Writing Love On Scribbled Hearts

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh, nor do I claim any rights to the affiliated characters. This is a non-profit story.

Warnings/Notes: Possibly OOC. I made up the name of Yugi's mother and three dots indicate a "scene change" if you will. Thanks for your time. Beware or grammar and spelling mistakes.

"Aibou, you're falling asleep on your suit case again." Yami informed the smaller of the two through their mind link.

Yugi groaned groggily and sat up a bit, "Sorry." He murmured sleepily as he stood to collect himself, "I'm just tired from all the packing last night." He replied.

Yami smiled, "I told you to get some rest and let me pack." He half reminded and chided at the same time as he snuck a peek at the clock. "The others will be here soon." He mentally noted. All had agreed to meet Yugi in front of the game shop at nine, that left them the 45 minutes they'd need to get to the airport and time enough to get through security.

"You're right!" Yugi's smiled didn't falter for a moment, despite his fatigue.

"Yugi." Yami spoke up disapprovingly, "You're the one that needs help with your classes so you can't be falling asleep when we get to the island, get some rest and let me take over." Yugi opened his mouth to speak but before he could agree or protest Yami took over and grabbed their belongings, ready to head downstairs.

Smiling he realized that they only really needed to leave an hour early since they'd only have to go through Pegasus's security when they got there. Yami laughed. He'd completely forgotten about the last time Pegasus had provided transportation for them, as it had been quite a long time. He smiled to his grandfather who was making a sale while instructing the boy who was to fill in for him while he was gone. Winking and nodding at him the elder Moutou mouthed to him that he'd be there in a minute.

Yami nodded in response and stepped into the outside world once again, realizing that his friends were coming up the walk. "Hey guys!" He called to them with a short wave in their direction.

"Hey!" They all called back as they sprinted to reach him faster.

"Where's Yugi?" Joey asked as he struggled to get his luggage off of his back and onto the ground.

"He stayed up late packing so I told him he should rest." Yami replied, Tea shook her head at how predictable this day was turning out to be.

"That's Yugi for ya, doing everything 110 percent." She put in with a smile.

"You know what I just thought of a few moments ago." Yami then asked as he heard the door to the game shop open and close from behind them, "We really only have to go through Pegasus's security at the airport so we don't necessarily have to leave so early." He continued.

"Is that so, I can't believe I didn't remember." Mr. Moutou replied as he came to stand beside the group.

"Yeah, we're sorry Mr. Moutou that totally slipped our minds too!" Tea agreed, "Weird huh?"

"Aw man!" Joey whined, "Now we've got all this time to kill in a boring airport with smelly stuck up rich guys."

Everyone laughed briefly, "No this is great you guys, now we can grab a bite to eat before we head out!" Tristan exclaimed, punching the air triumphantly.

"Alright!" Joey shouted excitedly, "I'm starvin'!" He continued.

"When aren't you starving?" Tea asked with a roll of her eyes.

Both Moutou's laughed, "Truth be told I'm famished too." Solomon admitted.

Yami nodded his head; "Yugi and I didn't get much to eat last night either."

Tea smiled as her growling stomach spoke for her, "I guess we were all pretty busy last night." She pointed out as they all grabbed their things and began loading them into Solomon's car.

"One of these days I'm gonna need a bigger car." Solomon observed as he watched the teens stuff their things into the cramped space. "So…where are we going for breakfast?" Everyone brightened and suggested a local diner.

It didn't take them long to arrive and order, quietly, or as quietly as one can when in the company of Joey and Tristan, they talked and reminisced about similar times. Pegasus's castle was bound to have changed since they'd last been inside, and hopefully, the circumstances would remain changed as well. The time flew by and the gang soon found themselves at the airport, looking around for a jet labeled as Industrial Illusions.

"See ya later Gramps!" Joey and Tristan called as Tea and Yami scouted the area to try and find their jet.

"You kids be safe." Was the last thing they heard before they all joined one another to be recruited by a refreshed looking Pegasus.

"Yugi-boy!" He exclaimed at site of spiky-hared teen, "Looking for me?" He asked in a cheery fashion. "Oh wait, I'm afraid I had the wrong impression, aren't I to be helping little Yugi?" He asked.

Yami smiled a bit, "Yes, sorry about that." Quickly he switched places with Yugi who was doing his best to rub the sleep from his eyes.

