YD: I got this idea from reading, The Schwa Was Here by Neal Shusterman. If you haven't read it, you should. It's a good book.
HS: This is an AU, so a bunch of stuff that happened in the canon didn't happen here. Don't say I didn't warn you.
YD: Also, I couldn't decide whether to end this happily or sadly. So I wrote both! The first ending is quite depressing but the alternate ending is more of a "happily ever after" sort of thing. You decide which ending to read. Basically, this is a fanfic to prove that your life can change with one single choice.
Rated M for extreme cruelty, using of stereotypes, and adult situations. (lime) Oh yes… I must mention I was out of my mind when I wrote this… well, even more than usual and listening to some depressing stuff. And my vocabulary chose today to insert words I've never used in my stories before. No, not 'bad' words. And I will not warn you when there is an adult situation. Sorry, it messes up the flow of the story. Read at your own risk.
Invisible
Yuugi stood in the shadows, invisible to all. Even if he stood in the middle of the crowded hall wearing a Smokey the Bear suit and singing the theme song to Barney, he doubted anyone would notice. Yuugi was one of those invisible people who were always there yet never seen.
For as long as Yuugi could remember, he was always overlooked and forgotten. Even his grandfather sometimes forgot about him. Yuugi blamed the old age that was steadily getting to his grandfather. It was easier to think of it that way.
Owing to his natural invisibility, Yuugi noticed that the cheerleaders seemed more hyped up that usual. That could only mean one thing. A new student was here and he/she was either a jock or cheerleader.
Minutes later, he knew why the cheerleaders were so hyper.
Walking down the hall like a King, Atemu Yami appeared. The Lord of Duel Monsters, the King of Games, now attended Domino High. He was now the ultimate catch. A new fan club would probably be started in honor of him.
Yuugi's eyes narrowed as he mouthed 'pathetic'. More people to torment him, just what he needed now.
Atemu Yami was not a normal, average person. He picked up a few talents, like the ability to see something that usually can't be seen. It had helped him a lot in Duels. He could see plans forming in his opponent's eyes.
So unlike many others, Atemu saw Yuugi. It a fleeting glance before Yuugi disappeared right before him. But the glimpse afforded Atemu a view of hate-filled violet eyes. Wonder struck him. The hate was strange. What had he done to the violet-eyed boy?
First period was even stranger. No one seemed to notice the violet-eyed one. Atemu himself was hard-pressed to see him. The blue walls seemed to camouflage the other quite thoroughly.
"Atemu-san, sit yourself at one of the empty desks back there." At first glance, Atemu saw two empty desks in the back. But as he started toward it, someone seemed to appear in one. It was the violet-eyed one that had looked at him so hatefully before. He seemed to be playing with a necklace and seemed miles away from the classroom.
"There is only one empty desk, sensei."
"Really?" She glanced around. "There are two empty desks back there. I see it quite clearly."
Yuugi was startled out of his stupor. Someone had noticed him! And it was the new kid, no less. He sighed heavily and started waving his hand wildly, letting go of his necklace. Of course, no one noticed.
"Sensei! I'm right here!" That seemed to draw some attention to him, however minimal it was. It was the teacher's turn to look startled.
"Mutou-san," She looked quite confused. "Atemu-san, please go sit next to Mutou-san." She looked back and saw nothing… again. Yuugi had just disappeared.
Atemu fared no better. It seemed Yuugi had just vanished right in front of him. How did he do that? Instead of looking into it, Atemu shrugged it off and forgot about him. Oddly enough, once Atemu forgot about him, he didn't remember anything about him.
Yuugi just sat there, slack-jawed. The new kid had actually seen him! He sighed audibly, hoping someone would turn around and notice him. No such luck. Everyone had forgotten him. Soon, Atemu would too. It was just a matter of time.
Yuugi was right. After less than a week, Atemu joined the basketball team. Though he wasn't tall, he dominated the court. Once again, Yuugi found himself alone and completely invisible.
He sat in his favorite tree, reading Alas, Babylon, an apocalyptic novel. The basketball team played on the court while the cheerleaders practiced their annoying cheers. A few students were smoking along the wall of the school, hidden from prying eyes. There was a reason Yuugi loved the certain spot so much.
He could see everyone and observe their pathetic lives. And, this tree's branches were shaped in a way where he could sit comfortably. He closed his book and leaned back, sighing.
"Another day in the life of a ghost," he murmured. The basketball team stopped and wandered over to sit under the shade. Some drifted off to light up with the other students against the wall.
"Hey, Atemu! Who you gonna take to the dance?" Atemu looked startled at the question.
"Why? You asking me out, Jounouchi-kun?" Atemu asked, winking. Jounouchi mock punched him.
"You wish. Aren't 'cha gonna take that Mazaki girl? She's the head cheerleader and you're the playmaker. It fits, ya know?"
"I dunno. She's sorta clingy." Yuugi scoffed above them. Mazaki Anzu used to be his childhood friend before his invisibility had driven her away. As a cheerleader, she believed hanging out with losers makes you a loser.
"Hey, she's big." Jounouchi made an obscene gesture at his chest. Atemu must've thought it hilarious, as he cracked up. Yuugi itched to jumped down and scare the shit out of the jocks. He wanted to find another quiet place to read.
"I have a proposition for ya, Atemu-sama."
"Yeah?" Atemu looked wary. Jounouchi was infamous for his harsh bets. He almost always won.
Jounouchi leaned in and whispered into Atemu's ear. Yuugi couldn't catch any of it. Atemu accepted by shaking Jounouchi's hand.
