*peeks head in* Hello? Anyone in here? /: Haha, okay, I'm really sorry guys. I bet it seemed like I was abandoning this story, but I swear I'm not! I'm back!

-Mystie

Chapter 4:

This was stupid. No, this was beyond stupid. This was insane.

Yugi couldn't believe what he had agreed to. A walk…in the park…at night…with a STRANGER. Okay, maybe Joey wasn't a complete stranger, but Yugi certainly didn't know him well enough to be alone with him. It was dangerous and foolish, and if Yami found out, he would be enraged. Yugi had no idea what kind of spell Joey seemed to put him under; yet whenever he was near, and he looked directly into Joey's honey brown eyes, every rational thought seemed to evaporate, along with his hold on his own will. It was weird…and scary. It had happened twice now, and Yugi wanted answers. Even Yami didn't have that effect on him.

It was because of this—his intense curiosity—that he had yet to call Joey and completely cancel their outing. (Well, that, and he had no idea how to even get in contact with the freaky teen.) He had even kept their meeting from Yami for the rest of the day, insisting that he had a mountain of homework to do, and that he would see Yami in the morning. Yami had been skeptical, and Yugi had a feeling that the Immortal didn't believe him. However, Yami was never one to push or prod Yugi into something he didn't want, and after walking him home after school and giving him a deep kiss, he had left Yugi to his own. Besides, Yugi thought with guilty bite of his lip, Yami trusted him. The guilt and shame for lying to Yami weighed heavily on Yugi's conscience. He tried to soothe the burning remorse by ensuring himself that he hadn't technically lied about the ordeal…he had merely omitted the information. Of course, that did little to appease his mind.

Why was he doing this anyway? After all the danger he had been in the past few months—dealing with bullies and thugs at school, along with the crazed Marik—why was he putting himself in harm's way? Well, for one, he didn't feel Joey was dangerous, per se. He was hormonal and flirtatious, sure. But he was no Marik. There was more to it than that, though. Yugi had something to prove to himself. Before he met Yami, he had run away from anything that seemed potentially unsafe. Then, after meeting Yami, he had taken great comfort in knowing that he would always be protected wrapped in the Immortal's strong arms. Yugi just wanted to prove that he could be brave without the ever-watchful gaze of Yami's, that he could hold his own in some situations. It wasn't as if he didn't appreciate Yami's protectiveness; in fact he adored it. He just needed a little self-assurance. Maybe he couldn't handle murderous Immortals, but he was certain he could deal with Joey himself.

Besides, he was just another human like he was.

Joey had made sure to almost completely disappear into the crowd of students after coercing Yugi to meet him at the library earlier that day. It was a good thing, too, since Yami had shown up only seconds later, apologizing to Yugi for being late. Yugi was still trying to wrap his mind around what had happened, yet he refrained from filling Yami in. Not only would Yami have overreacted and blown the situation out of proportion, but he would probably feel a little guilty about leaving Yugi vulnerable. So Yugi remained silent about it all, and now, alone in his room, he was starting to get anxious. It was 7:45, and he would leave to meet Joey at the park in about five minutes. He had convinced himself to be brave all day, but now that the time was coming that he would have to listen…well, he was having second thoughts. He jumped three feet out of his skin when he heard a knock on his bedroom door.

"Yugi? Are you okay in there?" Grandpa asked, pushing open the door slightly and peeking in. Yugi threw on a slightly forced smile, swallowing his nerves.

"I'm fine, Grandpa. Why do you ask?" He hoped his voice didn't betray him.

"Well, you've been in your room since you got home from school, my boy," he explained. He looked around the room curiously. "That, and there's no sign of Yami. Did you two have a fight?" Yugi swallowed thickly again, his mind quickly (and surprisingly) concocting a lie.

"Of course not, Grandpa. Yami just had a lot of homework to do. You know…being a senior and all," he lied. "Actually, I'm heading over to his apartment in a minute to see him for a few hours…if that's okay with you?" His grandfather hesitated for a second, then nodded slowly, as if he didn't quite believe his grandson. Once again, Yugi found himself feeling guilty for misusing the trust his grandpa had in him, but it was necessary. Yugi mentally decided that he would put in a few extra hours of work in the shop over the weekend to make up for his lie. Grandpa told him to make sure he took a jacket with him, and then left him alone again in his room. Yugi released a shaky breath. It was now or never.

