholic beverages, some Yuugi had never heard of before.

"What can I get you, mate?" Yuugi's gaze transferred, finding the barman standing in front of him, waiting for a reply. Yuugi leaned closer, maintaining the distance between him and the man beside him who was staring at him lecherously.

"Um, just a Bacardi please," he said, trying to force his voice to remain steady and calm. The barman's eyebrow arched. Suspicion? No, there was something different behind that look.

"Don't want anything stronger?" he asked, picking up a bottle of vodka, slamming it down on the bar. Yuugi shook his head timidly, looking to Jounouchi for support.

"Just a Bacardi," Jounouchi demanded. The barman's gaze shifted to him, eyes narrowed momentarily before the threatening grimace was replaced by a friendly smile, an almost believable cover.

"And what'll it be for you?" he strained, unclipping the metal cap before handing the bottle to Yuugi. He grasped it between his fingers, considering absent-mindedly how alien it felt to be holding a bottle of alcohol, but reminded himself that the whole situation was alien. He felt out of place. Why had no one noticed he was only sixteen? Perhaps Jounouchi passed for an adult, but he was only just five feet.

Yuugi batted the toxic substance back and forth between his hands, deliberating if he should drink it or not, whilst Jounouchi downed the shot he'd just purchased, shoving half a lemon between his teeth seconds after the burning sensation assailed his throat. "Hey Yuugi, I'm going to find out where the toilets are. Will you be ok by yourself for a few minutes?"

Yuugi considered saying no, but thought better of it. "I'll be fine, " he settled for, smiling weakly. Jounouchi returned the smile with more enthusiasm, ruffling Yuugi's hair.

"Don't worry, you won't want to leave when we have to. Don't go anywhere," he laughed, winking. He hopped off his seat, in seconds vanishing into the crowd of clubbers, leaving Yuugi all by himself. He folded his arms, hands gripping his forearms, feeling suddenly vulnerable and exposed. The man beside him had moved closer, so close the teen could smell the spicy scent of his aftershave.

"Are you going to drink that?" Yuugi turned his head sideways, looking the man in the eye for a second before turning away again. His hair was dark, almost black, the light giving it a slight tint, and balanced on the edge of his nose was a pair of sunglasses, his grey eyes peering over the top of them, straight into Yuugi's.

"Y-yes," he stammered, nervously fingering the base of the bottle. He could see the man smiling out of the corner of his eye.

"Can I buy you a drink?"

"No, I'm fine with this, thanks," Yuugi replied. He wasn't stupid enough to fall into that trap.

"Oh come on, it's just one drink," he persisted, leaning around the teen to see him better. He pointed at the bottle in Yuugi's hand, "and that won't last you all night. Hey, barman!" The aforementioned finished dealing with the previous customer, unaware that Yuugi had seen him pass a key to another man in exchange for some money –quite a lot of money. What was that about? "G and T for my friend here," he continued, slapping him on the shoulder quite roughly. Maybe he was drunk.

"Really, I don't want another drink," Yuugi said stiffly, shrugging the leeching man away.

"Stubborn one, are we?" he slid his glasses up his nose with his index finger. "I'm sure I can change that. Barman, make that two G and T's."

"I told, you-" He stopped short when he found a hand on his leg, sliding back and forth along his thigh. "W-what are you doing?"

The man wasn't smiling anymore, he was grinning in amusement, like this was a fun game. To him, it probably was, but to Yuugi it was the unfolding of a nightmare.

Jounouchi-kun, please come back soon, he thought to himself, watching, frozen, the spider-like fingers trailing his leg. The barman placed two glasses down, one in front of each of them, oblivious of the goings on beneath the bar.

"I'm going to find my friend," he said, sliding off the stool, relieved the creeping hand was away from him. He squeezed his way past people, dodging beneath flailing arms until he encountered a sign for the toilets. Jounouchi was nowhere in sight. He took up a position beside the door, leaning up against the wall. It seemed he'd stumbled into the lover's corner. Surrounded by couples, kissing, groping, confident probing of each other's bodies in places too private for polite conversation, the teen felt grossly uncomfortable, embarrassed, nauseated by the humidity. What on earth was he doing in a place like this?