"A thousand yen it is, then, Jounouchi-kun,"
Yuugi had no idea what was to happen to him.
Maybe it was only a fluke but first period, Atemu saw him. He was reading Alas, Babylon again. Atemu strode over like he owned the world and plucked the book from Yuugi's hands. Yuugi's surprise at being noticed melted into anger.
"Give me my book back!" He demanded sharply.
Atemu concentrated on the other's eyes before he could completely see Yuugi. The next instant, Yuugi would disappear so Atemu wanted to know what he looked like before he did.
"Do you want to go to the dance with me?" Atemu asked point blank. Yuugi was instantly suspicious.
"Why?"
"I'm offering you a chance at popularity; a chance at being visible. If I were you, I would jump at this chance. Besides, I don't have a date."
"You are the 'hottest catch' since you've came here. Why you would even stoop to my level escapes me. Go bother someone else. Now give me my book back." Yuugi replied irritably. He wasn't a fool. Something was amiss and Yuugi wanted no part in it.
"You'll regret that." Atemu ground out before retreating to his desk. He threw the book to Yuugi who caught it and glared. Typical jock… thinking everyone was stupid and an ever-faithful follower of their sport.
Days passed and Atemu did not trouble Yuugi again. Still, Yuugi avoided the other. Jocks tended to hang out in groups... which would mean more pain if Atemu was mad enough. But when Atemu never tried to take revenge, Yuugi calmed down a bit.
He really shouldn't have. Atemu cornered him after the last bell rang. He literally dragged Yuugi into an empty room and closed the door. Yuugi's eyes hardened with hatred.
"What do you mean by this?" he hissed, clutching his books to him. Atemu did not answer. He stepped forward while Yuugi stepped back until Yuugi had no space left. Atemu trapped the other against the wall, preventing him from moving at all. Yuugi's eyes widened fearfully. He wasn't a fool. He knew when something was getting out of hand.
"Get off of me, you sick bastard!" Atemu's body was pressing into his, making the jock moan from the heat. Yuugi struggled valiantly against the other but Atemu slapped him with the back of his hand to make him stop. It worked… for a while, at least.
"Stupid lowlife," he growled, voice different. He could very well see the fear in the other's violet eyes. And with Yuugi's body against his, Atemu could see him quite clearly.
"What do you want with me?" Yuugi asked, voice not betraying any fear. His eyes told a different story, however.
Atemu leaned closer, and whispered in Yuugi's ear, "This," He pressed his lips against Yuugi, surprising him greatly. He regained his senses and turned his head, breaking the disgusting kiss. He spat at Atemu, fear in his eyes replaced with hatred. Atemu wiped the spittle away and stared at his captive with a feral look in his eyes.
"Bastard!" He continued his struggles and was slapped again. Atemu looked at the hate-filled eyes that glared at him and kissed him again. He held the other's wrists at his sides and ravaged his mouth. Yuugi couldn't break away from the kiss. Tears slipped down his cheeks. He hated being in this kind of position. He felt so helpless, so useless, completely out of control. Hatred welled inside him.
Atemu parted only after his breath had completely left him. He observed the tears and the kiss-bruised lips on Yuugi's pale face.
"Will you consent to go to the dance with me now?" He asked. Yuugi glared with all the hatred he could muster in his small body.
"Go to hell, you stupid jock. I'll never go anywhere with you!" Even from his helpless position, Yuugi was still determined not to give in.
"Well, I guess I get to claim my consolation prize." He kissed the other again, much to Yuugi's disgust and wedged a knee between Yuugi's legs.
Once the horrifying truth crossed Yuugi's mind, fear and hate flashed through him. "Stop it!" Despite Atemu's warmth, Yuugi suddenly felt very cold. He could feel Atemu smirking against his skin.
Atemu stepped back, letting Yuugi sink to the floor. Inwardly, he seethed. But his face was blank as he stared into Atemu's triumphant eyes.
"You sure you don't want to go to the dance with me?"
"Go to hell," he paused, as if considering Atemu request. "My answer will never change." Atemu glared.
"We'll see, shrimp." The derogatory nickname struck a chord within the teen. He rose slowly, never breaking eye contact with the foolish jock.
"Say that again." He ordered, voice icily smooth. Atemu simply smirked again.
"Pathetic, weak, worthless shrimp," he taunted. He never expected Yuugi's fist swing towards him. Thanks to the element of surprise, the fist wasn't blocked or stopped; it hit its intended target dead on…
Atemu stepped backward, clutching his cheek in pain. Yuugi's eyes showed nothing but hate. The rage that burned within him had reared its ugly head and struck. Yuugi took advantage of the pause to grab his books and run. He wasn't stupid. Atemu was stronger, faster, and now probably furious. So Yuugi kept running and never looked back.
Atemu sank to the floor, listening to Yuugi's footsteps die away. Half of him wanted to follow the brat and beat the shit out of him; the other half couldn't blame him for what he just did.
Atemu wasn't a bad person. He was quite nice and a loyal friend… but no one bothered to get close enough to him to really know him. The basketball team was just a distraction. Atemu was really a very lonely person. All the girls he dated were too clingy. They all wanted him because of his fame. No one wanted him for him.
Ironically, first period was his salvation. It provided Atemu a chance to make Yuugi fall madly in love with him. It was a project on history and weirdly enough, Atemu was assigned Egypt. The teacher paired off students. Some groaned; some cheered. Yuugi was one of the many that groaned. Atemu merely smirked to himself.