Less than five minutes later, Yugi was on his way towards the park to meet Joey. It was a good thing he had listened to Grandpa about the jacket—it really was pretty cold outside. It was dark, and Yugi made sure to stay in the lit path that led to the park. He stopped a few times, thinking someone was following him. Yet, there was no one. He picked up speed and arrived at the park right at eight. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and glanced around for Joey. Maybe…maybe he wouldn't show up after all. Yugi wasn't sure if that would make him happy or piss him off. He was a bit terrified, so Joey's going AWOL would certainly be no skin off his nose. But he had worked up the nerve to come here alone, dammit. He had lied to Yami and his grandpa. Joey had better show up for all the crap he had put him through.

Yugi sat down under the tallest willow tree. It was a spot that was familiar to him. It was…his and Yami's spot. They had had picnics, talked, kissed, and cuddled many a time under this particular tree. The memories warmed Yugi's chest, and he found himself smiling. When he heard footsteps, however, his head snapped up, and he was greeted with soft brown eyes and a playful smirk.

"Yug'," Joey began, offering Yugi a hand to stand up, "you came. I kinda thought you wouldn't." Yugi brushed himself off. "Whatcha smilin' for?"

"Just thinking about something, is all," Yugi responded. "As for coming…well, I told you I would, so here I am." He shrugged nervously.

"Walk with me?"

"…sure."

The two made their way back onto the cobble path that winded through the park, their heels clicking on the stones. Yugi wasn't sure what to say, so he remained quiet. Joey watched him carefully, but Yugi acted as if he didn't notice. When they stopped, Yugi realized they were in front of the lake that was almost a mile from the willow tree. It was not the most well-lit area, and it was deathly quiet and empty, save for the cicadas and other bugs.

"I thought you wouldn't show," Joey repeated, his smirk still in place. "And I figured you would've told your crazy boyfriend, and he would show up and try to beat my ass or somethin'."

Yugi barely contained a giggle. "No, it's fine. But I'm curious why you asked me here, Joey. I mean, I made it obvious today that I'm…uninterested. Yami…he's my world, and he doesn't really care for you."

"Yeah, he made that more than clear," Joey said. "But I can't help how drawn I feel towards you, Yugi." Yugi bit his lip. "See that? That right there, what you're doing with your lip? That just lures me in even more."

Yugi furrowed his brows in confusion. "Biting my lip? I do that when I don't know what to say. It's just a bad habit." Yugi shook his head, taking a slight step back. This was certainly getting weird.

"It's a sexy habit."

Yugi cleared his throat, itching to change the subject. "R-really, Joey, I just wanted to come tonight to make it clear for once th-that we can't do this…this…whatever this is. I wanted to tell you at the library, but it just seems like every time I look into your eyes, I—" Yugi paused. Joey was suddenly very, very close. "I…" He tried to step back again to put space between them, but found that Joey had apparently grabbed his wrists, keeping him in place. Not to mention…he was captivated by those eyes. Again.

"You…?" Joey's voice was almost a purr now.

"I…can't look away."

"Can't, or don't want to?"

"J-Joey, please," Yugi managed out. His will was slipping again, but this time he was aware of it, and fighting it. What the hell was he thinking coming out here alone? Now he was scared. Now…he wanted Yami. Joey, whose smirk had yet to disappear, was leaning in close now. Yugi knew what he was going to do, and he did NOT want it.

But he couldn't move.

"Joey, stop, p-please!" he forced out. He was fighting helplessly against something he couldn't see, some force that kept him bound like chains. "Don't…mmph!" Joey's lips lowered themselves onto Yugi's. Yugi felt his eyes slip closed, his legs almost collapsing beneath him. This kiss…it was weakening him, and not in the good way. His own lips moved involuntarily against Joey's, and he felt his breathing slowing. He was going to lose consciousness. Joey pulled back slightly, and Yugi was able to crack open his eyes. Staring back at him were not the golden brown of Joey's eyes. Instead, they were lilac with red rims. This…this should alarm Yugi, but his mind couldn't piece together why. Before he could think again, Joey's lips were on his again.

He was milliseconds from a blackout when a furious growl sounded from behind him.

Okay, hopefully this makes up for my absence. I promise I will never ever go this long without updating again! I can has reviews?