A/N: Ahhh, it's been a busy week. Week? When's the last time I updated this? I can't remember, and I'm too lazy to look. XD So this chapter's relatively short; I was debating on whether or not I should post it now or wait and mesh it with the next chapter. But since the next chapter's going to jump and take place a couple of months after this one, I figured oh what the hey, better just post this now. Oh, and I thought I'd go ahead and warn you now: the ending of this story is still quite a ways away, (this is the half-way mark) but it's not going to be pretty. Very, very, bittersweet…

WARNINGS: YxYY, Mpreg, Language, Mature Themes

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or any of the wonderful characters involved in this fic.

Yugi had a rough night.

Yami couldn't help but sigh as he glanced at the small boy sitting solemnly at the kitchen table desperately trying to keep his head up and his eyes focused despite his exhaustion. His color was slightly off, and his spiky tri-colored hair stood in total disarray. Yugi had had another bout of sickness this morning, but this time he had refused to go back to sleep, claiming he wanted nothing more than to talk his current situation through with his grandfather. So despite it being merely seven fifteen in the morning, all three of them sat around the table; mugs of hot chocolate in Yugi's and Solomon's hands. They now sat quietly; Yugi glancing up at his grandfather occasionally, Yami firmly upright in his seat.

"So what are you thinking Yugi?" Solomon asked, the toll of the past day's event evident in his weak, strained voice.

Yugi contemplated for a bit behind his half-lidded eyes. "You know, it's funny. I've always considered myself a pro-life person, and yet when I actually got put into the situation, the first thing that came to mind was abortion. I don't know where I stand anymore," he whispered, almost as if he were saying it to himself. "But no, I've decided I don't want that. I can't."

Solomon let out a small sigh of relief, raising Yugi's spirits somewhat. "Well good, because my great-grandchild deserves a chance at life even if it was caused by two reckless teenagers." Yugi winced at the last words. "And you?" his grandfather asked, turning and eyeing Yami wearily. "You're okay with that?"

"Of course," Yami said, a slight proud edge apparent in his voice.

"Well, I guess that settles it. I'll start helping you look into couples for adoption and-"

"Actually," Yami said, glancing over at the small boy next to him who suddenly focused hard on the tablecloth, making sure he heard Yami's next words. "If it were up to me, I'd like to keep the baby."

Both Yugi and Solomon's eyes shot open, Yugi's holding clear betrayal as he turned to look over to the taller boy. He sat with his mouth slightly open for a few seconds, then finally spoke. "Well, it's not entirely up to you, and I disagree. Yami, don't you want this baby to have a stable life? How much can we truly provide for him or her at this point? You know, grandpa's right, I'm just a kid: I don't know anything about raising a child, and neither do you for that matter. I can't do this…"

"I could get a job, a real one, and Yugi, we can do this. It won't be easy I assure you, but I know that if it's something we really want, it is indeed possible," he said softly, placing his hand on top of Yugi's and gently caressing it. "I for one don't want my child walking around with complete strangers. It's our baby Yugi; it should remain with us. I don't think you're-"

"Oh," Yugi said, hurriedly yanking his hand away from Yami and putting it under the table. "You think I wantto give him or her away? I'd like to keep it as much as you would Yami, but I, but we-"

Solomon sighed. "Yami, there are others out there who are definitely more suited for this…and it would truly be a gift for them…"

"This is a gift to us as well! Why can't you two see that?" Yami protested, his hands now tightly gripping the edge of the table.

"Yami please, don't be difficult," Yugi started as he looked down at the table. "I'm not ready for this; we won't be ready for this. We've only got less than eight months!"

"And in those eight months, I'm telling you Yugi, you will grow very attached to that child. To give it up would destroy you…I don't want to see you cry when you have to surrender the baby. I don't want to see you hurt. Is that so wrong?"

Yugiquickly looked back up at him, frozen for a few seconds, and Yami smiled inwardly as he saw something spark behind Yugi's eyes before the boy turned away, his small hand gently touching his stomach.