"Ah, there you are, now then, let's get this show on the road, shall we?" The older of the two gushed as they made their way onto the jet. Once they were seated, Pegasus took his turn to speak once more, "Now, Yugi-boy do tell me all the juicy details of this newest little façade."

Yugi smiled sheepishly, "Well, I last painted a portrait of someone I was close to, that was what he wanted from us at that point. No one did well according to his standards, when we got our papers back I'd gotten a 67 and was the third highest grade in class. The only problem is I'm still failing and all his "critique" said was that my painting wasn't appealing and to try harder if I wanted to have any hope of passing his class." He continued.

"Ugh, that guy!" Joey interjected angrily before Yugi had time to route through his things and pull out the rough sketches for the work in question.

"Indeed." Pegasus concurred, "If you're not willing to be thorough and informative you shouldn't be a teacher." He continued. And especially not an art teacher. He noted mentally.

"Here's the rough sketch." Yugi told his as he handed the man his opened sketchbook.

Pegasus looked at the picture for a long moment, taking in every attribute. He seated himself as Croquet announced they'd soon be ready to take off. Mentally he noted all that was as it should be and all that needed improvement. He was shocked to see something like this coming from Yugi in both an excited and confused way. Never had he thought the boy possessed the talent to draw, he was indeed a natural, but what confused and almost disappointed him was his lack of intensity. The picture just didn't suit Yugi; he was the king of games, the child with more raw passion and drive than Pegasus saw in most grown men. And yet….

"Yugi-boy." He spoke up thoughtfully, "Who is this a portrait of?" He inquired.

"My mom." The boy replied, his friend's faces fell slightly, Yugi's mother had always been a hard subject for him.

"Well you see Yugi boy, though your motions are fluid and your lines and structure are just fine, easily above average, what people look for in an artist and especially a game designer is someone who feels raw emotion, something that is unbridled and free. When I look at this picture Yugi-boy I don't see you. When you draw you have to want it…you have to let it come to you, you can't force yourself to draw something no matter how quickly it needs to be done. Let your mind wander and explore the topic. Who means the most to me? Why does he or she mean the most to me? How can I show others all of this through my work? Break it down step by step, it doesn't matter if you start painting two periods before art class and finish at the last minute as long as everything comes naturally. You can't rush something so personal." He continued.

Yugi nodded in understanding, "It's just hard to do that." He bowed his head, "When I duel I have motive to be great, I have support and I'm only so comfortable with the emotions that overwhelm me then because it comes in the spur of the moment. When I'm at home by myself it's overpowering and no one can take that away from me. It's empowering to know that but it's hard too…."

"Aww Yug, you know you don't have to feel that way."

Joey's right Yugi, we're all here for you. Yami agreed through their mind-link.

"I know you guys are all here for me, I really appreciate that you care so much but these are problems in life that I have to face on my own. Things in the past are what I have to face when I paint and I'm coming to terms with that…its just when it gets to be too much…"

"You want to force it away." All eyes fell on Pegasus, "I know exactly how you feel, its starts out as a passion that brings you joy. Something you love to do more than life itself. And then, in an instant, it becomes that, which channels pain and memories you don't want to relive. When you paint without having a purpose outside of the simple pleasure of it, sure your paintings are just as great as they are when you're inspiration is a bit darker, but it comes easier. The shock of the emotional turmoil you face when you even look at the easel is overwhelming, Why do I want to show people my most private thoughts, how can I come to terms with them on a piece of paper? Believe me I understand, but when people look at work that has the potential to be sorrowful, they can see what you've held back." He explained.

"It's hard for me to think of someone that brings happy memories and paint them as well as I know I can paint someone that makes me a little more emotional. It's like I set myself up to do the best I can but I always end up running away." As the jet became airborne an empathetic smiled graced Pegasus's features.

"It's all part of the passion, I'm afraid." He replied, "It'll become easier with time, until then you just have to know that no one here is going to judge you for what you feel. And because you're here and can submit the works online, you won't have to deal with people too ignorant to understand the stories behind them." Pegasus almost seemed bitter as he added this.

"It is frustrating huh?" Yugi empathized, taking a sip from a glass of wine Pegasus nodded.

"Oh look at me!" He exclaimed as he looked down into the deep red liquid within the glass, "Its okay to yell you know, fine Pegasus drink in front of us without offering anything!"