Knotting his fingers together, Yuugi swallowed deeply, hoping beyond hope that Jounouchi would be out soon. He daren't go in there alone. Jounouchi could take care of himself, but he knew he was at risk. Or was he being paranoid? He wished Yami was with him. At least when he was around, Yuugi felt safe, loved, not leered at like fresh meat to be devoured.

He reflected on his relationship with Yami for a moment, hoping it would distract him. If he ever found out he betrayed his trust after promising not to come with Jounouchi, his life wouldn't be worth living, not to mention, Yami would be truly and deeply hurt. He'd once told Yuugi's that he felt he could trust him whole-heartedly; no flicker of doubt ever embracing his mind, knowing that deep down Yuugi would never defy his wishes.

How wrong he'd been. Yuugi felt a pang of guilt overcome him. Yami had uncanny ways of finding things out. He was stupid to think he wouldn't know what he'd been up to as soon as he walked through the door the following morning.

The door to his right swung open and to Yuugi's utter relief, Jounouchi emerged.

"Didn't I say to stay where you were?" he asked, frowning, but not angrily. It was clear how uncomfortable Yuugi looked by the giveaway manner in which he was fiddling with the buttons on his shirt, amethyst eyes set firmly on one target in case they should stray to something he had little desire to witness.

"I know, but there was this guy at the bar-" Yuugi began, only to be interjected again.

"Did he try something?" Jounouchi said, fists clenching defensively. Yuugi nodded sullenly and Jounouchi's features contorted in anger, "where is he? I'll teach him not to mess with my friends!"

"Jounouchi-kun, don't, he didn't hurt me or anything!" Yuugi pleaded, hanging off his arm, "he just made me feel uncomfortable." He lowered his head, "this whole place does."

"Do you hate it that much?" Jounouchi said, big chocolate brown eyes mournful and sad. He should have known better than to bring his small friend here, but Yuugi's heart bled. He didn't want to make them leave- it wouldn't be fair after he'd agreed to come in the first place. Swallowing, Yuugi shook his head, perking up a little and Jounouchi smiled softly, "that's the spirit! Come on, I need another drink!"

"But Jounouchi, didn't you say we could wait for the others-" He was cut off when Jounouchi grabbed onto his hand again, tugging him through the mass to the bar. Yuugi found his drink was still there, as was the G and T the creep who was plaguing him had bought – but at least he was gone. Yuugi took a swig from the bottle, pleased to find that it didn't taste too horrible. In fact, it tasted much like a soft drink. He took up a seat by the bar whilst Jounouchi ordered another drink, and then, after explaining to Yuugi what his plans were, the smaller watched in amusement as the tall blonde flitted from person to person, eyeing them up and down, purposely squeezing between crowds of people, most of which were practically half naked. Closing his eyes, taking another slow sip, he listened to them music, giving in to the temptation to tap along to the steady, rhythmic tunes that were hypnotically charging, provoking a response out of his body. He fought against the urge to get up and dance – he wasn't the clubbing type. Opening his eyes again, he glanced around for Jounouchi. He was nowhere in sight.

Feeling a very slight twinge of panic, he sat up straight, scouring back and forth over the heads of the dancers. No where. He'd gone. Yuugi's brow creased in frustration and fear. The crowd size had increased. How would he ever find him this time!

"Something wrong?" Yuugi's head snapped right. It was him again, the same man with the same twisted grin.

"No," Yuugi said, no longer in the mood for the flirtatious fiend. The man glanced at the full glass of G and "T on the bar, noting it hadn't been touched.

"Not a big fan of spirits, huh?" Yuugi laughed inwardly at the irony of that statement, but otherwise ignored him. "Oh don't be like that!" he sneered, standing to his full height in an attempt to be intimidating.

"I'm- NOT-interested!" Yuugi assured him, still frantically searching for Jounouchi amongst the horde. The hindrance standing in front of him chuckled.

"How do you know? Do you even know what I want?"

"I have a pretty good idea," Yuugi answered. He may have been able to see the good in everyone, someone who trusted easily, but he wasn't a complete fool and he'd most certainly had enough. For the second time that night, Yuugi moved to slide from his chair, only this time his admirer moved with him, hands curling around him to pin the petite youngster to the bar with very little hope of escape.

"You're not eighteen are you?" he guessed, leaning in close- far too close.

