After school…
Atem was walking next to Yugi as the four of them walked home. Yami was up front talking with Jou, and Atem and Yugi had fallen behind a little, to talk more privately.
"Yugi," Atem asked warily. "Where were you at lunch? We didn't see you at the table and we were all worried." Yugi blinked then said, "Oh, didn't I tell you…I was retaking a test for science. I didn't do very well the first time, so I wanted to fix my grade." Yugi gave a small smile after he answered. Atem suddenly stopped walking and grabbed Yugi's shoulders rather harshly and looked him in the eyes.
"Yugi, look at me." Yugi raised his eyes, and Atem saw something that he had never seen there before. Fear. Is Yugi scared that I might hit him, or is he frightened about something else that he's not telling me about? "Yugi, what's going on? I've noticed that you're not your usual self lately, and I'm worried. Yami's worried. Everyone is. You can tell me what's on your mind, I'm always here for you Yugi. Please tell me." Atem's voice was tinted with hurt, knowing that something was bothering his precious Hikari and he didn't know what it was.
That was one of his flaws that Yami just loved to point out to him. Atem always needed to know, maybe it was because he had been deprived of his memories for so long, but he absolutely hated it when something was past his knowledge and he couldn't figure it out. So that's why he was so concerned for Yugi. Atem considered Yugi his brother. Some nights, he would stay awake until the dawn broke to try and figure out the things he didn't know. He would often wake up in the early morning hours and sit at the kitchen table, trying to escape his mind, but to no avail. Then Yami would wake up a few hours later and join him in silence at the table, Yami just waking up and Atem feeling comforted just to have another person with him. He hated to be alone.
Yugi looked into Atem's eyes again. "…no." he muttered, trying to free himself from Atem's death grip. "Please Aibou," Atem whispered. Yugi violently shook his head and immediately regretted it, it gave him a huge headache. "NO!" Yugi shouted. Mustering all the strength he had, he pulled himself away from Atem and ran down the sidewalk all the way to the Game Shop, and when he got home, he ran upstairs and locked himself in his bedroom. He wept.
It goes without saying that Yugi skipped out on the movies with the gang, and because Atem had been talking to Yami about his suspicions about the youngest boy, Yami and Atem stayed home too. When Atem and Yami arrived at the Game Shop, they found Yugi's bag abandoned next to the door, and it seems that Yugi had neglected to take off his shoes when got home as well. Yami threw off his shoes and ran upstairs to go find Yugi, and Atem followed suit.
They raced up to Yugi's room and tried to open the door, but it was locked. "Yugi! Are you in there?" Yami pounded on the door, but there was no answer from behind the hinges of the door. "Come on Yugi! We can help you! Just tell us what you're feeling! Why are you acting this way? PLEASE, we're here for you!" Yami continued to yell and pound the door, but there was still no answer.
Yami slid his hand down the door and landed on his knees. "Yugi," there was so much pain in Yami's voice, you would think that he had just been hit with a lethal bullet, and was on the edge of death. And that's how far he would go for Yugi. Even further than that, Yami would die and go back to the afterlife if it meant saving his Aibou. The first time he met Yugi, the boy was extremely weak, shy, and scared. Yami was his other half at that time, protecting Yugi, and dealing out punishments where necessary. Neither boy was too much different now than at that time. Yugi was still weak and defenseless, and Yami would still do anything for him to keep him safe and happy. Yami felt a pang in his chest where his heart beat. Even though they didn't share a body anymore, and the Millennium Puzzle was long gone, Yami had a connection with Yugi that people couldn't understand. Not even Atem shared this bond with Yugi like Yami did. And now, Yami felt a wave of emotions and pain that was almost too much for him to bear, and if Yami couldn't handle it, how could his Aibou? Yami swore to himself that whatever was making Yugi endure this pain, he would track him down, then they'll wish they had never crossed paths with Yami Motou.
"Yami," Atem put his hands on Yami shoulders; Yami was shuddering. Atem had never remembered seeing Yami cry. He was the main backbone of the three of them, he kept their spirits high and he could always be counted upon to put a smile on Yugi's face whenever Atem couldn't. Atem didn't want his best friends to bear all of this sadness, whatever was causing it. He wished that he could take it all on his shoulders, just like he had all of his kingdom's hopes and fears placed on his back during his time as Pharaoh. Atem gripped Yami's shoulders tighter, and a single tear fell from his red-violet eyes.
Yugi sat on his bed, knees tucked under his chin, tears flowing down his face like rivers, soaking the fabric of his sleeves. A few moments later he heard the sounds of Atem and Yami coming home. He didn't need a confrontation right now. He got up to make sure that his door was locked and heard Yami screaming at the top of his lungs for Yugi to come out, explain his feelings, that he was there for him. Explain my feelings? You're there for me? Yugi thought this with a hint of contempt. How can I explain to you, when you of all people wouldn't understand? How…? How can I…? Yugi placed his hand on the door and sank to his knees.
"You're…there for me?" he said, his voice barely a whisper. "Then…how come I can't talk to you…or explain my feelings to you…? How come you can't be the knights…and save me from the evils that plague me…? How come?" He placed his forehead against the door. I'm sorry…I'm so sorry… The tears on Yugi's face dripped down onto the carpet.
Yami and Atem leaned against the door, and closed their eyes both thinking the same thoughts. I wish I could be there for him, he just won't let me in. I wish I could carry his burden, but he won't allow me to share the weight. I wish I could be his knight and protect him every day, but every day we get pulled apart. I wish I could dry his tears… They pressed their hands on the door. …but this door will separate us.
"Goodnight, Aibou." Yami whispered, closing his eyes and falling asleep in front of Yugi's door.
"Goodnight Yugi, sleep well." Atem yawned and copied Yami's position.
"Goodnight, my knights…" Yugi whispered, then fell asleep curled in front of his door.
Ah, so this has been one of my favorite chapters so far, I hope you guys liked it too! I hope I'm updating fast enough! :) See ya soon!