Hello again! As promised, I am resuming updates on this story. My birthday is this weekend, so, to celebrate, I'm posting this new chapter as a "present" to all my loyal readers who have been wonderfully patient and not given up on this story. :)

While the rough draft is more or less complete, there are still a few scenes I'm not entirely happy with and most of the remaining story is in longhand in a notebook waiting for my hands to cooperate (they're currently swollen and very painful) so that I can type the new stuff up. Therefore, don't look for a new chapter until sometime next month. The winter months are always very difficult for me since the cold exacerbates many of my symptoms and this winter has been colder than normal for where I live, making things even worse.

Since I'm going to updating as quickly as I can, I'm asking that you please don't leave "update soon!" comments. The end is in sight and we'll get there ASAP, I promise, so there's no need to nag. Thanks in advance for your understanding, and I hope that you enjoy the new chapter. As always, feedback is loved. See you next month!

ETA: Edited to fix a few typos.

Chapter 13

"I wish..." Yugi faltered, caught somewhere between sudden insecurities and Atem's expectant (and somewhat resigned) expression. The weight of the wish token, which had appeared in his hand as soon as he uttered the words, dragged at him. He had thought long and hard about how to word this wish, but what if he'd gotten it wrong?

"Master?" his genie prompted.

"Yeah, okay." Deep breath. He could do this. "I wish to recover the three ka statues, along with proof that I didn't steal them, so that I can return them to their rightful owner, thus restoring my professional reputation."

The token grew hot against his palm. Startled, Yugi looked down in time to watch the token start to glow. It vanished from his hand to reappear in Atem's grasp. The token's glow became blinding before it seemed to sink into the genie's skin. Atem straightened, his entire body surrounded by a halo of golden light. The light (magic?) pulsed - once, twice - and exploded outward in a silent shockwave.

"Wow." Yugi knew he was gaping but could do nothing to stop it. "That was-"

"Exhausting." And, indeed, Atem looked weary, as if he had over-exerted himself in physical labor. Apparently, wish-granting took a great deal more effort than he had let on. "Your wish is granted, my master."

"Really?"

Sagging onto the nearest chair, Atem nodded. "Look behind you."

Yugi spun around and found himself face-to-carved-faces with a trio of identical, life-sized wooden effigies. "The missing ka statues!"

"Missing no longer." An elegant wave of Atem's hand indicated a stack of documents on the coffee table. "And, in accordance with your obsession with 'paper trails', I have provided an appropriate one to go with your statues."

"I'm not obsessed with paper trails!"

"You certainly seem to be."

"I just want to be able to prove I didn't steal the statues, hide them, and then pretend to find them when I couldn't ditch them on the black market."

Atem's eyes widened and he nodded. "That actually makes sense."

"You don't have to sound so surprised. I made sense all the time before you came along." Yugi huffed before turning his attention to the stack of papers the genie had provided. Reverently, Yugi touched the topmost paper. Proof, at last, of his innocence. Knees buckling at the realization that he would soon be free of the stigma that had clung to him since the previous summer, he sank onto the sofa. He took a moment to bask in the knowledge that he could finally clear his name, before tearing his gaze from his prize and focusing on Atem. "I don't know how to thank you."

"You don't have to thank me." Atem lifted his head and met Yugi's gaze. "I'm a genie. Granting wishes is my purpose."

At those words, Yugi felt his delighted smile slide into a frown. "Don't talk about yourself like that."

"Like what?" Atem's brows drew together in apparent confusion.

"Like you're a, a tool instead of a person." Yugi scowled at him. "You may not be entirely human, but you're not a thing. Whatever else you may be, you're still a man. Don't ever forget that."

Atem's lips twitched and, when he spoke, his voice was deeper, more seductive. "Feel free to remind me as often as you like."

Heat flashed up Yugi's neck and into his cheeks. Damn his over-developed blush reflex! "Is that all you think about? Storing up physical sensations?"

Yugi meant it to be teasing, but Atem's eyes narrowed. "Is that what you think I'm doing with you?"

"Well, sure." Yugi stared at his hands, fidgeting in his lap. "It's not a bad thing. I guess it's sort of nice, that I can provide that for you."

