So I'm going to try to post this one final time....please, if anyone has an issue or problem with my story, please, please email me and tell me. Please don't report it and have it taken down again. I know a lot of people are enjoying this, and it's not fair to have it removed.
My email address is on my profile...please use it.
Just so as not to confuse people with names:
Jou/Jounouchi Katsuya -Joey Wheeler
Yugi Motou - Yugi Motou
Atemu - Yami, Pharaoh, the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle
Seto Kaiba - Seto Kaiba
/blah/ - Yugi to Atemu
-blah- Atemu to Yugi
Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh...NOT MINE!
Jou tugged the collar of his coat up, shielding himself from the rapidly falling snowflakes, the freezing temperature forcing the air out of his lungs in shallow gasps.
Gotta get to Yugi's…and soon, he thought, Or else I'll freeze to death out here. He wrapped his arms around himself for warmth, stumbling forward in the deepening storm.
Turning a corner, he paused next to a light pole, wrapping his arm around the ice cold metal, his body sagging in exhaustion, the weight of his duffel bag dragging him even further downward.
Don't know if I can…make it. Cold – so cold.
Jou gathered his remaining strength, forcing himself upright. He stepped away from the pole and stumbled forward, his steps awkward and clumsy. Lifting a trembling hand, he reached up and pushed his snow-frozen hair out of his eyes, and gasped in relief as the vague shadow of the Kame game shop appeared before him.
Trudging through a large pile of snow, he reached the front door. He lifted his icy hand and knocked on the door.
Please Yug – please be there. I need you pal, he thought, his vision blurring. Help me Yugi, please won't someone help me!
--
Yugi was curled in bed, wrapped securely in the strong and comforting arms of his yami. He sighed contentedly in his sleep, rolling onto his side, snuggling closer into the warmth of his lover's embrace. Atemu smiled at the peaceful form he held, gently brushing the golden bangs out of his hikari's face. He placed a soft kiss on Yugi's forehead before settling back and closing his own eyes.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. Is someone knocking on the door at this time of night? He thought worriedly. Disentangling himself gently from Yugi, the spirit slid out of bed and glided gracefully down the hall to the front door. He unlocked the bolt and opened the door, his crimson-colored eyes widening in surprise at the sight before him.
"Jou?" he breathed, staring at the trembling boy standing on the snow covered step, his darkening blue lips standing out in stark contrast to his pale blue skin.
Jou lifted his head, grinning weakly. "H…heya Atem…Atemu," he stuttered, his frozen mouth refusing to work properly. "N…nice to see…" He collapsed forward, his knees buckling.
Atemu gasped and leapt forward, catching Jou before he hit the ground. Dragging the blonde through the doorway into the heated house, he kicked the door shut. Atemu eased the bag off of Jou's shoulder, and sat on the floor next to him, pulling the barely conscious form into his arms, trying to transfer some warmth into the ice-cold body.
"YUGI!" he shouted. "Yugi, I need you! Hurry aibou!"
He heard a loud thump and a curse as Yugi fell out of the bed, followed by rapid footsteps scrambling down the hallway towards him.
"Yami! Why are you shouting?" Yugi yelled, his heart hammering madly at the sight of his lover kneeling on the floor, his back to Yugi. "What's wrong? Oh my god, are you ok?"
Atemu turned slightly, giving Yugi view of Jou's limp form. Yugi squeaked and ran over to the pair.
/Atemu, what's happening? How did Jou get here?/
-I do not know, aibou. He's very cold. I need your help getting him to the couch.-
Yugi helped Atemu pull Jou into a standing position, each boy placing one of Jou's arms around his neck. Jou's head dropped to his chest, his body hanging listlessly as the two dragged him to the couch, laying the shivering body down. Atemu left the room to find blankets, and Yugi knelt next to the prone form, taking Jou's icicle hand in his.
"It'll be ok, Jou," he said worriedly. "We'll take care of you. Don't worry, everything will be alright."
Tremors coursed through Jou's frozen body, shaking his frame from head to toe. He tried to give Yugi's hand a reassuring squeeze, but his hand refused to do what he asked.