Yuugi glared at Atemu and chose not to comment on his smirk. "We'll have to do this project somewhere. It can't be my house and it certainly will not be yours. We'll just have to meet somewhere public. How about the library, today at five?" Atemu nodded his assent.
"I look forward to doing this project with you." He said coolly. The bell rang, saving Yuugi the agony of answering. He merely glared and gathered his things, pointedly ignoring the aggravating jock.
At the library, the two were secluded and surround with books on the extensive history of Egypt. Yuugi was engrossed in a book about grand lives of Pharaohs while Atemu lounged about, having no love for books or reading. Yuugi kept writing down little facts on a dark green notebook. When he looked up and didn't see Atemu, he assumed he was looking for more books. But when he noted the pile of books around them, he knew something was up. Yuugi wasn't a fool; he knew someone was here, distracting Atemu. And frankly, it irked him to no end.
"Damn jock," he muttered to himself, marking his place in the book. He heard hushed voice chatting about the upcoming high school dance. One was Atemu's baritone, the other Yuugi recognized as Jounouchi, another idiotic jock.
Times like these, Yuugi took advantage of his invisibility. He didn't even need to hide but he did anyway. Atemu always seemed to see him. Whether it was a fluke or his invisibility wearing off, Yuugi did not know. But he was determined to figure it out.
"So, the bet still on?"
"After that dance, you'll owe me a thousand yen."
"You sound confident."
"I am."
"So have you chosen your victim?"
"I have."
"Great! Tell me who it is."
"No. You will find out at the dance, like everyone else." Yuugi heard Jounouchi whine pathetically, like the stupid dog he was.
"Aw, come on! I won't tell a soul!" Atemu scoffed indifferently.
"If I told you, Honda-kun would mysteriously know too. The cheerleaders would know. The entire fucking population in Domino High would know. No, I refuse to tell you. Now if you excuse me, I need to get back to that little violet-eyed wonder."
"Who?" Jounouchi never did get his question answered. Atemu had left and so had Yuugi.
By the time, Atemu was back at the table, Yuugi was there. His form flickered in and out of focus in front of Atemu but he could make out two hating eyes glaring at him.
"Have you even read one book?" Yuugi ground out, trying to remain civil. He was seething and Atemu would be a harmless pile of ashes if looks could burn. Unfortunately, looks don't burn. So Atemu was spared being zapped into a pile of ashes.
"I don't need books." Atemu answered haughtily. "I know everything there is to know about Egypt. After all, I was born there."
"Your foolish pride is quite the detriment. I hope your idiocy does not ruin my chances for a good grade."
It took Atemu five seconds to realize that Yuugi had just insulted him. By then, Yuugi was exasperated. The stupid jock stalked up to the other and slapped him. Oddly, it was the same place Yuugi had punched the other before. What goes around comes around.
Yuugi glared fiercely at Atemu. He packed his things and took three of the books with him. Atemu stood there, blinking stupidly.
"We'll continue this project somewhere else." Yuugi ordered coldly. He left the Duel King standing these, gaping like a fish.
"By Ra, I admire this kid!"
Two days later, Atemu found Yuugi sitting in his tree, reading The Golden Compass. Their project was still unfinished and was due very soon. Yuugi had been doing the entire project by himself, without Atemu's interference. Needless to say, Atemu was pissed.
Yuugi noticed Atemu first while the other looked around, trying to find him. Yuugi rolled his eyes and jumped out of the tree, startling Atemu, thereby making him jump backwards. Yuugi resisted the urge to roll his eyes again.
"What do you want?"
"Other than you consenting to attend the dance with me?"
"Bastard," Yuugi snarled, "my answer is still the same. Now if you don't mind, I've got a book to finish." Atemu reached out and seized Yuugi's wrist.
"What makes you think you can talk to me like that?" Atemu replied scathingly. "I'm the King of Games." Yuugi sighed.
"Well, your highness, I think you're an idiot doesn't think at all. Now if you deem it worthy, let go." Yuugi seethed. His patience was wearing thin and the stupid jock wasn't helping things either. Why couldn't he just completely ignore Yuugi like everyone else did?
"I will not." Atemu replied evenly. Yuugi scowled darkly. "Not until you agree to come over to my house and finish the project together," Yuugi pondered the strange request but decided Atemu could do no harm.
"Fine," Atemu released the other's wrist. Almost instantly, Yuugi faded from sight, even though he was still standing right in front of the other. Scowling again, Yuugi walked away. He blended right into the scenery.
The basketball sauntered over and dragged Atemu to the courts. They started a four on four game that ended 10 to 8, with Atemu's team winning. Once the others left, Jounouchi confronted Atemu.
"So how's the bet coming along? Am I going to take 1000 yen from you?"
"No, you're not!" Atemu snapped irascibly. "He's warming up to me."
"He?" Jounouchi asked, stunned.
"Yes, he. You never said it had to be a girl."
"Well, I assumed you were straight!" Atemu glowered at the blond. Jounouchi flinched from the harshness in his expression.
"I'm bi, got a problem with that?"
"No, I just didn't expect it." Jounouchi raised his hands, signaling defeat. He didn't want to fight with the King of Games. He always won.
The day dragged on and on and on and on… When the last bell rang, Atemu jumped out of his seat and ran out the door. The project was due Monday. That gave the two a little less than three days to complete the damned thing.
"Mondays, why must it be a Monday? I hate Mondays." Atemu muttered to himself as the Friday crowd rush parted for him. He was practically royalty in this school. Why shouldn't the population bow to him?
