Shattered Puzzle Chapter 6
Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh
Yami sighed as he rested his head against the his propped up pillow. Atemu had really set up a great place for him to stay and Yami was beyond grateful for everything he had done for him. Just, a part of Yami was worried that this was going to strain Atemu's relationship with the rest of his friends and that was the last thing that Yami wanted to happen.
Atemu lightly knocked on the door to Yami's room before he peaked his head inside, "Hey, how are you feeling?" Atemu asked.
Yami shrugged, "Given the condition my body is in at the moment, about as good as can be expected." Yami said.
Atemu snorted, "Yeah, I already know that. I was more asking about your pain level. You can have another dose of pain meds now so if the pain starts to build up let me know. I don't want you letting the pain get so extreme that the medicine isn't able to dull it anymore." Atemu said.
Yami chuckled, "Thanks mom. I'll be sure to keep that in mind. But, as of right now its just a dull ache. I'll let you know if it gets any worse. I don't want to be completely dependent on those things so I'm trying to not take them if I can get away with it." Yami said.
Atemu nodded, "And that is fine. As I said, let me know and I will get them for you." Atemu said before he headed back out into the main part of his apartment. Atemu was only gone for a few moments before he came striding back in and handed Yami a box containing a brand new cellphone.
Yami frowned as he slowly reached out to accept the box, "Thanks, I think. But why did you buy me a new cellphone? And an expensive one at that?" Yami asked
Atemu frowned, "Well, considering that when I went to your apartment to collect you things you had 45 messages on your answering machine from a very concerned Mana and Mahado I thought that you would want to give them a call to let them know that you were in fact alright." Atemu said.
"And what was wrong with my old phone?" Yami asked.
Atemu shrugged, "I'm assuming it was destroyed in the accident. Regardless it wasn't recovered or in among your possessions at the hospital. So, I bought you a new one." Atemu said.
Yami sighed but nodded, "I'll pay you back for it." Yami said.
Atemu just rolled his eyes, "Don't worry about it. Consider it a belated birthday present." Atemu said.
Yami sighed but decided to let the matter drop. Atemu nodded once more, "Now, I'm going to go and work on making dinner and I'll leave you to make your phone calls in peace." Atemu said before he turned and headed back out into his apartment.
Yami sighed once more as he glanced down at the phone box before he opened it and pulled out the sleek new phone and turned it on. I should probably just call Mahado. Yami thought to himself and a part of him felt terribly guilty that it was now the eleventh of November and he hadn't thought to contact his business partner sooner.
Yami dialed Mahado's number before bringing the phone to his ear.
"Mr. Heka's office, how may I assist you?" A perky voice answered the phone.
Yami could not help the fond smile that appeared on his face, "Well, good evening to you too Mana. I was actually hoping that I could talk to Mahado for a few minutes. Is he still at the office or has he headed home for the evening?" Yami asked.
For a moment Mana was silent before she practically shouted, "Mr. Dark! Where in the world have you been? We've been worried sick about you."
Yami sighed, "Yes, I know and I apologize for worrying everyone. Can I talk to Mahado please?" Yami asked.
"Yes. Of course Mr. Dark. I'll get you transferred right over. Just a moment." Mana replied before Yami heard the brief notes of his office's hold music. Yami only listened to the music briefly before the phone was once again picked up although this time it was Mahado on the line.
"What the fuck happened to you Yami? Its been twelve days that no one has heard from you." Mahado growled down the phone.
Yami sighed, "I'm sorry for worrying you my friend. Its definitely been a very rough few days for me. I'm actually in Domino now." Yami said.
"Domino? Why the hell are you in Domino? Don't tell me your ex is giving you grief again." Mahado said.
Yami snorted, "I've spoken to Yugi briefly yes but that actually has nothing to do with why I'm in Domino." Yami replied.
"Then why don't you enlighten me." Mahado said briskly.
Yami sighed once more, mentally bracing himself for the explosion he knew his story was going to cause. "I'm in Domino right now because on Halloween I was apparently airlifted to Domino General Hospital."
