Chapter 16:

Yami couldn't take it anymore.

He thought that he could go on with his life and let Yugi go, but he couldn't. Even the thought of going one more day without even laying eyes on the beautiful teen seemed unbearable. The hold that Yugi had on Yami's heart was much too strong. His every thought was plagued with images of large, amethyst eyes and wild golden hair. When he closed his eyes, Yami imagined holding him, pushing unruly bangs out of his rounded face, rubbing his fingers across stunningly-pale skin. Though his body didn't demand either, he couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, couldn't think about anything or anyone else. He had to see him, to talk to him.

Yami knew what he had seen. In fact, he had done everything in his will power to unsee it; yet, try as he might, the vision of Yugi's lips captured by that…that dog wouldn't leave him be. There was no getting past what he had happened, no twisting or contorting it to where it made sense (Ra knows he had certainly tried), but Yami could not deny himself any longer. So Yugi had made a mistake…that's what it was, right? Yugi still loved him or why else would he have come to Yami's apartment a few days ago? Right?

Right?

Yami couldn't imagine a world where he and Yugi were not together. Without him, Yami was just a vessel without a soul. Though his heart had long since stopped beating, it still yearned for Yugi. Without him, Yami felt as if he wasn't really living, just existing day-to-day. There was no joy, no laughter. He was at a point of just being. It was time to stop living in denial. He needed his Yugi. They would…work together to get past this. They had to. Yami didn't know what he would do if they couldn't.

So it was for this reason that he was determinedly making his way through downtown towards Kame Game Shop, weaving around the scant crowds of busy people with his hands in his pocket. Yes, he was excited to see Yugi, but he was also incredibly anxious. What would he say? What would he do? How would Yugi react? Did he even want to talk to him, see him? Yami swallowed uneasily, his dead heart a heavy rock in his chest. He shook his head to rid himself of the bad vibes and thoughts. He had to do this. He could not go on like this.

"So you're bailing on me again?" Yami stopped in his tracks, recognizing the thickly-accented voice of the last person on Earth he wanted to hear at that moment. Joey was but two-hundred feet in front of him, backpack hanging from his back. Annoyed people meandered around him and whoever he was yelling at, who stood directly before him, blocked by Joey's lanky form.

But the next voice he heard was enough to almost turn Yami's legs to pudding.

"Joey, go home," Yugi's irritated voice said, and Yami instantly bolted to the alley next to him, leaning against the edge of the brick wall and peeking inconspicuously around it so that he could still get hear the pair argue. "I don't have time for this. I don't know how I can be any clearer. I'm uninterested."

Yami's insides twisted painfully, though he was unsure if the feeling was out of confusion or hopefulness. Yugi was thwarting Joey's advances? What had happened in the few short days for this to happen? Joey jerked Yugi's arm roughly—roughly enough for Yami to barely keep himself from reacting—and turned him to face him. A startled gasp tumbled out of Yami's lips as he laid eyes on his beloved for the first time in a long time. Though his lovely face was contorted in anger, to Yami, he looked more beautiful than ever.

"Why are you so afraid?" Joey yelled. Yami watched as Yugi brought a bandaged hand up to Joey's line of vision and blamed him for everything bad in his life. Yami's eyes flashed dangerously to black. Had Joey hurt the love of his life? Had he dared to lay a single paw on what was his? Yami tried to control his breathing as flashes of Yugi banging murderously on his apartment door played before his eyes.

Oh.

Joey continued to probe an unwavering and thoroughly insulted Yugi until he grasped his hand, his eyes softening to a point that Yami wouldn't think possible for the gruff Joey Wheeler. "I know that right now you're feeling, and like it or not, you're alone because Yami abandoned you." Yami felt as if he had suddenly been punched in the gut. "If he really loved you, he wouldn't be puttin' you through this, Yugi. He'd listen to you."

Wait…was Yugi in pain? Was Yami unintentionally hurting Yugi? Did he really feel abandoned? That didn't make sense! Yugi had emotionally abandoned him. He knew was he had seen. Could Yami have been wrong? Oh, Gods, if he had somehow been wrong…then he had abandoned Yugi. He hadn't given him a chance to explain. Yami was brought out of his self-loathing as he heard the sound he would've died a thousand times to never hear again. Yugi crying. He watched as Joey carefully pulled the sobbing Yugi to his chest. Jealously and possessiveness burned his throat, but for some reason, he felt that he had no right to feel these things. If he was the cause of both of their grief, what right did he have to be jealous of someone touching Yugi? Before he knew what was happening, Yami felt hot tears rolling down his own cheeks.

What had he done?

He clenched his eyes tight. He didn't deserve Yugi. He continued to hurt him, over and over again. Yami was ready to let him go. It was for the best for them both.

