Valkyria : Hello! I apologize for the delay of this chapter and the fact that it will be unbeta'd.
Griever : The updates will be a little slower since Valkyria will be starting a new job in a few hours from now actually...
Valkyria : That's right, so from now on some chapters will have been looked over by my beta -Jan Lee- or they will looked over carefully by me. So I apologize for any mistakes that you'll see. Griever! Do the disclaimer please!
Griever : We have no rights nor ownership over the anime Yu-gi-oh or any of it's characters! This chapter is short like the others, but we promise that from Chapter Six and on will be much longer!
Valkyria : Enjoy the story!
Chapter Five : Welcome to your new home Yugi!
Yugi wasn't angry enough not to notice the beauty of Atemu's three story home when they pulled up less than an hour later.
"Do you like it?" Atemu asked curiously. "You'll be living here for awhile."
"It's a very beautiful home." Yugi admitted softly. "Though beautiful things -such as yourself- have turned out to be very poisonous on the inside."
Not waiting for a response to that, Yugi climbed out of the car and gathered his bags from the backseat before walking up to the door.
"Yugi," Atemu began once he caught up. "This attitude of yours can't continue, if we're going to be living together for the next four years then we should at least be civil towards each other."
"Don't talk to me about being civil!" Yugi hissed. "Especially when you were so busy dangling my grandfathers deed above my nose like a master tempting his dog."
"Would it help if I said that I was sorry?"
'That depends," Yugi began dully. "If you actually meant it Atemu."
"I do mean it!" Atemu bit out. "I wouldn't be saying sorry if I didn't mean it, that would defeat the purpose of actually saying sorry now wouldn't it?"
Yugi shrugged with a look of indifference. "Some people say sorry just to get the other person to shut up about whatever they're arguing about."
"I sincerely apologize Yugi." Atemu hissed. "There are you satisfied?"
Yugi sighed overdramatically. "I suppose it would have to do Atemu, now open the door would you? You must have nosy neighbors living in this nice upstanding suburb."
Yugi ignored the curse directed at him as Atemu quickly unlocked the door and allowed him to enter first. Yugi would admit that Atemu had good taste in design, royal blue carpet covered the floor of the foyer and led up the staircase, many painting -some abstract- lined the walls and many vases filled with flowers -tulips and roses- were scattered about.
"You can cook right?" Atemu asked guiding him to the living room, which was as richly designed as the foyer with a large flat screen television hugging the wall with a black leather couch and loveseat stylishly set in front of it.
"I dabble," Yugi responded vaguely still looking around. "Why?"
"Because I can't." Atemu grumbled with a light flush over his tan features.
Laughter burst from Yugi's mouth before he could stop it. "Y-you're telling me that a handsome, successful businessman like yourself can't cook?"
"It's not that damn funny." Atemu muttered over Yugi's remaining chuckles. "dabble you say? How good are your cooking skills?"
"Probably better than anything you tried to attempt." Yugi drawled sarcastically. "Is that one of my duties as your assistant by the way? To cook for you?"
"Yes," Yugi scowled when Atemu gave him a smug smirk. "As a matter fact it is one of you duties."
I bet he just made it up. Yugi seethed. manipulative prick.
"I was right," Atemu stated with amusement. "You do remind me off a pissed off kitten. You can start cooking after you finish unpacking."
"I'm starting today!" Yugi yelped. "But I just got here! That isn't fair!"
Atemu raised an ebony eyebrow. "Oh? now you're complaining about me not being fair? I tried to make you as comfortable as possible Yugi, but you kept hissing at me the entire way here, so you can start cooking to let off some of that steam."
"Son of a-" Yugi's tirade was stopped when Atemu's cell phone rang. Yugi scowled when Atemu smirked at him and turned away.
Ignoring Atemu and mentally calling the man every insulting name he could think of, Yugi grabbed his belongings and trudged upstairs and grabbed the first livable bedroom he saw.