Yuugi was outside, reading again. Everyone passed by him without a second glance, talking about what they were going to do over the weekend. Atemu almost passed him too. Had it not been for Yuugi calling him, he would have walked by without a second thought.
"Let's get this over with." Atemu gripped Yuugi's hand, not wanting to lose sight of him… again.
Atemu practically dragged the other to his limo, pushing people out of the way at the same time. No one noticed Yuugi all the while, which was kind depressing for the smaller teen. No one likes being completely ignored.
The limo ride was incredibly silent. The vastness of the limousine did not surprise Yuugi. After all, Atemu was the King of Games. Of course he would be rich enough to buy things afforded to only the powerful. Yuugi sighed. If he were rich, maybe people could see him.
Atemu vigilantly kept watch on Yuugi. But it seemed Yuugi's dark clothes blended with the interior of the limousine, making it difficult to see him.
"You know, you're the first who hasn't ignored my existence."
"What?"
"Ever since I've moved here, I've been completely ignored. At first, I read nothing from it. But when the teachers started looking over me too, I knew I was cursed." Yuugi shook his head and sighed. "I know you're going to leave too. My grandfather will soon. It's only a matter of time until the entire world forgets me. Sometimes, I think it would be better if I just disappeared."
Atemu said nothing. What could be said? He barely knew Yuugi and at times, forgot him too. Nothing he said would mean anything. Yuugi gave a dry chuckle.
"You've probably forgotten me right now." Yuugi paused. "At least being invisible gave me a chance to live. Bullies could never see me. I could blend in so easily. So I kept living… Well, as alive anyone can be without disappearing completely." Tears fell from Yuugi's eyes. "All I ever wanted was a friend, someone who could see me perfectly. I used to dream about meeting such a person. But as the years passed, it became clear my dream would never come true."
Atemu stared. Could be really hurt this person? He didn't even deserve any more pain. But a bet was a bet and he had to follow through.
"My worst fear is one day, I'll wake up and I won't exist. If I just faded from the mind of everyone who's seen me, would I fade away too? Would anyone bother to mourn or miss me? It's just like that saying about the tree in the forest. If a tree falls and no one's around to hear it, then it never was really there." Yuugi gave a shuddering sigh. "You would never know how it feels to be invisible. You're famous. Everyone loves the King of Games. Everyone wants to date the King of Games. I envy you."
Atemu swore Yuugi's form flickered in front of him. Could a person really disappear? Gently, he moved Yuugi into his arms. Atemu had no idea what he was doing. His reputation would crash and burn if anyone saw him. Yuugi didn't seem to mind though. His hands gripped Atemu's jacket in a death-grip and let the tears fall. There was no way to stop them.
Suddenly realizing who was holding him, Yuugi pushed Atemu away, harshly brushing his tears away. Atemu obediently backed away. The rest of the ride was quiet as Yuugi stared out the window, silently wiping his tears away.
They spent the entire day working on the project. By the time they were done, it was very late. The sun had set had darkness had fallen. Yuugi sighed. It was entirely too late for him to walk home. Even though his was invisible, he didn't want to take any unnecessary chances. But where would he go?
"Uh… Yuugi, would you like to stay the night? My parents are never home so you're welcome to do so." Yuugi smiled gratefully.
"If it's not too much trouble,"
"Of course not. Would you like to call home and tell someone?" Atemu held out a phone for Yuugi to grab.
"Thank you," Yuugi called the game shop and left a message, as his grandfather was probably sleeping. Atemu directed Yuugi a spare bedroom, across from Atemu's own room.
"Good night," Yuugi whispered. Atemu blinked. Yuugi had disappeared from sight again.
"Good night," They parted and went into their separate rooms. Yuugi found a black silk pajama lying on the bed. He smiled to himself. Atemu had probably laid it out for him. He changed and made himself comfortable on the large bed.
"He'll probably regret everything he did tomorrow morning." Yuugi sighed. He rolled over and soon fell asleep, despite all his gloomy thoughts.
Atemu was startled awake by a distant cry. When it didn't repeat itself, Atemu slowly drifted off. But he heard it again later. And the sound seemed to be coming from the room across from his. At first, Atemu pondered as to why there would be a noise in the room across from his if there was no one there. Then he remembered Yuugi was there. Springing from bed, Atemu ran to Yuugi's room.
"Please, no! Don't leave! No!" Yuugi fitfully tossed and turned, tears falling from his closed eyes. Atemu stood there for second, unsure as of what to do. But he climbed onto the bed and tried to rouse the other.
"Yuugi, wake up. Everything's fine. Yuugi!" Atemu continued shaking the other until cloudy amethyst irises revealed themselves. Without knowing who was comforting him, Yuugi clung to his support and cried.
"So dark, so dark," Yuugi clutched at Atemu's pajamas, shaking furiously.
"It's okay, Yuugi." Atemu reached over and flipped the light on. "See, it's not dark. It's safe." Gradually, Yuugi's intense shaking stopped. He realized who he was holding and let go, blushing profusely. He immediately missed Atemu's comforting warmth.
"I… I'll just go now…" Atemu reluctantly let go of Yuugi and left the room. Yuugi shivered, hugging himself. He felt something terrible had happened. But it was only a dream. Only a dream.
He got up and turned on the radio. He turned to his favorite station that played soft rock. Yuugi wished that he had the foresight to bring his iPod. All his Rascal Flatts songs were on it. He sighed and got back into bed. Turning slightly, he saw the digital clock, green digits announcing the time. Yuugi sighed. It was only 2 AM.