"I…I'll b…be fine, Y…Yug," he stammered. "D…don't w…worry bout m…me, pal. J…just a l…little c…cold, th…that's all."
Atemu returned with several blankets, placing them over Jou, tucking them in around him. Jou weakly nodded his thanks, the first tendrils of warmth beginning to wrap around him. He sighed contentedly as the shivers began to abate, and closing his eyes, he was soon in a deep sleep.
Yugi remained by the couch, holding Jou's hand, which slowly began to change from the pale blue it had been to a darkening red. He glanced up at Atemu, who had come to stand behind him, his hand resting comfortably on Yugi's shoulder.
"There is nothing we can do but keep him warm, hikari," the former Pharaoh said, placing his arm around Yugi's waist, helping him to his feet before drawing the smaller boy down into a sitting position on the loveseat across from the couch. "I hope that he does not catch ill."
Yugi sighed as he curled into his yami, and yawned widely. "If he does, I'll take care of him, Atemu," he said tiredly, rubbing his eyes. "Everything will be fine…in the morning."
Atemu smiled at his light. "Yes, aibou, everything will be fine," he said, placing a kiss on Yugi's tri-colored locks. "Sleep now, Yugi. I will stay awake and make sure that everything is alright. I love you, hikari."
Yugi nodded contentedly, sleep claiming his little body. "Love you too, yami," he whispered. With a final worried glance at Jou, he closed his eyes. I hope Jou will be ok. Why was he not with Kaiba?
--
The sterile, cinderblock walled room stood silent, the white glare of the fluorescent lights beaming harshly, splashing across the worn linoleum tiles of the floor and the large, stainless steel table bolted to the wall. Suddenly, the wooden door swung open and a serious looking brunette strode in. He leaned against the table, his arms crossed, staring at the door opposite the one he entered. That door soon opened, and a white-coated doctor entered, pulling harshly on a leash he held in his hand.
The end of the leash connected to a thick blue collar that was fastened around the neck of a struggling Jounouchi Katsuya. Jou cursed as he stumbled into the room, his fingers fumbling at the clasp of the collar, unable to remove the offensive item. The doctor tugged roughly on his end of the leash, sending Jou careening to his hands and knees.
"Goddamn it!" Jou shouted, pushing himself upright. "Get this damn thing offa me!"
"Stop your yapping, mutt," a raspy voice muttered, causing Jou to jerk his head up to stare into the cold blue eyes of the man who leaned casually against the table, smirking down at the blonde.
"S…Seto?" Jou stuttered. "What – what the hell is going on?" His head jerked forward painfully at another yank on the leash, and he glared at the doctor, his lips pulled back in a snarl.
"Don't fucking do that again," he growled. "I swear to god, I'll rip your fucking head off."
With a laugh, the doctor wrapped the leash around the leg of the table, tying it into an immovable knot. "He is as vicious as you said, Mr. Kaiba," the doctor said with a sadistic grin. "I suggest implementing the plan we had discussed earlier."
With a nod, Seto pushed himself away from the table, and going down on one knee, took hold of Jou's chin.
"It was fun while it lasted, mutt," he said, his fingers stroking Jou's cheek. "But like all good things, it must come to an end. Thanks for the memories, dog." He stood and, without a glance back, strode out of the room.
The doctor stood next to Jou, who sat stunned on the floor, staring at the door. He rolled up the blonde's sleeve and, reaching into his jacket pocket, removed a hypodermic needle. Jou glanced at it, suddenly terrified.
"Wha – what's that for?" he stammered, trying to pull away, but was held fast by the leash.
"Mr. Kaiba has requested that, due to your vicious and unpredictable nature, you be put to sleep, dog," the doctor said calmly. "Now don't worry, little puppy, it will all be over soon. You won't feel a thing."
Pulling the plastic cover from the needle, he lifted Jou's arm. Jou struggled wildly, but his arm was held in a grip of steel.