He didn't look up, but he heard the shifting of fabric against fabric as Atem rose from the chair and the scuff of his feet on the rug as he shuffled over to join Yugi. The sofa cushions dipped as the genie settled beside him.

"Yugi..." Atem's voice was gentle, as was the hand which cupped Yugi's cheek and tipped his head so that he had little choice but to look at Atem. "I would never use you like that."

"But-"

"No. No 'buts." Atem's long fingers traced a line from Yugi's cheekbone, along his jawline, and down to the rapid pulse below his ear. "You are no mere bed partner, and you have given me much more than physical sensations to treasure."

Leaning into Atem's touch, Yugi could almost believe that the genie felt something for him. Maybe not love - he wasn't naïve enough to think that Atem could fall as fast as Yugi had - but something, some affection. There was warmth in his voice and caring in the caress of his fingers.

Yugi shivered. "You don't have to say that."

"You think I don't mean it?" Atem edged closer, fingers sliding into Yugi's hair, holding him steady while he re-traced the line his fingers had drawn, this time with his lips and tongue. He spoke softly between kisses, his breath hot against Yugi's skin. "I have never lied to you. I see no reason to start now."

"Not-" Yugi sucked in a sharp breath as Atem's clever mouth teased his earlobe. "Not even to spare my feelings?"

"Why would I seek to spare your feelings if I didn't care for you?" Atem leaned back just far enough to meet Yugi's gaze. "For centuries, I have felt nothing but contempt for humans. I believed them all to be greedy creatures without exception, undeserving of consideration. But you have shown me kindness and...friendship." His thumbs stroked a heated path along Yugi's collarbone, leaving sparks of electricity in their wake. "How could I do any less in return?"

So, they were friends... with benefits? A part of Yugi flinched at that description, even as he acknowledged its probable accuracy. It wasn't what he wanted, or, rather, not all he wanted. He wanted the whole package, true love and a happy ending. He wanted Atem to know that he loved him, and he wanted to know that Atem loved him in return. But he couldn't have that. He had to be realistic. Atem was a genie bound to a magic puzzle and, at some point, the curse was going to reclaim him. It would suck him back into imprisonment in that awful shadow realm and Yugi would be alone. More alone than he'd been since he'd lost his family, because now he would know exactly what he was missing.

"Friendship is good," Yugi allowed, firmly squashing his longing for more. "I know that this, whatever it is we have, is only temporary."

Even if Atem were so inclined, it was impossible for it to be anything else. Yugi had never really hated anyone in his life, but he was willing to make an exception in Bakura's case because, thanks to that long-dead sorcerer, a happily-ever-after with Atem was not in Yugi's future.

"Yeah, it's going to hurt like hell when you leave, but in the meantime, I'm enjoying what we have. Knowing we have a limited time together, I want to make every second count."

"As do I." Atem pressed a tender kiss to Yugi's lips and then sat back. "Shall we get these statues back where they belong so that we can concentrate on maximizing those remaining seconds?"

Yugi's reply was a breathless "okay." He leaned around Atem to take another look at the statues in question. "What do we need to do?"

"Well, I-" Atem fell silent. He had turned to follow the direction of Yugi's gaze and was now staring at the trio of effigies. His body went rigid and still, as if carved of wood itself.

"Atem? What's wrong?"

"Bakura!" The name exploded from Atem's lips and he shot to his feet, glaring at the nearest of the three statues as if he would like to set it on fire with the power of his gaze. Before Yugi could intervene to make sure the genie didn't actually use his magic to reduce the precious statues to ash, Atem added, "These are my brother's ka statues!"

Yugi's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"

"As if I could be mistaken. His is one image that is seared into my memory."

Armed with this new knowledge, Yugi studied the statues. They were exactly as he remembered them: just over five-and-a-half feet tall, dressed in the carved representations of princely robes and jewelry, with life-like rock crystal eyes and startling, white-painted hair.

"This is what Bakura looked like?"

"Oh, yes. It's him all right." Atem ground out the words as he stalked around the wooden trio like a predator circling potential prey. "If the likeness wasn't enough, the inscription-" He pointed to the hieroglyphs carved into the front apron of the kilt. "-proves it."

