YD: And here's the second year of Birthday Wishes!
HS: I am trying to update other things. This just pulled me in because I have writer's block on some stories. I'm sorry!
YD: Oh, and this one might be a little confusing. Yuugi's reminiscing, recalling the past. Yami snaps him out of it at the end.
Happy Birthday: Year Two
Yuugi always remembered his sixteenth birthday as the best day of his life. Though at school, Jounouchi and Honda had bullied him again. And Ushio had threatened him… again. But he finished his Puzzle that day. He had a friend, a yami, one he could learn to love.
At first, this other half scared him. His crazed other half killed people, using his body to do so. He was insane and Yuugi feared him this other half that kept hurting others. There were times where he wanted the smash the Puzzle but something inside always stopped him. It wasn't until Pegasus's tournament that Yuugi met his other half.
Yuugi was happy with his other half. He dubbed his other half, Mou hitori no boku. After all, one couldn't always be nameless. Mou hitori no Yuugi told his Light of his reformed ways. He told of the cries and protests that always filtered through their distant link. Mou hitori no Yuugi never liked it when his partner was scared or hurt.
Partner? Yes, Yuugi mused. Partner.
After the incident with Kaiba Seto, Yuugi thought their partnership had ended completely. He had retreated to his soul room, curled up and crying. He had almost allowed his other half to kill again! But then he came in and apologized profusely. Yuugi had turned him away, scared again. Disappointed and with a few tears, Mou hitori no Yuugi had departed, apologizing one last time.
Yuugi had fought against his other half. Every time he looked again, he winced at his harsh actions and even harsher words. Mou hitori no Yuugi had only wanted to help. He banged against his soul room door, pleading with Yuugi, trying to convince him to help. After a while, Yuugi conceded, allowing Kujaku-san's words and Mou hitori no Yuugi's pleadings sway him.
They had won together, even though Yuugi had fainted from the strain of the Shadows. He felt the hatred and blood-lust taking over his other half. He tried to send soothing emotions but he could never reach his other half. Yuugi was completely shut out. It frightened him.
Mou hitori no Yuugi defeated the slimy cheater. When they reconnected, his other half retreated and practically attacked Yuugi, searching for any injuries. He kept cursing Pegasus, swearing revenge for hurting his partner. Yuugi was genuinely touched by his other half's concern for his well-being.
They went back to Japan, back home, with Yuugi's grandfather, perfectly fine and content. But Yuugi had gotten the Puzzle stolen. He had to face another opponent alone, with his other half. He could feel the spirit around and it comforted him. He defeated the thief but he set the warehouse on fire and shattered the Puzzle. Horrified at the notion of leaving his partner behind, Yuugi set to work repairing the broken puzzle. What once took eight years to complete, only took a few hours.
But Yuugi's body could only take so much. The heat of the flames and the ferocity of the smoke had knocked out the Light. His friends, Kami-sama bless them, helped Yuugi escape the flames. All the while, his grip on the Puzzle never relented.
Again, his other half had invaded his soul room and almost hugged Yuugi to death. Mou hitori no Yuugi actually cried for him. His fear of the darkness caused him to panic in the infinity of the Puzzle when it was shattered. But he felt Yuugi, however far away he was.
Yuugi had decided to call his other half Yami, darkness. The very thing Mou hitori no Yuugi hated, he was. Darkness. Yuugi's Darkness. The name gave him confidence. He had a name. He wasn't just Yuugi's other half.
The Battle City tournament was great fun, until the final duel between Malik's Darkness. His partner was dueling with him until suddenly he was ripped away. Yami had cried out in fear and hurt. Their shared body felt cold with Yuugi's comforting light. He saw Yuugi's spirit chained beside him. Horror filled him at what Malik's Darkness proposed. It was a Shadow Game with high stakes. Yami was torn. He could not defeat Malik's Darkness with banishing Malik to the Shadows. And he could not forsake his Light to the Shadows either.
Ra bless Yuugi. The Light allowed Yami the strength to keep fighting. Still, a piece of him died every time Yuugi screamed in pain as a portion of his soul was killed. With fire burning within him, Yami defeated Malik's Darkness, freeing his partner and liberating Malik. Yuugi was exhausted from the Shadow's assault on his soul. Yami was too, but he allowed Yuugi to rest.