Atemu stood outside Yuugi's door, listening to Yuugi's breathing and the music. He was furious at himself. He almost offered to stay there with the other teen. Could he be… falling for the invisible teen? Inconceivable.
He returned to his room and lied down on the bed, hands behind his head. Yuugi was merely a pawn. He was nothing. He was just an invisible nerd that was never noticed. If Atemu stooped to Yuugi's level, he would be rejected and scorned. But there was a chance that he would be accepted. After all, he was the playmaker of the basketball team, the most important player. He sighed. The food chain was a dangerous place. It was better for both if Atemu just ignored the feeling. It would pass away soon enough.
Morning could not come fast enough for Yuugi. He said a quick goodbye to Atemu and left in a hurry. But he didn't get far. Atemu grabbed his wrist after he had stepped out the door.
"Would you like a ride? You would get home faster that way. It'll be safer too." Atemu's firm look told Yuugi he would not take no for an answer. Reluctantly, he consented.
Again they were silent in the limo. Yuugi kept hoping Atemu would not bring up the subject of his nightmare. Unfortunately, it seemed some deity hated him.
"Do you get nightmares often?" Yuugi glanced at Atemu, wanting very much to tell him off. But this was a jock. Tell off a jock and the next day everyone in the school knows and hates you. It was social suicide.
"I get them all the time. Every night I'm afraid to sleep for fear of what I'll dream of. It's horrible. I've trained myself to function on three, maybe four hours of sleep a day. Sometimes I catch a few naps during break. You're the first person other than my grandfather to know this." He chuckled dryly. "The whole population will probably know by Monday."
"You're not going to beg me not to reveal your secret?"
"Beg? Ha, you must be joking. I can't ban you from doing anything. You'll probably do it to spite me. I can't trust anyone with my secrets. The only person who knows me is my journal. And it can't even talk to me." He laughed humorlessly.
"Don't you have any friends?" Yuugi glared at Atemu.
"My friends are books and my journal. Other than that, I have no one."
"I'm sorry."
"Of course you are," Yuugi replied sarcastically. "And I own the world." Atemu scowled to himself. He was no closer to his goal than before. The dance was only a few weeks away. Maybe he should just choose another person. No. Atemu never refused a challenge. Jounouchi would learn that the hard way.
"Sir, there is a problem."
"What?"
"I cannot get past the police roadblock."
"Roadblock?" Atemu glanced at Yuugi's worried face. "Stay here; we'll see what's going on." He grabbed Yuugi's hand and pulled him from the limo. Once outside, he let go. The police say Atemu there, not Yuugi. It seemed Yuugi's choice of clothing, black, had blended right in with the car behind him.
"What are you doing here? You have no business here." A gruff policeman interrogated. While Atemu kept talking to the police about what happened, Yuugi slipped past them all. Once he went under the yellow tape he let out an audible sob. His grandfather lay dead on the pavement. Yuugi slid to his knees.
"Jii-chan? No. It's not possible. Please, no! NO!" He let out a long bloodcurdling scream. Everyone immediately turned to the sound. Even if it was only a fleeting glance, some saw him. He ignored them all. The person who reared him from the time his parents abandoned him had died. Now he had no one at all. Everything would change now. He would be forced into foster care and forgotten. His eighteenth birthday seemed years away.
Atemu reached him before anyone else did. He looked at Yuugi's shaking form for a second and could've sworn the teen flickered in front of him. He shook it off and gathered the other in his arms. Atemu did nothing to still the tears; he just let Yuugi cry. Dimly, he wondered how many times they'd been in this position. Yuugi didn't even register who was holding him. All he thought about was his grandfather.
"Do you know this guy? We don't have any identification for him."
"His… His name is—was Mutou Sugoroku. He was my grandfather." Yuugi choked out, voice surprisingly steady.
"And how old are you?"
"I'm sixteen." Atemu glared at the officers that looked at each other skeptically.
"I can vouch for him. He's in all my classes at Domino High. Check his records if you don't believe me."
"What's his name?"
"Mutou Yuugi,"
"Where's he going to stay?" Atemu hesitated. He knew Yuugi would be sent to a foster unit or orphanage if he didn't say something. Then he would lose that bet to Jounouchi.
"He's staying with me." The officer in front of him blinked. Atemu frowned. Let them think what they wished to think. He answered a few more questions and left with Yuugi in his arms.
In the privacy of the limo, Atemu took a good look at Yuugi. Without his guarded demeanor, Yuugi looked just like a lost child. Could he really be cruel enough to bring more grief to this person? He didn't even deserve it.
"Sir?"
"Just go back home,"
"Yes, sir,"
Back at home, Atemu carried Yuugi again. The other had fallen asleep, no doubt from exhaustion. He wondered how much Yuugi weighed. He seemed impossibly light. Atemu kept pondering things about Yuugi until he got to hallway with his bedroom. Should he let Yuugi sleep in his room or the guest room? He decided to let Yuugi sleep in his room. If Yuugi was comforted by Atemu, his room would be perfect for Yuugi.
He tucked the smaller teen under the covers and looked at him. Atemu ran his hand through Yuugi's silky locks. They were as soft as he imagined. Realizing what he was doing, he jerked his hand away. He looked at his hand and glared at Yuugi's sleeping form.
"Do you have any idea what you're doing to me?" Atemu sighed and turned to leave. A soft cry stopped him in his tracks. The cries steadily grew louder and more desperate. Nightmares, Atemu mused. Yuugi has nightmares.