"You were WHAT! Why the hell would you need to be airlifted to the hospital? What happened Yami? I think I deserve the full story." Mahado said.
Yami sighed, "When I was driving back to my apartment from work on Halloween my car ended up getting t-boned. I was in a coma for three days and apparently underwent multiple emergency surgeries before I regained consciousness on the 3rd. I was actually just released from the hospital today and I am still recovering from my injuries so I will be staying with Atemu for the duration of my recovery. Once I am back on my feet so to speak, I'll be back at the office." Yami said.
"To hell with you coming back to the office. You were seriously t-boned? Are you alright? What am I saying, of course your not. Not if you were in a coma for 3 days had to undergo emergency surgery." Mahado spluttered.
Yami snorted, "I'm alive at least. Shouldn't that count for something Mahado?" Yami replied.
Mahado sighed, "I guess that does count for something." Mahado muttered.
Yami sighed once more, "And I really hate to cut this conversation short Mahado but I think Atemu just finished making dinner. I'll probably give you a call in a few days to check in on how things are doing. Maybe after a while I can get a laptop booted up and start doing some work remotely." Yami offered.
Mahado snorted, "Lets not worry about getting you connected remotely right now and just focus on getting you recovered. The company will still be here when you get better."
Yami chuckled, "If you say so Mahado. I'll give you a call in a few days." Yami said.
"I'll talk to you in a few days Yami. Feel better." Mahado replied before Yami disconnected the call.
"You know you didn't have to cut your call short Yami. Dinner could wait for a little bit. Its nothing fancy and not something I couldn't reheat if I needed to." Atemu said.
Yami snorted, "Its fine Atemu, really. To be honest I am kind of hungry right now and I had already talked to Mahado about everything that I needed to." Yami said.
"Well, if your sure then lets get you out to the table to eat, unless you'd prefer to eat dinner in bed." Atemu asked.
Yami just shook his head, "I got more than enough eating meals in bed when I was stuck in the hospital. Any 'romantic' ideas about someone serving you food in bed kind of gets swept away when its your mother trying to feed you mushy peas." Yami said.
Atemu snorted, "Alright, then I guess I'll take you out to the table. Do you wan to be in your wheelchair or do you want me to just carry you?" Atemu asked.
Yami shrugged, "That will be up to you." Yami said.
Atemu shrugged as well, "Well, okay then. Suit yourself." Atemu replied before he pulled back the covers and picked Yami up in his arms before turning and heading out of the room. Yami's arms slipped around Atemu's shoulders to further steady himself as Atemu carried him through the apartment. Atemu came to a stop beside the table which already had a chair pulled out which he gently set Yami down on before straightening back up and pushing Yami's chair in and heading into the kitchen.
"And dinner is served." Atemu declared as he brought out a plate with some macaroni and cheese and some kielbasa. Yami couldn't help but smile.
"The single life has certainly benefited you Ate. You can cook." Yami said.
Atemu rolled his eyes, "Of course I can cook and this isn't a talent that I picked up in the last 5 months. I can cook just fine to get by. Living on only takeout is way too expensive." Atemu replied as he sat down with his own plate of food.
Yami shrugged, "If you say so." Yami replied before he began to dig into his food.
Atemu quirked a brow, "Is that what you were sustaining yourself on? If so it would explain the weight you'd gained." Atemu joked.
Yami chuckled, "Oh, ha ha very funny Ate. I'll have you know that I have not gained any weight. Thank you very much. And takeout isn't that bad. It just depends on what you chose." Yami replied.
Atemu nodded before the pair fell into a companionable silence as they both ate their respective meals. Their dinner was interrupted by the sound of Atemu's phone ringing. Atemu sighed as he set his fork down before standing up, "I'm sorry. I'll be right back Yami." Atemu said before he slipped his phone out of his pocket and wandered into the living room.
Yami just continued to eat making a concerted effort to not eavesdrop on Atemu's conversation. If Atemu wanted him to know who had called or what they had called about Atemu would tell him.