"But Joey, I love him." Yami inhaled sharply. Had he heard correctly? He forced himself to listen more. "I know he's hurting me right now, but I really can't blame him. A-and I'll wait for him if I have to, as long as it takes. Forever." He paused. "I just…I admit that I appreciate the attention from you, but that's only because I'm at a really low point right now. It's not because I want to be with you. I'm sorry." Yami covered his mouth as Yugi attempted a smile and added, "There's only Yami, Joey. There has only ever been and only ever will be, Yami."

Relief washed over Yami like cold water. Hearing those words gave him so much life that the intensity almost brought him to his knees. There has only ever been and only ever will be, Yami. He felt a real smile curve its way onto his face as he realized that Yugi had never abandoned him, never left him, never fell in love with another. There was an explanation for this. Yugi loved him. He didn't need to hear anymore. He retreated further into the darkness of the alley and carefully scaled the wall of the building, out of sight from any humans. He began jumping from rooftop to rooftop, his heart feeling light in his chest for the first time in a while. When he reached the game shop, he swooped through Yugi's bedroom window cautiously, landing almost inaudibly. He was going to wait for Yugi, and they were going to fix all of this.

Joey knew he was in deep shit.

He quickly made his way back home, surprised to find his father there but unsurprised to see him passed out in the worn, green recliner with the television's volume up way too high. With a sigh, he shut and locked the door, tiptoed around the numerous beer cans on the floor and tossed a blanket across his father's body. It really didn't matter how quiet he was; his dad was out like a light, and once he was at that point, there was very little that could awaken him. Joey shook his head and made his way to his room, closing the door behind him, knowing that the rest of his evening would not play out well.

Oh, how right he was.

The minute the door clicked closed, Joey felt Marik's presence slam forcefully in his head. Throughout the day, Marik had been somewhat dormant—there but not there, aware but not interfering. He had been allowing Joey full control to carry out their plan—gaining Yugi's trust so that Marik could pounce. The minute he had felt Joey's defenses fall, he had almost taken control. Knowing better than to cause such a scene in public, he had seethed in his place within Joey's mind. Joey had felt it, felt his control waiver, and he was ready to fight it with all of his might. Luckily, he didn't have to.

How dare you defy me?! Marik's shouted, using his power to throw Joey's body into the opposite wall. Joey landed with a loud thud, sliding down the wall to the carpet with a slight groan of pain. He leaned on all fours, trying to stand, before he felt a solid weight on his back, slamming him back into the ground. Though invisible, Joey knew that Marik was standing on top of him. You think you can make a fool out of me?! I will destroy you!

Joey wheezed as he felt Marik increase the pressure on his back. He gritted his teeth in determination, unwilling to continue to be a victim. "The deal is off, you creep! Get off'a me!" Marik growled and released the weight on his backside. Joey inhaled deeply, but before he could gather his bearings, he was kicked in the side of the head like a soccer ball. He rolled over on his side and gasped for air, his vision suddenly going shaky.

The deal is off when I say so, you cretin! Just who do you think you are? What power do you think you hold here?!

Again, Joey held on to what little resolve he had and growled. "I won't let you hurt him, you monster!" He rolled over onto his knees and coughed, feeling blood trickle down the side of his head. For once, the anger completely dissolved from his mind and was instead replaced by deep amusement. Marik laughed deafeningly, the sound reverberating through Joey's skull.

Oh, this is too hilarious! he cackled. You're actually falling in love with little Yugi! After making his life a living hell, you think that midget wants anything to do with you?!

Joey frowned, finally able to get in a sitting position. "Maybe not," he said quietly, recalling Yugi embracing his love for Yami. "But I won't let you hurt 'em. He's…he's innocent in all 'dis! Whatever you have against his boyfriend has nothing to do with him! So…so just leave 'em be, hear me? You won't hurt him!" Again, Marik chuckled, flinging Joey back into the wall with ease. His head smashed hard against the plaster and put a slight hole in it.

And you think you can stop me?

Joey's vision swam. No, no…he was losing consciousness. If he passed out, Marik would have total control over him. He would be free to hurt anyone! He would be free to hurt Yugi. He tried desperately to fight it, but his vision only darkened, the blow to the back of the head too much for his body to bear.

When he awakened, he was in a place unfamiliar to him. It was like his bedroom, but even smaller. He sat up, finding himself in a large bed. He touched the back of his head, but found no pain. As he looked around, he found random bits and oddities from his childhood—a baseball bat and mitt, a stuffed animal missing its eye…a picture of his sister, Serenity. Instantly, he panicked, rushing to the one door in the room. It was locked.

Joey was trapped within his own mind.

Alright, a shorter chapter, but necessary. We are very overdue for some Yugi/Yami moments, so that will be coming next chapter. Leave me reviews, my loves!

-Mystie