He returned to Yuugi's side and started shaking the teen awake. His efforts were rewarded as Yuugi slowly awoke. Seeing Atemu, he jerked back and looked around. He instantly began panicking.
"Yuugi, it's all right! We're back at my place. Calm down!" But Yuugi kept shaking his head while breathing erratically. Atemu grabbed for his wrist and held on when Yuugi's pulled away. His pulse was quickening and Yuugi wouldn't stop shaking. Without thinking, Atemu bodily grabbed the other and pressed him against his body.
"Feel my heartbeat. Calm down. Breathe in; breathe out. Breathe in; breathe out." Slowly, Yuugi regained his senses. He noticed where he was and blushed, pulling away.
"Thank you, Atemu, for all you've done. I appreciate it, really. But forgive me, I still don't trust you." He smiled sadly and got up. Atemu said nothing. "I hope you understand. I barely know you. You've shown me that you're kind but my first impression of you still plagues me." Atemu remembered that time where he had caught Yuugi and dragged him into a classroom. He winced slightly.
"I see you've forgotten. I haven't. You haunt my nightmares too." Atemu backed up, giving Yuugi a wider berth.
"I'm… sorry," Yuugi gave a humorless chuckle.
"I can't help what I feel for you regardless of how you hurt me. I… I think I like you, Atemu. I can't help it. I'm supposed to hate you like you're supposed to ignore me. Yet you're different."
"Yuugi… I feel the same. That time was a mistake, a foolish mistake. I regret it deeply." He couldn't tell the other that it was all a bet. If Yuugi 'loved' him, everything was going smoothly.
"Will you… stay with me? I don't want to go back to the dark alone."
"Of course," Atemu replied softly. He had no idea what he was doing. His mind kept thinking about what the other kids would say. Forcefully, he pushed those thoughts away and got into the bed with Yuugi. Warmth filled his senses.
"I think I'm still falling." Yuugi whispered beside him. Atemu almost laughed at the irony of the statement. Yuugi still had no idea of the abyss waiting to swallow him.
Atemu never registered falling asleep but he must've. Because when he awoke, Yuugi was snuggled up at his side. At first he wondered what the hell had transpired yesterday to wake up with Yuugi in his arms. Then he remembered Yuugi's distraught demeanor and his own invitation. Atemu groaned. They had school today.
They spent the next few minutes choosing something to wear. Atemu lent Yuugi some clothes, which fit surprisingly well on him. Atemu's breakfast was a simple sandwich and Yuugi settled for nibbling on buttered bread. He smiled weakly when Atemu asked why he ate so little.
"No reason," Atemu gave him a look but didn't inquire further.
The ride to school was as silent as any other limo ride the two had shared. Atemu kept his eyes fixed on Yuugi, trying to keep from the other from disappearing in front of him again. Unfortunately, it didn't last. As soon as Atemu emerged from the limo, his team surrounded him and dragged him away, leaving Yuugi behind. Atemu looked behind him and saw Yuugi smile sadly with hurt clearly written in his eyes. Then he disappeared.
Atemu didn't see him in first period. When no one was looking he reached over and touched nothing but air in Yuugi's vacant seat. So he wasn't there. Atemu frowned in thought.
Atemu didn't see his younger double the entire day. Fear gripped him. Did Yuugi finally disappear? His fears were alleviated when he returned home. Yuugi was lying on the couch, sleeping. Atemu let a small smile grace his face. He certainly hoped that Yuugi was not plagued by nightmares. The younger deserved a peaceful rest for once.
He let Yuugi sleep while he did his homework. Occasionally, Atemu looked up just to watch his double. Every time he did so, he mentally slapped himself. He could not fall for someone on the bottom rung of the social ladder. It was impossible. Both he and Yuugi would be shunned, thereby ruining his reputation and street cred. He thought for a second. He was the King of Games… who gave a flying fuck what others thought?
Smirking, he sauntered over to where Yuugi lay and straddled him. Being the light sleeper he always was, Yuugi awoke and saw Atemu above him. He tried to move but found himself trapped. Atemu bit his lip to hold back a moan when Yuugi moved underneath him. Realizing he had nowhere to go, Yuugi stopped, looking up with wide, confused eyes.
"Atemu, may I ask what the hell you're doing?"
"I don't know… I'm making this up as I go. Do you want me to stop?" Atemu asked as he kept touching the teen beneath him. Yuugi moaned softly.
"Would you stop if I asked you to?" Atemu smothered Yuugi in another fiery kiss before answering.
"Yes," He gently caressed Yuugi's pale skin, marveling at how soft it was. "You don't think I'm taking advantage of you, right?" Yuugi smirked and arched his back, letting Atemu know how much he was enjoying his attentions. Atemu bit his lip to hold back a groan.
"So can I continue?" Atemu asked, panting slightly. Yuugi nodded.
"I think… I might actually trust you, Atemu. Please… Don't hurt me." Yuugi's words cut a hole in Atemu's heart. But he shook it off and continued loving Yuugi.
Atemu started realizing that he could not go through with the damn bet. But he never lost and never backed down from a challenge. Yuugi never saw it coming until the last possible moment. By then, it was too late for both to turn back. This was it… the point of no return.
The dance was only in a few days… Atemu still had not mustered the courage to ask his lover to the dance. Yuugi never gave any hint about wanting to go to the dance. So Atemu decided just to ask him.
He sat in his desk first period, lazing about, waiting for Yuugi. A soft voice at his ear caught his attention. Yuugi had snuck up on him while Atemu wasn't paying attention.