The call didn't take too long before Atemu returned to the table and was shoving his phone back into his pocket.
"Sorry about that." Atemu replied.
Yami shrugged, "It's fine. Your allowed to take a phone call Ate." Yami said.
Atemu shook his head, "No, its rude. Especially when your eating dinner with someone." Atemu replied.
Yami rolled his eyes, "And to think with an attitude like that how have you still not found someone?" Yami asked.
This time it was Atemu who shrugged, "To be perfectly honest. I haven't looked. I have more than enough going on in my life without adding romance into the mix." Atemu said.
Yami sighed, "Atemu, finding someone for you to spend your life with isn't a bad thing. Yes, it can complicate things. And yes there is a chance you'll get your heart stomped on. But, if you find someone that truly loves you and that you can be happy with it can be the best thing that has ever happened to you." Yami said.
Atemu snorted, "Would you classify your relationship with Yugi as the best thing that ever happened to you?" Atemu asked.
Yami sighed once more, his fork pushing the macaroni around on his plate as he fell silent. How would he classify what his relationship with Yugi had been like? Yes, in the end the relationship had ultimately ended up pain and failure but it wasn't all bad. There were a lot of good moments too. Did the good outweigh the bad? Yes, in Yami's mind it did. Even knowing how things turned out Yami would not have chosen to never go out with Yugi to begin with. Maybe not marry him but he at least would have still dated him to begin with.
"Maybe not the best thing that could have happened to me. But for a long time Yugi did make me very happy. And I did love him. Very much. Even though he ended up hurting me that doesn't change the fact that I did love him." Yami said.
Atemu sighted, "I'm sorry Yami, I shouldn't have brought it up. That was callous of me." Atemu said.
"No, you had a right to bring it up. And given what we were discussing it was actually the only thing you probably could have said." Yami replied.
"That doesn't mean I should have said it. Your divorce from Yugi is a touchy subject and it was wrong of me to bring it up out of the blue." Atemu said.
Yami chuckled, "And I said it was fine Atemu. You don't have to feel bad about it. Yugi and I did get divorced. It happened. I'm not going to bite your head off because you acknowledge that did happen." Yami said.
The two then fell silent as they continued to eat their dinner. Once Yami finished his food he counldn't help but pry a bit. It truly had never sat right with him that Atemu had never really dated anyone. Other than that one date in college where Yami set him up on a blind date with Akefia. All Yami heard about it was that the date was a disaster and Atemu had no desire to talk about it.
And he just didn't want his friend to end up alone forever. And now, based on what Atemu had said Yami couldn't help but wonder if his own failed relationship was playing a part in Atemu's decision to not find someone for himself.
"So, who was it that called you earlier? Kaiba with an update on your father?" Yami asked as Atemu cleared the dishes off the table.
"No, although he did text me earlier that said the Home Health Aide reported that everything has been going fine with him. No, Tea called me earlier." Atemu said.
Yami sighed. Great. Just great. Yami thought to himself before he forced himself to press on. Just because he and Tea were not getting along due to her siding with Yugi doesn't mean Yami needed to take that out on Atemu or that Atemu wasn't allowed to be friends with her. "Oh, and what did Tea want? You've been spending quite a bit of time with her Ate. Something you want to tell me?" Yami teased both to prod his friend and also cover up Yami's own discomfort when discussing Tea.
Atemu snorted as he walked back into the dining room and scooped Yami back up into his arms, "Why yes Yami, I can't believe it might have slipped my mind. Tea and I are getting married. She was just calling to remind me about my tux fitting tomorrow." Atemu sarcastically replied as he carried Yami back into the bedroom before gently placing him back on the bed.
Yami rolled his eyes, "Oh, ha ha very funny Ate." Yami replied.
Atemu chuckled, "Well, when you ask me a dumb question you get a dumb answer." Atemu replied.
Yami just shook his head, "You and her went to Gin City together. She spent the night here last night and she just called you. With anyone else those would be signs that they might be dating." Yami said.