Not taking the time to look around at the spacious room, Yugi quickly set his luggage down on the bed and sped back out the room and back downstairs.
"Where's the kitchen!" Yugi called into the living room, not caring if Atemu was still on his phone or not.
Atemu scowled at him and pulled his phone away from his ear. "Down the hall and to your left, there should be something edible in there."
Taking the directions he was given, Yugi arrived to a very large and modern kitchen that looked like it hadn't been used in years, the granite counters were covered in a layer of dust, the hooks that were used to hang pots and pans were slightly rusted and finally floor was covered in dirt.
"How in the world does he survive?" Yugi wondered aloud as he walked into the kitchen, wincing when his clean socks left imprints behind on the floor.
"He didn't tell me I'd have to clean the place first before I started, I rather just order take out and clean this up for tomorrow."
"What's for dinner?" Atemu spoke up from the door way. Yugi turned and glared at the businessman who leaning casually against the dusted doorway.
"Why is this kitchen like this?" Yugi demanded slapping his hand lightly against the dusty countertop. "What, exactly have you been eating to survive all this time?"
Atemu shrugged and Yugi couldn't help but notice how broad Atemu's shoulders were when he did. "Ayame-san, my next door neighbor, always fixes me dinner when I'm home."
"That's it?"
"I do eat take-out other nights she doesn't have time to cook, she owns a chain of restaurants all over Japan."
"You eat take-out almost every night and still look like that?"
"What can I say?" Atemu chuckled. "I have a high metabolism and I'm always burning off calories because I travel between Egypt and Japan constantly."
Yugi's insides twisted with envy as he gazed upon Atemu's fit body hiding under a simple long-sleeved white shirt and designer blue jeans.
"-cooking?"
Yugi blinked and shook his head. "Excuse me?"
Atemu gave him a knowing smirk. "I asked what are you cooking?"
"Not a damn thing." was Yugi's bland response. As he expected, disapproval flashed in Atemu's crimson eyes.
"Why not? I told you it was one of your duties as my assistant-"
"I'm not cooking anything in the pathetic excuse you call a kitchen!" Yugi cut in ruthlessly. "You're so wealthy how come you couldn't keep this place clean?"
"Why have it cleaned when I don't even cook and no one is here beside me and a occasional guest."
Yugi felt his face heat up at Atemu implication. "Something told me you're a one-night stand man, you sick little pervert."
Atemu gave him a mock-hurt look. "I can be a relationship man if I want. If they look past my sexy looks first that is."
"Oh I can so seeing that happening." Yugi deadpanned. "I'll order something from somewhere and clean the kitchen in the meanwhile, any preferences?"
"That's a naughty question Yugi." Atemu leered. "What kind of preferences I have! Well…"
"Atemu."
"Yes Yugi?"
"I'll give you to the count of ten to get out of my face before I find something rusty in this kitchen and stick it where it doesn't belong."
"Aren't you the violent one."
"One-"
Atemu raised his hands and stepped away from the doorway. "Okay! I'll have pizza tonight. Please?"
"Fine. Two."
Atemu grew slightly pale at the second number. "You're still counting!"
"Three." Yugi became looking through the dusty cabinets and drawers.
"I'll be in my office! Tell me when the pizza's here!"
Yugi let a smile pull at his lips when he heard how far away Atemu's voice was, closing the cabinets and drawers.
Reaching into his pocket, Yugi pulled out a small oval locket, pushing the small button on the side it flicked open to reveal a picture of himself and Solomon. Even though his grandfather was sick back then, the old man still managed to pull off one of his famous, mischievous grins.
"Grandpa, I know you love me but did you honestly have to secure my future with someone like Atemu? Then again, you were always fond of pulling crazy pranks. Thanks for looking after me though, for giving me this chance."
Unbeknownst to Yugi, Atemu was standing outside the kitchen with a smile of his own. He had come back to see if Yugi wanted to sign up for college when he heard the younger man talking to a small object in his hand.