"Yeah!" Joey exclaimed.

Tea smacked the back of his head in annoyance, "Joey!" She exclaimed shaking her head.

"Croquet, bring our guests some refreshments." He called to his head of security, who

immediately complied. "Anywho, what's been going on in life since we last saw one another, I'm sure we have loads of catching up to do."

As the other three laughed Tea found herself wondering when Pegasus had grown so empathetic and sensitive towards others feelings. She'd never seen him in such a light before, until just a few moments ago a huge part of her still wanted to believe he was a bad person trying to victimize Yugi. She sighed quietly in her seat beside Joey and looked out passed him out the window. She wished she could read people like that, sure she knew when something was wrong with her friends but Pegasus's perception was amazing, it was no wonder, she thought, that he'd been given the millenium eye.

"Hey Tea." Joey spoke up, "Earth to Tea." He said once more as he leaned forward to wave a hand in front of her face.

Turning around and coming back to reality she gave a laugh, "Sorry guys, guess I kinda spaced out." In that split second of unrecognized vulnerability she caught his eye, smiled a bit wider, and anxiously looked down.

"So Joey-boy." He changed the subject to make her a bit more comfortable, realizing that this group of teenagers had certainly come to him for more than a few tutoring sessions, "How's that sister of yours?" He asked.

Joey smiled widely, "Better than ever!" He exclaimed.

"Oh yeah." Tristan added somewhat deviously, "I bet."

"AGH TRISTAN!" Joey shouted thrusting a finger in the boy's direction. "You stop thiinkin' a my sister like that you dog!"

"Oh I'm a dog, I seem to remember a certain someone-"

"Don't even go there!"

"Oh buy why not, I don't think Pegasus heard about it in detail-"

"I'm warning you Tristan!" Everyone laughed in response and Pegasus sipped at his wine once again as Croquet passed around drinks and bags of various assortments of junk food.

"So what's her name."

"Serenity." Both Joey and Tristan stared at one another when they realized they'd spoken at the same time.

"What an interesting name." He replied. "Funny how a name can tell so much about someone." He continued. "What's your mother's name Yugi-boy? If you don't mind me asking that is."

"It's Hitomi." He replied.

Pegasus nodded, "And do you know what that means in Japanese?" He asked. Yugi shook his head no, "Iris." He replied, "Does your mother have nice eyes?" He asked.

Yugi shrugged, "They're violet, like mine." He replied. "I just wish they'd see like mine, a lot of the time I feel like we live in separate worlds." He laughed a bit.

Tea smiled, "I know it doesn't seem like it now but this is kinda cool, do you know what all of our names mean?" She asked.

Pegasus laughed a little, "I can give it my best shot, how's that?" He asked.

Tea smiled, "Great, do Yugi first." She replied.

Pegasus nodded. "Cliché as it may be, Yugi-boy's name means king." He continued.

"That's awesome Yug! Do me next!" Joey exclaimed.

"Joseph means he shall add in Hebrew." Pegasus replied.

"Add what, stupidity?" Tristan put in.

"OH YEAH LETS SEE WHAT YOUR NAME MEANS!" Joey exclaimed pulling his eyelid down with his finger and sticking his tongue out at the brunet.

"His name suits him Joseph don't worry." Pegasus replied as he casually sipped his wine, "Noise maker." He added, and at this Tea and Yugi laughed like they hadn't in months.

"Are you serious?" Tristan asked in outrage.

"Yes, completely." Pegasus replied.

"That's one to tell the ladies." Tea joked as Pegasus moved on.

"Your name, Tea, means Gift of God." He replied, "Which is interesting because it's possibly the only Spanish name with a meaning relatively close to that one."

"Hear that Tea, you're one of a kind." Her friends joked.

"Okay so here's the real test." Tea spoke up deviously, "What's your name mean?" She asked the man in red.

He looked at her a bit taken-a-back, "Mine?" He repeated, all nodded, "It's Latin and means most wonderful." He laughed, "Not very humble is it?"

"Mr. Pegasus." Croquet spoke up as he moved down the isle, "We're approaching the island."

Pegasus smiled, "Wonderful!" He replied clasping his hands together, "This time you'll have a pick of your rooms, try not to trip on the runners in the halls." He replied as he looked around at all of his young guests.

"Awesome!" Joey exclaimed, "I'm getting one with a TV!" He exclaimed.