Atemu shrugged, "Or that I was just helping a friend out. There is nothing going on between Tea and myself." Atemu said as he made big deal about fluffing Yami's pillows and adjusting them so that Yami would be comfortable.
"So, what did she want when she called earlier?" Yami asked.
Atemu sighed.
Flashback
"Yes Tea?" Atemu briskly answered the phone. His father had been a firm believer when Atemu was growing up that phone calls disrupting dinner was beyond rude. Then again Aknamkanon had also thought that the invention of cellphones was the beginning of the end of civilized society.
"Hey Atemu, I just was calling to find out how Yami is getting settled in." Tea said.
Atemu sighed, "He's settling in just fine. He and I were actually just siting down to eat dinner."
"Shit. Sorry Atemu, I didn't mean to disrupt your dinner." Tea said.
Atemu sighed, "Its fine. Is there anything else you wanted to talk to me about?" Atemu asked.
Tea was quiet for a moment, "Yes, actually there is. I wanted to know if you'd given any thought to the text message I sent you earlier. About you and I going out to dinner together." Tea said.
Atemu was quiet for a moment before he finally said, "I did read your message however I haven't really thought much about it at all. I've been focused on getting Yami settled in and making sure he's taken care of. That is my priority right now." Atemu said.
Tea sighed, "Right. I knew that. It was stupid of me to have asked. I knew that you weren't interested. I'm sorry I bothered you." Tea said before she abruptly hung up the phone and if Atemu didn't know better he would have thought that Tea had been crying.
End flashback
Atemu sighed, "Tea is going through a hard time right now and I think that is what the main problem is. She did break up with Tristan yesterday and I think she's trying to rebound and wants to rebound with me. And, I honestly don't want to really deal with that." Atemu said before he abruptly straightened up, "Now enough about Tea and my phone call from earlier. I'm going to go and get the shower running so we can get you bathed before bed." Atemu said.
Yami sighed, "Ate, you don't have to refuse to go out with Tea just because of me. You and her could be good together. She's liked you since forever." Yami said.
Atemu snorted as he turned to talk into the bathroom and turned on the shower before calling back, "And I am aware that she's been interested in me since we were in school. I was able to ignore it then and I can continue to ignore it now." Atemu said.
"Ignoring it doesn't magically make it go away Ate! One of these days your going to have to deal with it head on." Yami called back.
Atemu came back into the bedroom rolling his eyes, "And in the words of Aragorn from Lord of the Rings. It is not this day." Atemu said as he came to a stop beside Yami and reached out and tugged Yami's shirt over his head and set it aside.
"Oh come on Ate, what is the harm with you actually getting out there and finding someone? And Tea clearly wants to start something." Yami said.
Atemu turned his attention into getting Yami's pants and underwear off, his eyes locked firmly on the ground as he worked, "Can you not accept that I just don't want to find someone right now?" Atemu asked, his voice soft.
Yami frowned, "Not if you don't explain why you don't. I mean, your a great guy Atemu. I don't get why you never found someone to share your life with. When we were younger you used to talk about wanting to get married and have kids and now...you don't anymore. I guess I just don't get what changed." Yami said.
Atemu sighed before he straightened up scooping Yami's naked body up into his arms and carrying him into the bathroom. "What makes you think that something has changed other than watching my best friend as he was taken advantage of, mistreated before ultimately getting thrown aside like he was a piece of garbage by someone who had professed to love him? Thanks but no thanks. I have no interest in being a part of that." Atemu said bitterly before he set Yami down on the chair in the shower and pulled down the shower head.
Yami sighed, "Atemu, look what happened to me and Yugi...that was different." Yami said slowly.
Atemu snorted as he focused on washing Yami's feet and legs while Yami just sat there. "Of course. What happened to you and Yugi wasn't the norm. That is why half of marriages nowadays end in divorce." Atemu muttered darkly before adding, "Sounds like its the norm to me."