"I'm not a goddamn dog!" he screamed. "I'm not a dog! Jesus, please somebody help me! They're going to kill me!"
The needle arced through the air, and inserted itself into the flesh of his arm with a sting. As the doctor pressed the plunger, sending the drug into his bloodstream, Jou let out a final shriek.
"SETO!!!"
With a scream, Jou jerked upright, his hand clutched to his chest, his breath coming in startled gasps. Yugi sat up with a cry, startled out of his own sleep. He rushed to the side of the couch and took Jou's hand in his own.
"Jou, it's ok!" he cried, rubbing the shaking blonde's back. "It was just a nightmare, Jou, you're safe, everything is ok."
Jou pulled his knees up to his chest and wrapped his free arm around his legs, resting his forehead on his arm.
"I know, Yug," he said breathlessly, trying to calm his rapidly beating heart. "I'm fine. I'll be ok, pal." He lifted his head and smiled into the worried violet eyes of his best friend. "I promise, I'm ok."
Atemu came over to sit at the other end of the couch. He placed his hand on Jou's leg. "What happened tonight, Jou?" he asked softly. "Why are you here instead of at home, with Kaiba?" He winced at the expression of pain that flitted across the other boy's face. "Tell us, Jou. We're here for you," he encouraged gently.
Jou sighed, glancing at his two friends. "Well, it all started with a walk…" he said. Atemu drew Yugi into his comforting embrace, as the pair sat listening to Jou's tale.
--
"…and I thought that I was going to die," Jou said, shaking his head. "I guess I must have startled myself awake, and that's it. That's the whole story."
Yugi shook his tri-colored head. "But why would Kaiba do that?" he asked, tears glistening in his innocent eyes. "Why would he deliberately try to hurt you?"
Jou shrugged his shoulders. "Who knows, Yug?" he sighed. "Maybe it was all a game to him. Maybe he was tired of me. Maybe he never loved me like I love him. Maybe he didn't have the balls to break up with me himself, so he did what he had to, to make me leave him, so he wasn't to blame. Who knows, Yug? I sure as hell don't."
He bit his lip, his eyes thoughtful. "He wanted me out of his life. He got his wish," he said in a low voice. "I'm gone." He clenched his hand into a fist, the muscles of his arm trembling. "I don't want any more to do with that hurtful bastard. I…I don't need him."
Jou sighed again and dropped his head. "Who am I kidding?" he whispered. "I still love him, Yug, damn fool that I am. But I'm not going to crawl back to him like – like a dog. I've just gotta move on, that's all."
Yugi's heart was breaking at his friend's sadness. He turned his face up to Atemu's, his eyes sad and thoughtful.
/Atemu, what can we do? We've got to help Jou out somehow./
-I don't know, aibou. I suppose we can start by letting him stay here – I don't think he has anywhere else to go.-
"Great idea!" Yugi chirped, before realizing that Atemu had replied to him through their mind link. He blushed wildly at the puzzled, slightly hurt look Jou gave him.
"Jou, I'm sorry," he said apologetically. "Atemu and I…well, we were wondering if you wanted to stay here, and I forgot that you can't hear us when we talk through our mind link." He blushed again, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.
Jou gave a small smile, placing his hand on Yugi's little shoulder. "Thanks, Yug," he said. "I was hoping you guys wouldn't mind if I crashed. Just for a little while, I promise." He yawned widely, covering it with an embarrassed grin.
Atemu placed his hand on top of Jou's. "Of course we don't mind, Jou," he said. "You are more than welcome to stay as long as you need to. Come, I will show you to the spare room."
He stood and held out his hand to the blonde. Jou stood as well, reaching out and clasping the offered hand, his eyes misting slightly. I must be the luckiest guy in the world to have friends like this.
Atemu picked up Jou's khaki bag as he walked out of the room. Jou followed the former pharaoh down the hallway, and entered into a small room at the end of the hall.
"If there is anything you need, Jou, Yugi and I are right across the hallway," the crimson-eyed spirit said, placing the bag on the floor and stepping back into the doorway. "Sleep well, my friend. We shall see you in the morning." He turned and softly closed the door behind him.