Their bond grew stronger and stronger each day. But then came the Orichalcos. The evil card stole his partner's soul away because of his actions. It was a topic both avoided. Neither wanted to recount the horrors of the Orichalcos.
Thankfully, Yami's drive to regain his partner's lost soul did him good. Still, Yuugi believed in him. He was forgiven and in time, was trusted again.
Then they went through Ancient Egypt, participating in a Game that would kill them all if they lost. They won, defeating Bakura at his own game. Yami regained his memories, finding his true name.
Atem.
Yuugi had to duel his other half. If he won, Atem would go on, if he lost, Atem would stay. Yuugi won; he couldn't bring himself to throw the duel just so Atem could stay. He cried, for he didn't want Atem leave.
Atem had hugged him and told him to stay strong. Yuugi suddenly went silent in Atem's arms. Their lips were only centimeters apart. Hesitantly, Yuugi leaned forward and stole a small kiss.
Atem pressed back, now crying too. His gentle kiss turned into desperate, hungry kisses. Yuugi didn't want him to leave; and Atem did not want to leave either. But Atem had lost.
His birthday present was Atem leaving, possibly forever. Both crying steadily, they said their goodbyes and parted. Yuugi couldn't even keep the Puzzle as a memento of his yami.
For a year, Yuugi wandered aimlessly. He had no one and he certainly couldn't get his heart back from the one he gave it to. He participated in school, keeping up but kept feeling he was cut in half. His friends tried their hardest to keep him cheered up.
But his eighteenth birthday…
His friends had planned a surprise celebration. Right in the middle of it, someone came in, someone very familiar.
"Yami!"
The first reaction of them all was shock and paralysis. Yuugi quickly shook it off and ran to greet his yami. The others simply stood there, gaping.
Atem and Yuugi had eyes only for each other. They embraced and Atem slowly kissed his other half. Yuugi melted against him and smiled. His eyes lit up just like before Atem had gone away.
It was the first true smile Yuugi had let show since Atem's departure. Once Yuugi's friends got over their shock, they left quietly, allowing Yuugi and Atem to be alone.
"How did you come back?"
"I came back for you… partner."
They spent the entire evening together, ecstatic to see each other again. It was truly a joyous occasion.
Half a month later, Atem proposed to his partner, trying to make sure that Yuugi would never slip away from him in college. Yuugi had gladly consented, almost hugging the life out of poor Atem.
"Yuugi?" Now nineteen, Yuugi was very happily married to Atem. He looked up in Atem's concerned crimson eyes and smiled.
"I'm fine, Yami. I'm merely reminiscing our past together."
"Ah…" Atem trailed off, unsure of what to say. Yuugi pulled his lover down and Atem sat beside him.
"Yami, what's the best day of your life?"
"The best day of my life was when you solved the Puzzle and I saw you." Atem replied, taking his lover into his arms and kissing him lightly.
"I thought that was my best day too. But now I realize the best day of my life was the day you proposed to me." Yuugi brushed away some of the bangs covering Atem's eyes. "I love you."
"And I will always love you, partner." Yuugi joined hands with his lover, allowing the sun to shine off the gold. The diamond on his ring gleamed.
"Happy birthday, partner." Yuugi stood and offered his lover a hand up. Atem took it and stood with his Yuugi in his arms. Yuugi laughed softly.
"Do you want to dance?"
"Now?" Atem asked incredulously.
"Of course," Atem smiled slightly. They slow-danced to some inaudible tune while the sun set in the distance. The brilliancy of the colors on Yuugi's face took Atem's breath away.
"My little miracle," Atem whispered, sending shivers down Yuugi's spine.
"I'll always be your miracle, Yami. Always,"
"I know. I love you."
"Yes… my Pharaoh Plushie, I love you too."
Owari
YD: Short and sweet, if I say so myself.
HS: I didn't think it was as good as last year's. But I did this within the 24 hours afforded me. I didn't have much time at all. But I think it's pretty good regardless.
YD: Happy birthday to Yuugi and to my hikari!
HS: Psst… I'm fourteen today!