"Atemu." Yami whispered as he rested his hand comfortingly on Atemu's shoulder not that Atemu was even looking at him. He seemed determined to have a starring contest with Yami's feet.
Atemu rolled his eyes before placing Yami foot back on the bottom of the tub and turning his attention to washing Yami's torso. Yami could do that himself and almost said as much but then thought better of it. Atemu was just helping him and Yami didn't want to come across as ungrateful. Atemu finished washing Yami's torso before he straightened up and turned his attention to wetting down Yami's hair and opened a bottle of shampoo.
"Fine. You win. After I get you dried off and into your pajamas I will call Tea back and tell her that I would love to go out on a date with her. Will that make you happy?" Atemu said.
Yami quirked a brow he really didn't understand where all of this was coming from. "This shouldn't be a case of you conceding to do something that I wanted you to do Atemu. If you don't wan to go out with Tea then don't. I just don't want you to spend the rest of your life alone because of what happened between me and Yugi. You deserve better than that. That's all I was trying to say." Yami said.
Atemu snorted as he flicked off the shower and carefully scooped the wet, naked Yami out of the tub and set him down on the toilet before he grabbed a towel and began toweling Yami's body off. "And yet I am still doing what you want me to do. This way you can stop worrying about me ending up alone. I'm not saying I'm going to marry Tea or anything ridiculous like that. One date and then we can both part ways still as friends and you can drop the matter all together." Atemu said.
Yami groaned, "You're so stubborn Atemu."
Atemu shrugged, "And that is not always a bad thing. Although, I find the fact that you accuse me of being stubborn when I bend to your wishes as a tad ironic." Atemu said.
Yami rolled his eyes, "No you are being stubborn and you know it. You are still refusing to give a relationship a chance. Your just humoring me by agreeing to go out on a single date." Yami replied.
Atemu shrugged once more before he walked over to the dresser and pulled out a pair of sleep pants and a t-shirt for Yami to wear. He first tugged the shirt over Yami's head. "Are you saying you don't want me to go out with Tea? Because the longer this conversation goes the less clear it becomes exactly what it is you even want me to do." Atemu said before he pulled on Yami's sleep pants and once more got Yami situated comfortably in the bed.
Yami sighed, "All I want is for you to be happy Atemu. Nothing more than that and I believe that you getting out there and dating might allow for you to be happy." Yami said.
Atemu got Yami once more situated in the bed so that his back was properly supported against the pillows. "And I told you that I agreed to do exactly that." Atemu replied before he turned and strolled out of the room. He came back in a few moments later holding his cellphone. Yami gave him a questioning look.
"I figured you would want to listen to my phone call with Tea."Atemu replied before he clicked on Tea's contact number and hit dial. The sound of the phone ringing could be heard by both men since Atemu had also apparently put the phone on speaker.
Tea picked up on the third ring. "Hey Atemu, what's up?" Tea asked.
Atemu sighed, "Sorry for calling you so late. I just finished getting dinner cleaned up and giving Yami a bath and putting him into bed." Atemu said. Yami playfully flipped Atemu off. The way Atemu had said that made him sound like he was a child that a parent had been taking care of. Although the smirk on Atemu's face told Yami he'd said it that way intentionally.
"No, its fine Atemu. You can call me whenever. You know that. So, what's up?" Tea asked.
Atemu sighed once more, "I thought more about what you texted me and I've decided what the hell. I haven't been on a date since I was in college." Atemu said.
For a few moments Tea was quiet before he said, "You don't have to go out with me Atemu if you don't wan to. The last thing I want to do is to guilt you into something. It was wrong of me to spring it on you like I did. You have a ton going on right now." Tea said.
Atemu turned his attention back onto Yami and mouthed, 'see, Tea gets it.'
Yami rolled his eyes before mouthing back, 'no Tea just doesn't want to force you into a pity date.'
Atemu turned his attention back onto the phone call, "You are absolutely right that I do have a lot of stuff going on in my life right now. But, that doesn't mean me getting out for an evening is going to hurt anything. In fact it might be good for me to have an evening out. Give me a chance to de-stress." Atemu said.