"What does it say?" Yugi was ashamed to admit it, but he had never learned to read the hieroglyphic writing beyond recognizing a few famous names.

Atem gave an inelegant snort. "Other than a lot of self-aggrandizement?" He bent to point out a specific collection of hieroglyphs. "Here's his name: 'Bakura, son of the Horus Akhnumkhanen, of his body.' Damn him. Will I never be rid of his malignant influence?"

Yugi hugged himself as a chill worked its way along his spine. "How did Bakura's ka statues end up in Anatolia?"

"His mother was a Hittite princess. Perhaps, he planned to be buried in her homeland." Atem frowned. "Although, if he wanted a Hittite burial, why bother with these? And, if he wanted a proper Egyptian burial-" Atem's tone made it clear he thought any other kind a travesty. "-why exile his spirit to a barbarian land?"

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Yugi found himself suppressing a grin. In Atem's question, he heard the echoes of an ancient prince horrified at the idea of his body being laid to rest outside the borders of his beloved Egypt. "Could he have had another reason for wanting to keep the statues with him?"

Atem stroked his chin as he considered the question. "I suppose so. Though what it might be, I've no idea."

"Since he's long gone, I suppose we'll never know." Stepping up beside Atem, Yugi slid an arm around his genie's waist. "The sooner we get these things back where they belong, the better. It's making me incredibly paranoid to have them here like this. What if someone sees them? What if someone steals them again? I'd hate to come this close to absolution just to end up back at square one."

The genie smirked at him. "Alakazam."

Golden light flared (Yugi had a feeling Atem was showing off a bit, as flashy light shows hadn't been a part of his earlier parlor tricks) and, when the blinding brightness faded, the statues were gone. Panic stabbed like an ice spear through Yugi's stomach. Arm tightening its hold on Atem, Yugi demanded, "Where'd they go?"

Wrapping his own arm around Yugi in turn, Atem led him over to the fireplace and pointed out the new trio of wooden figurines on the mantle. "No one will associate six-inch miniatures with the missing full-sized statues."

The genie was probably right, but Yugi gave him a well-deserved poke in the ribs for the smug tone in which the observation was delivered. At least he'd 'alakazam-ed' this time. "There's never a dull moment with you around, is there?"

"I have been called many things, my darling master, but 'dull' is not one of them."

Darling master? The words set off fresh heat in Yugi's face and a spate of butterflies Riverdancing in his stomach. Ignoring them both, he opened his mouth to try to get the conversation back on track - and was forestalled by the ringing of the doorbell. He wasn't sure whether to be relieved or annoyed at the interruption.

"Maybe your next wish should be for a butler." It seemed that Atem was coming down firmly on the annoyed side of the equation.

"Why do I need a butler? I have you, don't I?"

"You can have me right now, if you like." Atem's husky voice and hooded eyes almost made Yugi blurt out a wish for whoever was at the door to take an unscheduled trip to the Bahamas. (Or anywhere but here, really.) Atem licked his lips, leaning closer to Yugi, that familiar, wicked glint returning to his eyes. "But, really, master... You'd rather have me as a butler than a bed partner?"

Yugi took a blissful moment to picture the genie in his bed. Unfortunately, right on the heels of that came the far-less-pleasant image of Atem interacting with whatever unsuspecting visitor was darkening the doorstep. It was not a vision for the faint of heart. Words like "neighborhood watch," "psychiatric evaluation," and "arrest warrant" sprang to mind in conjunction with said vision.

"On second thought, why don't you wait here and I'll go see who's at the door?"

Atem smirked.

With a roll of his eyes, Yugi headed for the door, where the ringing of the bell had been replaced with the pounding of an impatient fist against wood.

"Jeez, I'm coming already," Yugi muttered, a frown settling into place as he swung open the door to confront his impatient caller. He found himself doing a credible imitation of a fish (mouth opening and closing in astonishment) at the cluster of unexpected visitors gathered on his doorstep: Téa, Joey, and Tristan, who were all arguing with... "Seto?"

"Did you invite this guy over, Yug'?" Joey had taken up a pugilistic stance, blocking Seto from getting any closer to the door.