"You look like you're miles away." Atemu jumped slightly, clearly not expecting anyone behind him. He smiled slightly when he saw his smaller lover.
"Yuugi, I was just thinking of you." Yuugi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Do… Do you want to go with me to the upcoming dance?" Yuugi blinked in surprise.
"Hmm, I guess I will go." Yuugi kissed Atemu's ear lightly and sat in his seat just as the teacher walked in. Atemu's heart clenched painfully. The bet was still on… and Yuugi had just sealed his own fate agreeing to go to that damned dance. Inwardly, he winced. Was it even worth a thousand yen to break the heart of Yuugi so soon after the death of his grandfather?
The night before the dance, Atemu was desperate. It showed in their night together. But Yuugi did not comment on his desperate kisses. He merely kissed back with small promises of love. It did not allay Atemu's fears. This night… would probably be the last night Atemu would ever hold Yuugi in his arms again.
"Love, what do you think?" Yuugi stood at their shared bedroom door, showing off his choice of clothing for the dance. He wore white leather pants that clung to his legs, showing off his curves. A silver chain hung off his hips. His top was the same shade as his eyes. The sleeves were paler and made of some sort of sheer material. Atemu's heart throbbed with pain. But he forced a smile and wrapped his arms around Yuugi.
"It's wonderful, Yuugi." Atemu himself wore black leather, as always, that wrapped around his legs like a second skin. His shirt was a dark navy blue, a color that suited him perfectly. Holding Yuugi, Atemu held back tears that threatened to fall. He kept replaying what he had to do at the dance.
At the dance, Atemu was fawned over. But when they glimpsed Yuugi, their jaws dropped. Even if it was only a glimpse of the teen, they still saw his beauty. Yuugi never talked to any of the people that approached Atemu. But Atemu still held on to his arm tightly, never letting him out of his sight.
Then Jounouchi sauntered over, smirking.
"I gotta hand it to ya, Atemu. Your date is hot. Too bad, huh?" Atemu growled, tightening his hold on Yuugi's hand. It was time…
"Atemu… what does he mean?" Jounouchi's smirk looked positively menacing. Atemu's grip tightened once more then slackened suddenly. He rounded on Yuugi, eyes blazing with an unreadable emotion.
"You… You're such a whore! You're nothing but a dirty little whore whose worth is even below shit!" Yuugi gasped, taking a step backwards. A crowd gathered, surrounding Atemu and Yuugi.
"Atemu…" Tears welled up behind his purple eyes but Yuugi refused to let them fall, not yet.
"Don't say my name! Don't you dare defile my name, you bitch!"
"Why? Why are you saying this? What did I do?" Yuugi reached out to Atemu. The Duel King flinched away from the touch.
"I never want to see you again!" Atemu ripped off a necklace on Yuugi's neck and violently pushed him away. People jumped out of the way as Yuugi fell. Yuugi stood facing Atemu. His necklace dangled from Atemu's hand, broken. His mother's necklace… Yuugi blinked back tears, but he understood now.
"It was all a bet, wasn't it?" Atemu looked at the floor, eyes cast down. "That was the bet? So… everything… everything was a joke, wasn't it?" Yuugi closed his eyes against the tears that threatened to overwhelm him. "So now what? You get a thousand yen, then what?"
"Yuugi…"
"Forget it, Atemu. There's nothing more that you can break. There's nothing more you can say. There's nothing more you can take from me." Yuugi turned his back on Atemu. "You said you never want to see me again. Fine. Goodbye, Atemu."
Yuugi's retreating form suddenly disappeared, but it wasn't from his invisibility. Someone had grabbed him, pinning him on the floor.
"If Atemu-sama had a good fuck with you, and he's thrown you away, I can take some!" Yuugi gasped, trying to push the teen off him.
"Ushio!" Atemu thundered. "None of you will harm him! He is still mine! You can't touch him." Reluctantly, Ushio got off of Yuugi. A few tears fell from Yuugi closed eyes as he sat up. Atemu felt like he was the worst person in the world. He could just see Yuugi's shattered heart on the floor, crushed into small pieces.
Yuugi ignored everyone as he left the school. Once he was outside, he climbed up his favorite tree and let all his tears go. He stopped suddenly. Yuugi jumped down from the tree, feeling sick all of a sudden. He kneeled in the grass and heaved his meager dinner.
"I hate this… I fucking hate this." Yuugi thought about what he was going to do. He had no place to go now that his grandfather was… gone. It turned out there was no foul play involved with his death. His heart had just given out on him when he tried to go grocery shopping.
Yuugi continued thinking about it until it hit him. He had enough money to leave. Once his grandfather had died, he couldn't keep the game shop. So he had sold it and put the money in the bank for safekeeping. Now was a perfect time to disappear.
He retrieved his money and hurried back to Atemu's house, avoiding anyone that could possibly be hostile. Getting there was easy enough… the wave of memories hitting him was difficult to weather.
Gritting his teeth, Yuugi gathered all his possessions. When he was done, there was not a single trace of him left in the mansion. He blinked back tears several times. Taking one last look at the mansion, Yuugi left.
He disappeared into the night, without anyone seeing or hearing him. He simply disappeared…
Atemu sat outside, having no need to step back into the hellhole he had created. He fingered the thousand yen in his hand. Was it even worth it? Atemu sighed. He started walking back home, thinking and regretting what he had done only minutes before.
Once he got back home, the home felt strangely empty. Something seemed to be missing. He looked around and found his answer. There were no traces of another person living in the mansion. Yuugi had left. Atemu stared at something attached the door of his room. It was from Yuugi.