"Are you sure Atemu?" Tea asked softly before adding, "I mean we can just as easily just get together as friends and still have an evening out. I-I-I'm sure Yugi, Ryou and Malik could join us. And maybe even Joey and Mai. Or Kaiba if he was willing to take a rare evening off. Would you prefer that instead?" Tea asked.
Atemu sighed, "No, I would not. Because if it was going to be a group of us getting together I would bring Yami with me and the last thing I want to spend my evening doing is mediating what would no doubt turn into a massive fight. So, do you want to go out on a date with me or not?" Atemu asked. Atemu turned and once more shot Yami a pointed look mouthing, 'there, happy? I asked her out.'
Yami rolled his eyes again and mouthed, 'you are terrible Atemu!'
Tea was quiet for a second before she finally replied, "I-I would love to go out on a date with you Atemu."
Atemu nodded once although whether the gesture was directed towards Tea, who couldn't see it, or Yami would clearly could Yami wasn't sure. "Then its settled. Does tomorrow night work for you or would another night be more convenient?"
Yami groaned. 'You are the absolute least romantic person I have ever met.' Yami mouthed.
Atemu just rolled his eyes and flipped Yami off.
"Tomorrow night would be great! I am off tomorrow so I wouldn't be on any sort of a time crunch." Tea said.
"Great, then its settled. I'll meet you by the clock tower tomorrow lets say around 6. It'll give me enough time to make sure Yami has been fed and is all set until I get back to put him to bed." Atemu said.
This time it was Yami who flipped Atemu off, which for some reason made Atemu grin.
"Or I could just swing by your apartment and pick you up." Tea offered.
Yami nodded briskly and mouthed 'say yes you idiot! This isn't a blind date where you've never met the person before.'
Atemu shrugged and rolled his eyes, "Which ever you would prefer Tea, it doesn't matter to me." Atemu said.
"I'll pick you up tomorrow. Does six still work for you?" Tea asked.
Atemu nodded, "Yes, six is fine. I'll be ready by then. What do you want to do? I mean I know that you had mentioned dinner in your text message." Atemu asked.
Tea was quiet for a few moments, "Well, I guess I am pretty open. Is there anything that you want to do in particular?" Tea asked.
Atemu shrugged, "Not particularly no. Dinner sounds fine to me. After all, we both need to eat." Atemu said.
Yami facepalmed.
Tea chuckled, "Sounds great. So, I'll pick you up tomorrow at six. See you then Atemu." Tea said.
"See you then Tea. Good night." Atemu said before he hung up the phone.
"There! Satisfied?" Atemu asked.
Yami groaned, "Atemu that was probably the worst I've ever heard of someone setting a date. At no point did you act particularly like you even wanted to go. If Tea didn't already like you she certainly wouldn't based on that interaction." Yami said.
Atemu shrugged, "I'm not really looking for someone so it doesn't really matter. You are right, this will be good for Tea and even though I called it a date I still look at it as two friends having dinner together. Nothing more than that." Atemu said.
Yami groaned once more, "You are terrible Atemu! Absolutely terrible." Yami muttered.
Atemu rolled his eyes, "So, do you want to watch a movie or something before you go to bed tonight? And while we're on the subject do you want to start out on your back or on your stomach or one of your sides? I'll have to rotate you in 2 hours." Atemu said.
Yami shrugged, "Sure, I guess we could watch a movie. I'm not really tired right now." Yami said.
Atemu nodded before he flicked on the television in Yami's room before he started flicking through the channels before he stopped on one of the star wars movies that was on. Yami couldn't help but smile before Atemu sat down on the bed beside Yami and draped an arm around his shoulders. "Now doesn't this bring back memories." Atemu whispered.
Yami chuckled, "Of you and me spending hours watching Star Wars together. Yes, it does." Yami said as he rested his head lightly on Atemu's shoulder as the two settled down to enjoy the movie together.