"B-but we can't be selfish Yami…"

Yami kept his gaze on Yugi, smiling to himself as he watched the boy's face; Yugi was thinking it over, and that was a good sign.

"I'm just asking for both of you to give me some time. I'll show you I can provide for us Yugi, for all of us. I absolutely refuse to let our family be broken, and that's where I stand." At his last comment, Yugilooked back up and straight into Yami's eyes, having to force himself not to nod for Grandpa's sake. His hand remained on his stomach as he looked cautiously over to Solomon, who gave another heavy sigh. "You may have Yugi over here convinced, but I'm not so sure it'll be that easy. You know, you're not exactly up to date with all the modern advances Yami…"

"I'll find a way."

"Well, if you can get a sturdy, well-paying job sometime soon, I'll reconsider. However, in the meantime, I will be looking for adoption families, and I still don't think either of you realize what you are in for. Yami, you might as well start looking now. Yugi, go get the paper outside, he can start there."

Yugi frowned at Yami, clearly fearing leaving him alone with his grandfather, but the aged man kept motioning for Yugi to leave until the two were left alone in the tense kitchen. Both remained silent for a moment until Solomon finally leaned forward, remorse written all over his violet eyes.

"You've got a bruise there, son," he said pointing to Yami's slightly purple cheek. "Oh Yami, I'm so sorry…I was just so upset last night. I love Yugi more than anything, and to see him put in any sort of danger or hurt at all, I just, I can't handle it. I'm sure you know the feeling; the kid's a darn trouble magnet. How many times has he almost died?" Solomon asked with a wince. Yami thought a moment, then opened his mouth to speak. "Err, nevermind, don't answer that. But Yugi's been through so much and deserves so much, more than I can possibly give him…it's just taken me so long to realize that maybe Yami, maybe he's got something good…in you."

Yami's eyes slowly widened at the statement.

"I'll tell you right now, my first instinct last night was to throw you out of here. But Yami, you're practically family now. I love you, and I care for you, and I know you love my grandson too, and," he sighed. "And I need you to be with him, to stick with him. I'm not going to be around much longer Yami, I can feel it. I just want to make sure that Yugi's taken care of. Regardless of whether or not you keep the baby," he said as a his eyes slowly brimmed with tears."I just want to know that you'll always be there for him, because I...cannot."

Yami immediately reached out for Yugi's grandfather, laying his hand upon the others'.

"Yugi is my life now, Solomon. He always will be. I promise you, no matter what happens, he will always come first. I promise you that.''

Solomon hastily wiped his first tear away, smiling at Yamiin return. They sat silently, until they heard an awful lot of excited chatter and Yugi's terror-filled scream of Yami's name come from outside. Both of their eyes snapped open and Yamiimmediately shot up and ran to the front door, Solomon following as fast as he could behind.

They were swarmed. At least a dozen different reporters and camera crews crowded around Yugi, throwing microphones in his face as the poor boy struggled to turn back to the house. Yami growled and mentally slapped himself for forgetting about the press, before pushing himself into the circle they had formed around the tiny boy and pulling him out of it.

"Mr. Muto! Mr. Muto, over here!!"

"What do you want it to be? Boy or girl?"

"Will you still be dueling, Yugi?"

"How do you feel about being the world's first pregnant man?"

Grandpa left the house mere seconds later, armed with a broom and began swatting it around relentlessly. Yami and Yugi finally made it safely back inside, but not before several pictures were snapped of the two and Yugi's broom-wielding grandpa.

Once inside, Yami kissed the trembling, wide-eyed boy's forehead in apology, and the two waited until Solomon slammed the front door shut.

"I'm so sorry, Yugi. This is ridiculous," the old man muttered. "I'm calling Kaiba. I want these people off of my property for good," he said before throwing his trusty broom down and rushing to the kitchen.

"Yugi, are you alright?"

"Y-yeah. Just a little shaken. No more damn surprises! They're not good for me…" he said as he gave a soft groan and held his stomach. Seconds later he burst out laughing though, much to Yami's surprise.

"I wouldn't doubt it if Grandpa's on the front page tomorrow. I can see it now, "CRAZY SENILE OLD FOOL WHACKS WITH BROOM."