"That's none of your business, Wheeler," Seto snapped, sparing him a dark glance before turning his attention to Yugi. "Do I need an invitation to visit my friend?"

"Of course not, but-"

"You'll have to take a number and move to the back of the line, Kaiba." Téa and Tristan flanked Joey, the three of them easily blocking the doorstep. "We were here first."

Yugi bounced on his toes, trying to see over the blockade his friends had formed. It was a disconcerting way to carry on a conversation. "Speaking of which, not that I'm not happy to see you, but what are you guys doing here?"

Téa tore her gaze away from glaring at Seto and glanced over her shoulder at Yugi. "Oh, we all felt bad about you and Atem having to bail on movie night, so we brought over some DVDs."

"I brought the popcorn and sodas," Tristan added.

"And I brought Atem a light snack." Joey held up a plastic shopping bag that sagged under the weight of the contents.

Tristan snorted. "You mean you bought out half the candy aisle from the local Safeway."

"That's what I said." Joey grinned. "I just hope half is enough. I've seen that guy eat. Anyone that can out-scarf Joey Wheeler deserves respect - and his own personal supply of Sugar Babies."

"Yeah, we wouldn't want to deprive you and Atem of your God-given right to eat yourselves into a sugar coma."

"Damn straight!"

"I think all that sugar has rotted your brain." Seto's growled insult dragged all their attention back to him.

"Nobody asked you, you-"

"Guys!" Yugi managed to elbow his way through the human barrier in order to get between Joey and Seto. "Why don't you go inside and set up the movie? I'll be there in a minute."

"Oh, c'mon, Yugi! You're not gonna listen to this jerk, are ya?"

"It's okay, Joey. Really." Yugi held Seto's gaze. "We're just going to talk."

"Yeah, sure..."

Tristan touched Yugi's shoulder. "You're sure about this, Yugi?"

"Yeah."

Tristan nodded. He shared a look with Tea. The two of them grabbed Joey and (over his very vocal protests) hustled him into the house, leaving Yugi alone with Seto Kaiba.

"What are you really doing here, Seto?" It wasn't an accusation. Yugi was genuinely curious. Yet again, Seto was surprising him with his unusual behavior.

Seto smirked at him. "We're friends, aren't we? Isn't this what friends do? 'Hang out'?"

"Uh... Sure." First friends and now hang out? What the hell was going on with Seto's unexpected expansion of his social-interaction vocabulary? Not even twenty-four hours ago, Yugi would've said that Seto Kaiba would voluntarily agree to pal around with Yugi's other friends at about the same time Atem learned how to look frumpy and unattractive: in other words, about five minutes after never. He squinted up at the taller man. "Are you feeling all right? You didn't, I dunno, fall and hit your head or something?"

Seto looked torn between being amused and affronted. "...What?"

"Sorry, it's just... You haven't been yourself lately." Yugi shook his head. "I mean, you've never wanted to 'hang out' with my other friends before."

Seto gave him a look that quite clearly said he didn't want to now. "I'm not here to apply for membership in your little geek squad, Yugi. I came to see you." He sighed. "Although, since the others are here, I suppose I'll have to endure their company, as well."

"Um...Okay?"

"Don't sound so pleased." Seto rolled his eyes. "Keep this up and you're going to make me think you don't want to see me."

"It's not that! I'm just really, really surprised, that's all." Yugi scratched the back of his neck, stalling for time while he tried to figure out what was going on and what he should do about it. Finally deciding to just go with it, he said, "So, you're going to join us for movie night?"

"Is that an invitation?"

"Hell no!" Joey shouted from inside the house. "Tell moneybags to go rent his own movie. Hell, he can rent his own damn theater. We don't need him bringin' down the tone of the proceedings."

Seto snorted. "Who fed him a thesaurus?"

"I know words!" Whatever else Joey might have added was muffled, presumably by Tristan's hand over his mouth.

Yugi shook his head. "Of course you're welcome to join us, Seto. I'm just surprised that you'd want to."

Looking past him into the house, an indecipherable look in his blue eyes, Seto chuckled. "Trust me, Yugi. Right now, I'm exactly where I want to be."