Atemu,
I understand now. There's no need for regrets. But couldn't you have kept you hands off me? Nothing I ever did meant anything to you, did it? So yesterday's desperation did have a reason. So I packed and left. I figured you wouldn't mind since you can't even see me either. Everything you bought me I left… including that bracelet. You can keep my mother's necklace. When you ripped it off my neck, the gold holding the pearl broke. That pearl… I saw it shatter on the ground. Atemu… I didn't think you would do something like this. But I was wrong. Here, I left this for you.
Love is a glass heart
so pure, so wonderfully beautiful,
so depressingly fragile.
The one who owns it can do whatever they want with it
Hold it gently,
Hold it harshly,
But pray they never drop it
The second they drop you heart, it's over
No more heart, no more love.
Shattered, broken
Irreparable, irretrievable, irreplaceable,
Remorse, regret... revenge,
Love is a glass heart
Keep it.
Goodbye, Atemu.
Atemu clutched the paper in his hand, heading towards the bathroom. He felt sick all of a sudden, as if Yuugi had poisoned the paper. He looked at himself in the mirror, seeing only a horrid bastard. Rage welled inside him and he punched his reflection. Blood dripped from his knuckles, but he paid it no mind.
He fell asleep on the floor of the bathroom, feeling sorry for himself. Blood had dripped onto the paper, marring it… marked just like Yuugi. The mark was never to be washed off. It would never fade.
The worst thing was… Atemu forgot. Yuugi faded from his mind, much like his disappearance that night five years ago. All that Atemu remembered was murderous amethyst eyes, forever haunting his dreams. He remembered he had a lover, someone he regretted losing. But he couldn't remember Yuugi. It was like Yuugi's disappearance caused him to forget. Sometimes, in his dreams, the expression in purple eyes changed. But usually, hate and rage were the only emotions visible.
Atemu remained the King of Games, the Lord of Duel Monsters… he heard rumors of a duelist in the West that never lost. In a tournament that Kaiba Corporation hosted, Atemu finally found the one that haunted his dreams… the violet-eyed duelist.
But Atemu didn't remember.
Owari
YD: (smirks) I told you this was AU. I don't like the ending though… It seemed so harsh. But I had to do it! Phantom wouldn't let me change it! But Fabio made me write another ending… a fluffier and happier ending. If you want to, read it.
HS: Yes, that horrid poem is mine. I thought it fit even though it is quite bad. I'm not a very good poet…
YD: Okay, here's your second ending.
At the dance, Atemu was fawned over. But when glimpsed Yuugi, their jaws dropped. Even if it was only a glimpse of the teen, they still saw his beauty. Yuugi never talked to any of the people that approached Atemu. But Atemu still held on to his arm tightly, never letting him out of his sight.
Then Jounouchi sauntered over, smirking.
"I gotta hand it to ya, Atemu. Your date is hot. Too bad, huh?" Atemu growled, tightening his hold on Yuugi's hand. It was time…
"Atemu… what does he mean?" Jounouchi's smirk looked positively menacing. Atemu's grip tightened once more then slackened suddenly. He had made his choice.
"Back off, Jounouchi-kun. The bet's not worth it anymore. I would rather have Yuugi than a thousand yen." Atemu turned to Yuugi, kissing him deeply. "I made a bet with Jounouchi. I had to take someone to this dance and humiliate them. But now that you're here, I can't. I can't do it."
"That means I win, Atemu-kun." Atemu flung a thousand yen at the smirking teen, not caring the slightest. Yuugi touched Atemu's arm, pulling him back.
"You chose me over Jounouchi-kun? Atemu…" Yuugi kissed him lightly. "Thank you."
"Yuugi, please don't leave me… Please don't." He held on to Yuugi possessively, glaring at anyone that dared come close to them. Yuugi led him outside, towards his favorite tree.
"We're alone here, love. No one can see us." He helped Atemu into the tree, smiling softly. He played with his necklace while waiting for Atemu to calm down.
"Why do you have that? It's a girl's necklace…" Yuugi smiled.
"It belonged to my mother."
"Oh… I'm sorry, Yuugi. I was tactless."
"It's all right. You didn't mean to." Yuugi touched the necklace. It was a pretty thing, really. The pearl seemed to shimmer with other-worldly light, even in the dark. Surrounding it was a thin gold membrane that encased it. A small silver chain held the pearl around Yuugi's neck. Though the gold did not fully cover the pearl, it still prevented anything from touching it. There were holes… but no one could reach the pearl.
"I love you too damn much to let you go, Yuugi. I couldn't go through with it. You're just worth too much to me."
"Atemu, it's okay. I'm not going to leave. I'll stay with you."
"Thank you, Yuugi. I love you…" Atemu clung to his lover, not used to the feeling of being insecure.
"I know, Atemu. I love you too." Yuugi kissed Atemu lightly, with only love fueling the gentle kiss. "Everything will be all right now."
Everyone talked about Atemu's declaration at the dance. Rumors circulated like wildfire. The press caught wind of some rumors and had a field day. But Atemu had Yuugi… so nothing truly bothered him. It became easier and easier to see Yuugi. Finally, Atemu could see him without straining to.
Yuugi was finally visible.
Owari
YD: Okay, the necklace is random, yes, I know. But it did have a meaning. If you can guess it, kudos to you! It's not very hard.
HS: Wow… this is long. It's the longest one-shot I've ever written, that's for sure. And when I was writing the sadder ending, I thought of another fic. But I'll keep it on hold for now. Review please!