Yami chuckled. "Well, at least the Game Shop will be getting a little attention."

Yugi smiled, then dropped it. "They're going to be following me everywhere from now on, Yami…I'm scared."

"I won't let them Yugi. They will not come near you anymore."

"Yugi?" Grandpa called from the kitchen.

"Yeah?"

"You might want to see this."

Yugi looked up at Yami before the two made their way into the living room, and watched as Solomon pointed to the TV from his spot in the kitchen; his ear to the telephone as he forcefully punched numbers on the receiver. A photo of Yugiflashed by on the screen, and Yugi immediately groaned, throwing his face in his hands.

"Domino's very own champion duelist Yugi Muto is pregnant! We can confirm that he is dating fellow duelist Yami Atemu, who we've been told is the father as well. Many are following the story-"

"Why grandpa, WHY?!?!" Yugi muttered, his weak voice muffled by his hands.

Solomon made a face and quickly shook his head, throwing the remote to Yami in the next room and motioning for him to change it to the next station. "Sorry, must have hit a button. Channel Six, Yami, Channel Six."

"The Main Domino Library branch is no more. Several were injured and killed in this morning's freak fire accident. Authorities believe this to be a case of arson, but there is no word as to if this is tied with the Museum that burnt last month. For more news-"

Both Yugi and Yami stood rooted to floor, eyes wide as they continued to watch.

"No way…" Yugi whispered. "Two buildings in two months? That's just-that's not right. Somebody's gotta be behind it. Yami, we gotta, we gotta-unnh," Yugi groaned as he held his stomach once more. Yami sighed and planted himself on the couch, pulling Yugi into his lap as he wrapped his arms tightly around the slightly struggling boy.

"Yugi, this is NOT the time to be thinking, "Save the world.""

Yugi turned and glared at him, but finally gave up and leaned back against him. As the two sat they realized the true predicament they faced; not only were they pregnant, but they were also imprisoned in their own home for the time being. A few bored hours ticked byuntil the phone suddenly rang, and Yugi ran eagerly into the shop portion of the house; thankful for something else to do since trying to teach Yami how to play the Wii was like trying to get a cat to clap his hands together on command. He just didn't get it. They would have to try again some other time. Yugi finally picked the phone up and took a deep breath to give a hello, only to practicallyhavehis ear blasted off by the voice on the other end.

"YUG! You are all over the news buddy-"

"Joey, I know. Calm down, I know…"

"You know it's only a matter of time before they ask you to go on Oprah or something."

Yami was very suddenly in the room, eyes wide in a manic excitement as Yugi sighed heavily, pushing the older boy away from him as he desperately tried to pry the phone from his hands. "No Yami, we are not going on Oprah…I don't-I don't care how bad you want to meet her, I refuse to interview about this."

Joey was cracking up on the other end of the line. "Oh yeah, and Serenity called, she says congratulations."

Yugi sighed. "Tell her I said thanks."

"It's gonna be okay Yug. It might seem crazy right now, but soon this'll blow over and the world will move onto the next thing. You'll see."

"I hope so Joey, I sure hope so."

"I'll go visit ya tomorrow, okay Yug? I gotta head out."

"Okay, see you Joey."

"Later."

Yugihung up and turned to Yami, who was eyeing him with a pained expression. "Why can't the press just leave me alone? I don't want random people involved in my life, it's my business."

"It's going to be like that from now on until the baby's born Yugi, and possibly even after that. But I told you before, they will not get near you ever again. I will not allow it."

Yugi smiled warmly at the taller boy, and a slight blush spread across his cheeks. "I love you, do you know that?"

Yami nodded before wrapping his arms around the boy, kissing him fiercely; the first chance he had really got since this whole thing began. As he broke apart to take a much-needed breath, he chuckled at how Solomon's eye twitched when he walked into the room and quickly turned back out.