Jou opened his bag, removing a pair of loose fitting black cotton pants and a white tank top. He stripped out of his snow-damp clothes, and drew the pajamas over his lean frame. Stretching out on the small bed, he clasped his hands behind his head and stared up at the ceiling.
He rolled onto his side with a sigh, remembering the warm feeling of Seto's arms wrapped around him, holding him tightly in sleep. His eyes grew hard at the memory. Whatever you're doing tonight, I hope you're completely miserable, Seto, you asshole, he thought fiercely. Closing his angry eyes, he tried to fall into a forgetful sleep, but it was many hours before he was able to do so.
--
Atemu softly closed the door to the spare bedroom and turned to face his lighter half. He smiled at the smaller boy. "Jou will be fine, Yugi." He said, trying to ease the worries he saw written across his hikari's face. "He is strong, and he will get through this, love. I promise. And we will help him however we must."
Yugi grew thoughtful as he contemplated the story Jou told him. "Yes, Atemu, we will help him," he whispered. "And I think I know how."
--
The morning dawned bright and clear. Crystalline rays of sunshine played across Jou's face, his gold-spun hair glowing in the early morning light. With a groan, he pulled the blankets over his head, his eyes squinting shut against the intrusive beams. The smell of bacon dragged his reluctant form out of the bed, and, rubbing his eyes, he opened the bedroom door and stumbled down the hallway towards the enticing aroma.
"Morning Jou!" Yugi chirped happily, waving a spatula at the groggy blonde who leaned against the doorframe for support.
"Mmhmm," Jou grunted, dragging himself over to a chair and dropping down onto it. "How the hell can you be so cheerful this early?" he grumbled.
Atemu laughed and handed him a cup of steaming black liquid. "Yugi claims that this drink can wake anyone," he said. "He calls it 'coffee.'"
Jou took the mug gratefully, sipping the blessed brew, his muscles loosening as the coffee began to bring him back to life.
Yugi pointed the spatula at his yami, who was trying to pour himself a cup of coffee without anyone noticing. "Atemu, don't you DARE even THINK of drinking that," he said with a grimace. "You know what happens when you do."
Turning to an amused Jou, he shrugged his shoulders. "The last time he drank coffee, he was absolutely out of control," Yugi laughed. "It was like watching a spinning top. He used the bed like a trampoline, squirted the shampoo down the drain, and flushed the toilet over and over because he liked the noise. I actually caught him making prank calls to Bakura before I was able to calm him down."
Jou snorted with laughter. "You were pranking Bakura?" he cried. "God, Atemu, do you have a death wish or something?"
Atemu blushed and muttered something that sounded like "…not afraid of that baka tomb robber," before turning to the toaster. Yugi and Jou glanced at each other, causing another round of laughter.
The doorbell rang, startling the trio. "Who could be at the door this early?" Atemu wondered, glancing over at Yugi, who caught his eye before looking away.
Yugi turned his attention back to the food he was cooking, the corners of his lips twitching. "Jou, would you answer that please?" he asked innocently. "Atemu and I need to finish making breakfast."
Jou shrugged and stood. "Sure thing, Yug," he said. "Be back in a flash. Save some of that breakfast for me, ok?" He grinned and headed down the hallway as the bell rang again.
Atemu turned to his hikari, noticing the smile playing across the smaller boy's features. "Aibou, what have you done?" he asked, placing his hands on his hips.
Yugi smiled at him. "The only thing I could," he said cryptically, his violet eyes twinkling happily.
--
Jou whistled softly to himself as he walked down the hallway to the ringing door. He threw back the bolt and swung the door wide. His eyes suddenly grew very wide, his knees trembling at the sight of the person standing before him. He clutched a hand to his chest, leaning on the door for support, a single, breathless word escaping his lips.
"Seto…"
A/N: So what do you guys think? Less emotionally sappy than the previous chapters, but I think it turned out ok. I hope you guys enjoyed it – please read and review to let me know!!