"I'll finally have some closet space." Tea thought allowed as Yami took over for Yugi.

"When will we have our first lesson Pegasus?" He asked with a smile as the plane landed and they gathered their things.

"Tomorrow morning after everyone's gotten up." He replied, "How's that sound captain?" He asked playfully as he escorted them into his castle.

…

Tea raced to a room with a decent sized closet and began to unpack hastily, sitting down on the bed she let her mind wander back to Yugi's conversation with Pegasus on the plane. He was more reserved than even she had thought at first. She knew which things were painful for him to talk about, and she respected that, but for him to be able to talk to someone that had tried to hurt him more openly than his own friends…was that…normal? Silently she wondered…just how much did Yugi and Pegasus have in common anyway?

…

Joey had found a room with a TV and game system and was hurriedly attempting to cram is clothes into a few dresser drawers. Once he'd accomplished that he tossed his suitcase aside, groaned and stretched. Getting to his feet he turned the TV on, kicked off his sneakers and laid down to relax as they'd all agreed to do when they got inside. They'd meet in the dining room for supper and then hang out later. Without realizing how tired he was, the boy hit the sheets, and almost instantly fell asleep.

…

Tristan chose a room much like Joey's, but with a bathroom connected, though the bedroom wasn't big enough to be considered a master suite, that's what the boy had determinedly referred to it as in his head. Smiling widely as he tossed his duffel bags aside he raced to the bathroom connected to his bedroom and began to draw some water. Life was good.

…

Yami sat unpacked with Yugi sitting beside him on the bed in through their mind link. "What's the matter aibou?"

Yugi only yawned in immediate response, "I'm tired." He told his partner honestly, "And its just that Pegasus understands a lot more of the personal aspects of this than I thought he would, I guess it's kinda nice but it still feels…awkward." The taller of the two knew the feel and sat beside Yugi.

"I know it's strange right now but everything will end up okay in the end, this is the start of a new adventure you know." He continued to encourage the younger, "Aren't you excited." Yugi smiled and nodded.

"Yeah,." He stared through the sliding glass door that connected his room to the outside world. There was a small terrace where he could look out over the ocean if he wanted, but he, like Joey, quickly realized that he needed was some rest. Yami let him sleep for a while, the boy was having a hard day.

…

Pegasus sat in his painting studio, glass of wine set on a stool beside his easel. Slowly he made a full circle around the room, stopping to admire old paintings, which reflected times passed in his life. Slowly he began to collect his thoughts, Yugi was still a boy, still unsure of who he was, surely the boy's art teacher realized that. He couldn't paint with the expertise of someone with years of experience, he was influenced by people's opinions, by the standards of a harsh and unforgiving society. He sighed once and picked up the glass.

The poor boy just needed time to let all of his emotions out and to come to terms with them, he knew from experience locking them away inside would accomplish nothing. Painting was going to an emotionally hard thing for him, but he'd help him through it. His good eye traveled down to the contents of the glass he held.

He'd help him through it…lord did he feel like a father. His eye focused harder on the bitter liquid in which he saw not only himself but his beloved. His hand began to tremble violently as he nodded and accepted the responsibility of righting his wrongs.

There was much more to teach Yugi than that of art and principles, he applied pressure to the glass through his hand. The boy needed guidance just like he had as a child. He had a chance to give someone a chance at a whole new life. His grip tightened further.

A lone tear fell from his eye as he raised his head, turned towards the door with newfound inspiration, and without thinking on it for another minute, crushed the glass in his hand.

The lone fragment that pierced his skin drew little blood, dropping its remains to the ground he left the room and pressed his thumb to the skin of his hand to slow the bleeding. This was a new chance at a new way of life.

With his head held high and his spirits lifted he retreated to his bedroom to see what of his old art books he could dig up and dust off. Minutes upon entering, he realized someone was standing outside the door, he turned to face the person who leaned against the wall outside his room and quietly ushered them in.

A mess of brown hair fell into her face as she entered the room, "Just so you know…Yugi's mom…" She paused, unsure of how to continue, "Can I come in?" She asked.

He nodded, "Of course."

Shutting the door she moved to sit on the bed and started her explanation anew.

Just like that, a new saga began.

AN: Decided Pairings: Crownshipping, Puzzleshipping PegasusTea and YamiYugi