He knew that Yugi was having a hard time adjusting and the insults that were being thrown were only because Yugi felt insecure and alone -even though Atemu knew Yugi had a very close knit group of friends- friends could only do so much.
Atemu remembered one of the last few conversations he had with Solomon about Yugi. The old game shop owner had told him that his grandson was very kind but had a spark that had yet to be lit.
You want me to take him in? Atemu asked bewildered.
Solomon flashed him a mischievous grin that made Atemu weary. "Yes, my boy. I know Yugi is very responsible but too duty-bound when it comes to family. He would give up everything to make sure this shop survives."
"As he should." Atemu put in firmly. "from what you told me, he is a very kind-hearted boy is he not? I'm sure he doesn't want anything to happen to you or your shop-"
"If it costs him his future then I would rather tear the game shop down now." Atemu almost recoiled at the vehemence he heard in Solomon's voice.
"Motou-san…"
"When you get to know Yugi. You'll understand I say that he has a certain spark in him, a raw charisma -almost like your own but much more tame- that has yet to be seen."
Solomon reached forward and handed Atemu a folded piece of paper. Atemu took it gently and unfolded it, he frowned heavily as he read it contents.
"Motou-san? This is the deed to your shop. Why are you giving me this?"
"I want you to hold this against Yugi and force him to realize his dreams."
"….excuse me?"
"As you and father know. I am in debt mostly because of the medical bills that's why you already own half of the shop."
"Which will be returned to Yugi upon-"
"Upon my death. No need to remind me Atemu."
Atemu flushed in shame and bowed his head slightly. "Forgive me Motou-san."
"No apologies need my boy. The businessman in you allows you to be blunt."
Atemu had to snort at that comment. It's no excuse to remind a man of his death.
"Are you sure you want to do this Motou-san? To deprive Yugi of his inheritance…"
"It's for the boy's own good." Solomon said softly. "Do a kind old man a favor will you Atemu?"
"Anything."
"Try not to get my grandson in bed too soon when you see him. He's quite the looker you see!"
For the first time since being a teenager, Atemu felt blood rush to his entire face. "M-Motou-san!"
"-emu! Atemu!"
Blinking, Atemu looked down to see Yugi staring at him with concern, which quickly changed to annoyance at calling his name a second time.
"Yes?"
"I ordered the pizza. It should be coming in about thirty minutes. Is pepperoni okay?"
"Yes, that's fine. Thank you Yugi."
"…you're thank me…do you have a fever or something?"
"Did I have a fever when I talked to you a few moments ago Yugi?"
Yugi shrugged. "Many things can happen in a few minutes so who knows. You sure you're okay?"
Atemu laid his hand across Yugi's forehead, ignoring the cry of protest. "You're being nice Yugi, you sure you don't have a fever?"
Yugi slapped his hand away and grinned. "Just making sure my benefactor is feeling okay."
"Ouch." Atemu put his hand to his heart and pouted. "Benefactor? Is that all I am to you? No friend or acquaintance or even a lover?"
To his surprise, Yugi gave him a sincere smile and Atemu wondered how many emotions Yugi could go throw in such a short amount of time.
"Oh I don't know." Yugi teased with a grin. "lover doesn't sound too bad, you are a looker Atemu."
"Now you're just teasing me Yugi." Atemu grunted. "Didn't you say that beauty like mine could be poisonous?"
"What makes you think that I still don't think that?"
"Your sudden flirtatious attitude for one." Atemu pointed out. "I have no intention of jumping into bed with you Yugi, I do have promise to uphold."
Atemu watched with bitter amusement as Yugi's face turned a very vivid red. It was very attractive.
Yugi opened his mouth but was interrupted when the doorbell rang. Atemu pushed Yugi towards the living room.
"Go take a seat in the living room. We'll have to discuss your job as my assistant and your college entrance exams."
- End Chapter Five-
A/N : Thank you for reading and I should have the chapter up by Friday. So please be patient!