Author's Note: My gift for 2022's Yu-Gi-Oh! It's Time to G-G-G-Gift! [Mini-Exchange]
Yuugi huffed a small laugh as Bakura's body slumped against him in the seat beside him. It was a wonder he'd fallen asleep at all given the rickety contraption they were trundling along in. The hayride had come as a well-intentioned suggestion from Anzu as a way to help get them out of the house. And Yuugi had to admit, with the hours they were putting in on their joint game design venture, they could use it.
Anzu had received a booklet of tickets for the hayride and accompanying pumpkin carving from a local fall festival but had opted to treat Shizuka instead. Jounouchi and Honda were both stuck working, which left just Bakura and Yuugi to enjoy the crisp fall air as they rode about the town's largest field in a wagon that had Yuugi tensing up every time they hit a bump in the road.
The last bump not having woken Bakura, Yuugi reached over gently and shook the other awake with a fond smile.
"Bakura," he said, "we really need to stop putting in such late hours."
Bakura chuckled as he straightened and reached for the other's hand, entwining their fingers.
"We both know the last few nights have been more play than work," Bakura responded. "But either way, I wouldn't get to see you as much."
Yuugi broke out into a blush he could not contain as he smiled sheepishly into his lap.
"Well, I want my boyfriend well rested," Yuugi replied, blushing even harder at his own utterance of the word boyfriend.
This was all so new to them both, but they'd fallen together like the sand and the shore in late summer. Reeling after their first kiss, they pretended nothing had changed until the night Bakura bade the question of what lay between Anzu and Yuugi.
Yuugi felt every word in his answer weigh heavy, heavier than anything between friends. Bakura's fears of something more than friendship existing with Anzu were assuaged, laughter echoed loudly again and words wrapped sweetly led to close quarters and hands in tender places.
They fell together again just as the leaves began to change color. Pent-up passions finding a release this time around.
"I like it when you call me that," Bakura whispered, their fingers still laced together between them.
Touched, Yuugi didn't have any words for that at the moment, but he continued to smile. They rode along in silence for a time, enjoying the vibrant sea of leaves that surrounded them below and overhead, a magical sight each year.
"Mokuba's invited us to a formal party for Kaiba's birthday," Yuugi began. "I'd like it if you came with me, as my plus one."
This of course would be nothing out of the ordinary. Bakura and Yuugi were known business partners to Kaiba and his associates.
"Of course," Bakura said, smiling. "I'd been meaning to ask you as well."
Then his smile faltered a bit. "But to everyone, we'd just be business partners," he added.
Yuugi nodded, their entwined fingers slackening a bit.
"I wish we could be something more," Bakura said when he finally spoke again, eyes sad.
"We are! We-" Yuugi began, but then paused, understanding his meaning.
Their friends didn't even know of their relationship, let alone anyone else.
Before they could continue their conversation, the wagon began to slow, pulling up in front of an area of the field that was filled with pumpkins of all sizes and even colors.
"Carving time!" Bakura cried out, enthusiasm renewed, he jumped from the wagon leaving Yuugi to follow.
They spent some time weighing their options, the large pumpkins would be difficult to carry home so Yuugi found a medium-sized one, one that seemed just right for the carving design he had in mind. Bakura went straight for a creamy white pumpkin, holding it up excitedly to show to Yuugi.
Yuugi smiled adoringly. Bakura was such a joy to see when excited, bright-eyed and earnest.
Bakura's words towards the end of their hayride still lingered with him though, clouding his mood a bit. He wanted to share his relationship status with the others, he just hadn't felt ready to do so. What changes would it bring? Repercussions?
Yuugi pondered this as he set to work on carving his pumpkin.
He decided on a puzzle design that would piece together to reveal a ghost at its center, letting the light shine through the puzzle pieces and the ghost's eyes. A puzzle would not come as a surprise as it was no secret, he loved games. But few knew he loved them because of the challenge, delight and fun they could inspire.
Bakura worked across from him, gleefully carving away at a design that was still a mystery to Yuugi.
Yuugi wondered not for the first time, what made it evident to him and his friends that Bakura was not 'himself' back when he would become possessed by the spirit of the Millennium Ring.
Observing now, the evil spirit would have delighted in carving away too, Yuugi remembered, but with abandon.
However, this without a doubt was his gentle, quirky Bakura. All soft eyes and sincere smiles. Yuugi supposed it had something to do with the nature of evil. It took over what was once bright and filled humans with dread at its cruelty.
Cruelty. That was one sign.
And he supposed it was cruel to keep quiet about their relationship much longer. To give into fear. He knew his friends, their hearts. They'd do their best to love him all the same. Sure, it'd be an adjustment, but any change was. Yuugi knew that acutely.
He had to be strong when one love left, now it was time to be strong to keep another.
"We could wear a couple's costume," Yuugi said, pausing in his work to look up at Bakura. "For Honda's Halloween party."
"Yeah," Bakura said, that'd be fun."
"And maybe I could hold your hand," Yuugi continued, still looking at Bakura.
Bakura stopped his own carving.
"Your friends would know… Do you want them to know?" Bakura ventured; eyes guardedly hopeful.
"I love you, Bakura," Yuugi said, fighting a blush at such a confession. "I don't want to hide that which I love."
Processing Yuugi's words, Bakura broke out into a smile. And came around the table, flinging his arms around the shorter man.
"I love you too," Bakura breathed out once they'd parted. "I'm so happy. Everyone will know you're mine."
The two locked eyes then, and embraced once more, sharing a gentle kiss. Likely went unnoticed by anyone around them as they were all engrossed in their own dramas and fun.
A cool breeze played through their hair. Yuugi wanted to remember everything about this moment.
"I want to show you my pumpkin carving," Bakura said excitedly upon parting.
Rushing back around his side of the table, Bakura turned and lifted the pale pumpkin to reveal the design he'd been working on.
A heart, half hollow and the other half carved in a puzzle design.
"For the one who has half my heart," Bakura said with a smile and utmost sincerity.
"Bakura, that's so sweet, and," laughing, "corny. I love you."
And they both laughed at that.