Title: Eternal Freedom
Author: Sorceress Fantasia
Pairings: YY/Y
Warnings: Slight angst
Disclaimer: I tried to lure Yugi over to me with some really good cards, but Yami came and snatched him back. He took the cards too. So no, I don't own the YGO anime or characters in any way.
Challenge theme: Freedom
Summary: Yami would set Yugi free, and never let him know that he loved him.
Word count: 508
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Freedom was never eternal.
And Yami knew that much. For every time he thought he had gotten hold of freedom forever, it would forsake him, leaving him to wallow in confusion alone.
Like the time when he had escaped from the palace, riding a horse and streaking through the free lands. But the palace guards came after him, quickly ending his moment of freedom.
Or like the time when Yugi had released him from the puzzle, letting him feel the sunlight beating down on his face once more. But whenever his help wasn't needed, he would be locked up in the puzzle again, doomed to sink into the darkness until the next time Yugi called for him.
And even after he had fallen in love with Yugi, the only person who could set his heart ablaze and his soul free with a smile, he knew it was only a matter of time before the gates to the afterlife would open and claim him. And the moment of freedom would be lost to him again.
He could never understand why.
Why was freedom so difficult to attain, and so easy to lose?
Why was freedom never eternal?
Why couldn't he be free?
But the least Yami knew was that freedom was precious; it was valued; it was beautiful. So no matter what, he would at least give his hikari the freedom that was so cherished. He would not chain his hikari down with his love.
Yami would leave one day, willingly or unwillingly. And if Yugi did not love him, it would make his departure easier to bear. So he would never let Yugi know he loved him, that he wanted to stay with him forever.
He would be the only one heartbroken by their separation. His tears would be enough. There was no need for Yugi to cry as well.
But when the time came for him to leave, Yami found himself swallowing his tears as he stood at the threshold of the gate to the afterlife. He had to be strong for Yugi, for despite his best efforts, Yugi was still weeping at his departure.
"Yami!"
He could not turn back, could not look back. He would never leave otherwise. And he had to go. He had to set his hikari free.
Then, there was a flurry of movement behind him and a myriad of shouts and yells, and suddenly, Yugi was by his side, arms wrapped around his torso. In that moment, all Yami could see and hear were Yugi's sobs and murmurs of his name. The noises from behind them, from their friends, had ceased to exist in his mind.
The gates opened, and the light from within kissed Yugi's tears. Yami thought he had never looked so beautiful... and so free. He held Yugi closer, and with a sad smile, entered the gates with his lover.
And he finally understood.
Freedom was not an eternal truth. It existed within the living soul, and people who believed they were free, would always, always be free.
-owari-
