Yami could only remember ever being this livid once before, and it was a time that continued to haunt his dreams. He narrowly held onto his fury by a fine thread as his hand tightened around the slender neck of the creature who had dared to defile what was his. It would take nothing more than one good squeeze to completely snap the vertebrae of his prey; he was but a mortal worm, and it would take no more effort to decapitate him than it would for Yami to swat away a fly. Kill, his Immortal instincts demanded. Drain its blood, annihilate the human. With each pathetic gasp and gulp of air the human attempted to take, Yami's grasp tautened. Its hands instinctively fumbled about, desperately clawing at Yami's firm hold. The sounds escaping its mouth were as delicious to Yami's ears as its blood would be on his tongue. Its warm brown eyes rolled to the back of its head. Yami's teeth grinded together as he prepared to finish it off—

"Yami?" a soft voice sounded from behind them. Yami blinked, the darkness completely draining from his eyes as he immediately dropped the human to the ground. He fell in a crumpled heap as Yami brought his hand to his forehead, breathing heavily. Ra, what was he about to do to that kid? He swallowed thickly, shaking his head as if to rid himself of the dark thoughts that were consuming him. A soft hand touched his cheek, then his forehead. Yami flinched involuntarily. "Yami, are you okay?"

His eyes finally cleared as he looked down into two beautiful amethyst eyes lit with concern. Yugi. He brought his own hand up to cup Yugi's, but stopped halfway, letting it drop. He looked away, hesitantly pulling his face away from the small hand. He didn't have to see the hurt in those eyes to know that it was there.

"Yami, are you—"

"Why did you come here, Yugi?" Yami demanded, sadness and anger lacing his words. "Why did you lie to me? To your grandfather?"

"Yami, you don't understand. I was just trying to—"

"Do you have any idea what that creep could have done to you out here? Where no one would hear you scream?" Yami's eyes snapped closed, his hands balling into fists. "Ra, Yugi, what if I hadn't been here? What if…" He knew he didn't need to finish.

"I thought I could handle it, handle him, I mean."

"I begged you to stay away from him, Yugi."

"Yami, I tried. He just wouldn't listen. Please believe me." Yugi took a step closer, but Yami took two steps backwards. If he looked into those eyes, he would melt, and he needed to keep his grounding. His lip trembled as he asked the question that was eating away at his very soul.

"Do you…do you care about him? You risked so much coming out here, Yugi. You felt the need to lie to me. Why, Yugi? I thought…I thought…" Damn, his voice cracked. He mustn't show how miserable he was. He had to be strong.

Yami didn't miss the many emotions that passed Yugi's features. Alarm, confusion, sadness…a touch of anger, and finally regret. So…it was true? Yugi loved Joey? This was too much. He turned away to face the unconscious teen on the ground. Anger burned his insides. Yugi's hand reached for his wrist, turning him around, but before he could react, there were lips on his own. That did it. Yami melted. His arms instinctively curled around Yugi's back urgently, a small whine escaping his lips. How he loved this little human. He couldn't let him go. He wouldn't. Yugi pulled away from the kiss, pressing their foreheads together and breathing roughly.

"I love you, Yami. There's only you. Never doubt that." Yugi seemed angered that Yami would even ask him such a thing. "I'm sorry I lied, Yami. I just didn't want you to worry. Joey insisted on meeting me at the library. For some reason, I couldn't say no. So I came to let him down easily, to make him get the hint. I suppose you saw how well that went. Something weird happens to me when I'm around Joey. My mind goes to mush, and I have no control over my body. It's scary, Yami. I thought it was just a coincidence the first time, but this time…when he kissed me, I felt so weak. I was about to pass out. Luckily you showed up. Thank you, Yami. Thank you." Yugi kissed him again, and Yami felt relief flood his senses. He released Yugi, though kept a strong grip on his hand. This news was unsettling, but it was getting late, and Yugi still looked exhausted despite the kiss being cut short.

"Let's go home, little one. We will figure this out after you've had some rest."

"But, what about Joey? We can't just leave him out here, Yami."

Yami sighed. Of course his pure Yugi would still care about what would become of his would-be molester. "He is not my concern," he stated, tugging Yugi away from the lakeside. He felt Yugi's reluctance. "But I will take care of it after I have tended to you, if that is what you wish, little one."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

"Hello?"

"Mr. Moutou."

"Yami?"

"Yes sir."

"You…you found Yugi?"

"Yes."

"And he's safe? He's not hurt?"

"He's here with me, though he is sleeping."

"But he's alright?"

"Yes sir. I just wanted to call you, so that you would not worry, and could get some sleep tonight."

"…"

"Sir?"

"Yes, thank you, Yami. Thank you so much."

"Of course, Mr. Moutou."

"Yami, can I ask you something?"

"Alright."

"And you'll answer honestly?"

"…I will answer your question to the best of my ability."

"If you believe it to be better that I don't know the answer, you just remain quiet, alright? And I won't judge you either way."

"Yes, okay."

"You love my grandson, don't you?"

"…I do very much, sir."

"And he loves you."

"Indeed he does."

"Yami…you're not from here, are you?"

"I…I am not from Domino."

"You're…not like me and Yugi, are you?"

"…"

"You're a bit older than eighteen, right?"

"…I have been eighteen for a little while, sir."

"…Alright, Yami. You have a good night, alright? Take care of Yugi for me, won't you? You'll keep him safe?"

"I will protect him with my own life, sir."

"Thank you. Oh, and Yami?"

"Mr. Moutou?"

"Your secret is safe with me."