Their phone rang off the hook the entire rest of the day. People Yugi barely knew at school called in giving their well-wishes, and some not-so-well-wishes, and several random others called leaving nasty death threats much to Yami's horror and frustration. It wasn't natural, they said. It was wrong. Yugi had to be some kind of demon freak. Some sort of abonimation.

"People always fear what's different," Yugi said later. "They always do."

Hello Diary,

Well, I'm in a bit of a pickle. It seems that the story did leak, and now I wonder if things will ever go back to normal. Pfft, normal. When has my life ever been normal?

You know, the more I think about it, the more I'm liking the idea of keeping this baby. We can start our own family. Yes things will be hectic and insane, and my life will be put on hold, but all I really wanted was the game shop and as long as I can have Yami by my side, I'll be happy. Grandpa and I talked today; he apologized and said that if I keep myself safe and out of trouble, I can still have the shop when he retires. I was thrilled of course. I cried. Again. Haha, but his whole out of trouble thing kinda confused me. I mean I'm already pregnant. How much more trouble can I get into? Ahh, and I am hating this whole morning sickness shindig. It's driving me insane!

Until tomorrow,

Yugi Muto

Yugi moaned and glanced over at the clock on Yami's nightstand. 3:56 in the morning. He bit his lip and turned over to his companion, watching for a minute as Yami's chest rose and fell. He grew mesmerized, and caressed Yami's cheek lightly before leaning down to place a light kiss on his lips. Yugi turned back over, and tried to force himself to go back to sleep, but it was no use. Reluctantly he turned back around to face the Egyptian and lightly shook him.

"Yami," he whispered. "Yami!"

Yami's eyes fluttered open, and after he focused on figure in front of him, he immediately shot up in the bed.

"Yugi! What's the matter, what's wrong?" he quickly demanded.

"Shhh-nothing's wrong, it's just-"

"What is it? Are you feeling sick again?" Yami hopped over Yugi and got off the bed, pulling Yugi's arm up until the boy was up as well.

"No, actually, I'm just...well, hungry."

Yami's eyes widened for a moment, then he smiled sheepishly, closing his eyes.

"Oh. Well, let's head downstairs-"

Yugi's large eyes raised to the ceiling as he slightly swayed. "Well, the thing is…you see, I'm insanely craving ice cream right now. Bad. And we don't have any."

Yami chuckled, massaging his tired face. "I see. But I don't think anything is open right now Yugi. Can't you wait a few more hours?"

"Yeah," Yugi said quickly shaking his head, a little too enthusiastically, as if he were trying to convince himself. Then his stomach growled loudly, causing his smile to fall and his nodding to fade. "Yeah, no…"

Yami laughed again. "It starts. I heard about these cravings on Oprah. Actually, I believe the corner store is open twenty four hours, and I'm fairly certain they carry ice cream."

Yugi started pulling on one of Yami's jackets until Yami stopped him.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"With you!" Yugi said.

"No, no, no, no, no, you're staying here. I'll go get it. I don't want you outside at this time of night."

Yugi opened his mouth to protest but it was clear Yami had already won the argument, and he carried his defeated self back over to the bed. "Be careful, please," Yugi whispered. The taller boy nodded and carefully made his way downstairs. Yami yawned as he left the game shop, stuffing his hands in his jacket pocket as he made his way down the street. It started, indeed.

Several minutes later he stood at the checkout, carton of mint chocolate chip ice cream in hand, glaring at the male cashier who had recognized him and burst into laughter.

"So you're the guy who knocked up little Yugi Muto!"

Yami immediately growled, shoving a few dollars into the chubby brunette's hand, before turning away, not even bothering to get his change.

The next night went the same. Only Yugi seemed to be craving something different every single time, which they had conveniently run out of.

And the next night.

And the next night.

And the next night.

By the end of the week, Yami was downright exhausted, but once again he got up, muttering to himself as he pulled on his jacket. Not only was this getting slightly out of hand, it was also getting expensive. He silently hoped that this was just a passing phase and that Yugi would soon recover. He quietly snuck out of the Game Shop, and once again proceeded down the street, quietly rambling the entire way there. One thing was for certain: the next few months were going to be loooooong ones. Long ones, indeed.