Chapter 8:

"Now, explain to me why you and Mr. Wheeler cannot complete this project as partners, Yugi?"

Yugi sighed in exasperation, running his hand down the length of his face in slight frustration. After a trying fourth period with Joey attempting to get any miniscule amount of their assignment done, Yugi had given in. Joey was making it clear that despite the previous night's events, he still was planning on pursuing Yugi. Poor Yugi tried desperately to even start the project as the other students in his class had, but his partner insisted on hindering any chance of that with flirtatious comments and gestures throughout the entire period. He had no choice but to try to get something done on his own while trying to ignore Joey's playful ways, but this was turning out to truly be a two man assignment. At the rate this was going, Yugi had many long nights of work ahead of him.

Now he was at his wit's end, and when the bell rang to dismiss class and begin lunch, Yugi waited patiently for all the other students to file out of the classroom so that he could convince his teacher to reassign lab partners. HE was hoping since he had known this teacher since his freshman year, that he'd cut him some slack. It was the last resort. Otherwise, he would have to tell Yami that he would be spending the next three weeks with his stalker…and that was not going to go over well. So far, the conversation with Mr. Lee was not going too smoothly.

"Because, sir, Joey and I just cannot work together. "

Mr. Lee adjusted his thick glasses on his nose and shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't see why."

"It's complicated," Yugi insisted, not wanting to give too much away. He couldn't come out and tell his teacher that Joey had been harassing him. That would open a can of worms that he could not deal with right now. "Joey and I…we don't have the best history together."

The young teacher leaned back in his chair, tilting his head to the side in confusion. "What do you mean, Yugi?" Dark brown eyes narrowed in concern and he lowered his voice to just above a whisper. "Has Joey been bullying you? Do I need to report him?"

Yugi shook his head furiously. No way was he going down that road. He and Yami—well, mostly Yami—could handle Joey. He didn't need teachers and staff prying, asking questions, or bringing his grandfather into this mess. "It's not like that, Mr. Lee," Yugi assured him quickly, noting how the teacher seemed instantly relieved and appeased. "We just don't have good chemistry."

"Well, it's a good thing this is biology class then."

Yugi inwardly groaned.

"Sir, please."

"Yugi, listen," Mr. Lee stood from his seat and rounded his desk so that he could stand next to Yugi, laying a comforting hand on Yugi's shoulder. "I'm sorry if this makes you a bit uncomfortable. I know Mr. Wheeler is…an acquired taste, but if anyone can help whip him into shape, it's you. You're a bright kid. Besides, your class has an even number of students. There's no one else I can partner you with." He offered Yugi a small smile. "Just give it a go. Who knows? By the end of all this you two may even become friends." Yugi shrugged the hand of his shoulder and shook his head.

For some reason he sincerely doubted that.

This time Yami was waiting outside Yugi's classroom when he walked out. Yugi couldn't help but smile, despite the situation he'd found himself in. Yami truly was a gorgeous man. He was leaning against the wall of lockers opposite Yugi's bio class, arms folded loosely across his chest. Yugi could see the slight concern in his ruby eyes, but they brightened the minute he had seen Yugi. They always did. How had he gotten so lucky? He strode quickly over to the taller teen, burying his face in his chest. Yami immediately engulfed him into a hug, unprepared for the sudden affection and sensing something was wrong.

"Yugi?"

"Hm," Yugi hummed into Yami's chest. "Just a rough period. And I missed you."

Yami's eyes softened and he reluctantly pulled Yugi away from him to get a good look at him. He could see the slight fatigue in his darkened eyes. He brushed a stray band out of his face and tucked it behind his ears. "What happened, Yugi? Is everything alright?"

"Can we talk about it later? I just want to enjoy the rest of lunch with you," Yugi said. He was annoyed and frustrated and tired and just needed some normality in his life. He didn't want to worry about Joey or school or this project or anything right now. He just wanted Yami. Yami hesitantly agreed, Yugi's hand slipping into his as he was half-dragged towards the courtyard. Yami sat down gracefully in the grass as Yugi plopped down and laid his head in his lap, his eyes slipping closed as he released a content sigh. Yami smiled warmly and begin raking his fingers through his little one's soft hair. It was obvious Yugi was quite tense, and Yami couldn't blame him. He had been put through a lot since they had met, and though Marik had finally been disposed of, he couldn't seem to catch a break.

"We were assigned lab partners in biology today." Yugi's voice broke through Yami's musings, and he ceased his calming motions to look down into weary purple eyes. "Guess who I was paired with."

Yami's shoulder drooped as he released an irate growl. There just was no getting away from this kid. He should have just finished him off the night before while he had the chance. "That's not going to happen."

"I tried talking to Mr. Lee, Yami. He won't give me another partner. I'm stuck with him. For three weeks."

Yami swallowed but forced the anger scorching his veins to subside, taking in fully just how upset Yugi was. "You won't be alone with him, Yugi."

Yugi sat up and pulled his knees to his chest. "This project is a two-person job, Yami. If you're hovering around every time we work on it, we'll fail for sure. Joey can't stand you."

"Yeah, well the feeling is mutual," Yami muttered under his breath, earning him an irritated sigh from Yugi. "What do you expect me to do, Yugi? The last time you were alone with him—"

"Don't remind me," Yugi interrupted. "We'll meet at the library. It's public enough, I guess. I just have to get through three weeks of this. The sooner we start, the sooner we're done."

"Yugi, I don't like this. Whenever you're around him…it's weird. Like you're under some spell." Yami didn't want to mention the nagging feeling in the back of his head. He had seen the adoration in Yugi's eyes last night when he stared back at Joey, and though Yugi had assured him otherwise, his own insecurities continued to plague his every thought. Yugi seemed to read his thoughts, and his irritation melted into understanding.

"Yami, you know there's only you. I'm sorry I lied to you last night, really I am," Yugi said quietly, turning towards the older teen to bring a small hand to his cheek to ease Yami's concerns. Yami nuzzled Yugi's hand and then kissed his palm. He delighted in the happiness that lit Yugi's eyes at the small gesture. How he loved this human. He would be damned if someone as irrelevant as Wheeler would take him away from him. Yugi was his.

"I know, I'm sorry."

"Still, you're right. Something happens to me when Joey and I are alone," Yugi consented, his smile being replaced by a deep frown.

"Then I won't let you be alone," Yami said matter-of-factly, using a hand to silence Yugi before he could protest. "I'll watch from a distance, Little One. He won't know I'm there, and you two can finish this meddlesome task."

"How? I mean, won't he see you?"

"Please," Yami snorted with a roll of his eyes, "give me some credit. I'm a centuries-old Immortal. I can easily stay hidden from a human." Yugi laughed at the annoyance in Yami's voice despite the situation. His Yami was so competitive. He checked his watch, noting that the lunch period was just about over now and neither of them had even eaten. Oh well. At least he was feeling less tense about the situation.

"You don't have to do that, Yami. I don't want to inconvenience you."

Yami shook his head, pulling Yugi in his lap and setting his chin on his small shoulder in the crook of his neck. "It's no inconvenience. Yugi, you are my life now. I only want to protect you. Besides, I plan to do vigils of the city starting tonight, to search for Tristan's murderer."

Yugi had forgotten all about that, suddenly feeling guilty about complaining about his own trivial problems when there were much bigger issues in Domino at the moment. "Oh, Yami, that's too much. You're overextending yourself. Really, I'm sure I can handle Joey."

"My mind is made up."