"W-what makes you think that?" Yuugi replied, pulling away. The man stroked his cheek gently, warm breath ghosting against his ear. Yami often performed a similar affectionate gesture, but this … this was very, very different. This man didn't share the same attributes – not the same warm smile, nor the same adoring eyes, not the tender voice that calmed him, or the way his arms curled around him if he was scared.

"There are kids like you in here every week. I can spot them a mile away," he hissed, tongue whipping out to taste his skin, "you happen to be one of the extraordinarily cute ones Yuugi Muto."

"H-how do you -?"

"You're a renowned duellist Yuugi, everyone knows you. I'm lucky I spotted you first …"

"Get away from me!" Yuugi retorted, attempting to barge his way out, past the arms working as barriers halting his escape. He considered calling Yami. He may be angry that Yuugi had disobeyed him, but at least he would be safe … but then another thought occurred. Yami would be so disappointed in him; maybe never trust him again! That was the last thing he wanted … "I told you, I'm not interested in you! Leave me alone."

Yuugi pressed his hands to the man's shoulders, pushing as hard as he could but he hardly moved and the other laughed mockingly. Yuugi's heart thumped wildly in his chest. How was he going to get out of this one? No one seemed to care how frightened he looked.

"Please, j-just let go … " His smile, if possible, widened.

"Alright, I will, but you have to do something for me first." Yuugi's heart sank, "let me kiss you, and then we'll see."

"Forget it-" He wasn't having any of that. Before Yuugi could even finish his dissent, his lips were enveloped with warmth, an uninvited tongue thrusting into his mouth. Yuugi's yelp was drowned out, but no one would have heard him. He felt like being sick – not even Yami had shared something as intimate with him as a kiss. What did he think he was doing? He hadn't wanted his first kiss to come and go so quickly.

At least he would remember it.

He struggled up until and over the point where he pulled away, flushed with revulsion and anger. Just as he was about to explode with fury, the man stepped back, releasing him, but Yuugi was too speechless to move, infuriated that the other just stood their grinning snidely. "You- you- !"

"Now, that wasn't so bad was it?" he remarked, flicking his hand dismissively.

"That's assault!" Yuugi cried, eyes brimming with tears of rage and grief. Evidently the man didn't care. Smiling, tapping Yuugi's thigh with his palm, he walked away. Yuugi's lip trembled, but no, he wouldn't cry in the middle of a club filled with people.

He wished Jounouchi was there.

A wave of dizziness struck him that moment and he gripped the stool so as not to fall, one hand rubbing his temples. That was sudden. Surely one bottle of Bacardi Breezer hadn't affected him like that, and so quickly? That was it …

: Yami: No answer. His mind felt hazy and clouded. He wasn't even sure he'd reached his darker half. He tried to blink away the blurriness his eyes had succumbed to, rubbing them, blinking again, but to no avail. The whole place was spinning. The dancing figures were distorting. In fact, where was he? He couldn't even focus enough to remember.

He slumped off his seat; disorientated, knowing he needed to find a phone box to call a taxi home. Jounouchi would be ok by himself, he hoped. Stumbling forward, gripping onto every available thing to help him stay on his feet, he found a door he prayed led outside into the cool air which, perhaps, would help to clear his head, but it only lead down a corridor filled with people. He groped along the walls, wondering why no one was trying to help him when …

"Well, well, well, look who it is."

Oh God …

He felt an arm slide over his shoulders, another around his waist. He made a meagre effort to push them away, without success.

"Hey, I'm only trying to help you!" a voice said, a voice corded with delight, but Yuugi couldn't differentiate between his own thoughts and those around him speaking. He pushed back again, managed to trip on his own feet and plummet to the floor. Distantly he heard someone laugh. Roughly he was heaved to his feet, but his legs felt like jelly and he collapsed again, held limply in the arms of whoever it was claiming to help him. Through the haze, Yuugi had a pretty good idea who it was.

A minute or two later, he found himself sitting on a carpeted floor, leaning against something –a wall perhaps- eyes drifting in and out of focus. He wasn't entirely sure if someone else was there, only that there were voices nearby …

: Yami … p-please I'm scared : he begged his other self. The message wasn't getting through. Fingers brushed his face softly, lifting his head, but he didn't have the energy to stay up right. He was drowsy. The floor was suddenly very inviting.

Yuugi let himself slump down into a heap, and slept.

TBC