Author's Rant: Got this out before the Tropical Storm arrived. It's late. Please excuse the mistakes. Enjoy the next chapter!
Corrections made: Thanks to the sweet Ocena Strex.
Important News: Everyone, I truly apologize for reloading the same chapter, but I simply had to share this information with you all at once. Someone has decided to make a doujinshi of Fragile. Her name is sdcu and she has a deviantart profile under the same name. I'm truly honored that she has decided to use her talents to bring this story to life. Please show her support by commenting or encouraging her to give this a go. If anyone else would like to do fanart of Fragile, I'll put my consent here in this chapter. All I ask is that you let me know so that I may place the link on my profile for everyone to see. Thank you.
Agendas
This scene was an all too familiar reminder to Yami about the times he'd brought young men here, holding their heads beneath the surging waves, struggling and scratched at his arm to get free. If they weren't suffocating from the salty grim washing over their terrified faces, they for damn sure couldn't breathe around the cocked handgun he'd have stuffed in their mouths. It would always play out that way. He'd give them the option of drowning peacefully or dying by a gunshot to the head and pray to your God that you die instantly.
Yeah, he knew this pier. It brought back a bunch of memories. Pier forty-seven was on the edge of blue blood turf. He'd taken a risk venturing out this far alone with nothing but a switchblade tucked in the pocket of his light blue Diesel Larkee Jeans. Yami was wearing a grey and black splashed two-button Hurley t-shirt, sleeves three quarters down his arms. He wasn't trying to hide the fact he was a red blood. Why would he when every one of his enemies knew his face on sight. Atem's runners were trained to shoot any Red Eyes as soon as look at them, just as Yami's were trained to do the same.
They never came out this far though. Yami knew their schedule, knew their habits, and knew their ways of thinking. He rubbed along his sleeved arms, to ward off the subtle chill yielding from the dying waves. Up here, on the edge of the wooden pier, molded and aged from the sea's sodium chloride, Yami found a peace he hadn't experienced in a very long time.
That's why this was the perfect place to call the meeting between himself, Atem and Yugi. It was right here on the edge of this pier Yami learned about compassion from another human being. He and Heba shared their first kiss here. He and Atem whispered their first I love you's, met up here at the end of a successful mission and for Yami—he chuckled—this was where Atem would expose a part of himself that he hardly revealed to his family. No one would ever believe it if Yami told them how affectionate Atem could be with a little urging in the right places. Especially when they were alone, he was an entirely different person.
Yami sighed, lowering his eyes over the reflective black waters, inhaling the scent of sand, oil from the factories off shore and the sound of spaced splashing. The wind ruffled through his hair, and he ran his hand over the untamable spikes to manage them in some kind of style. He pulled out his cell and checked the time.
11:28 p.m.
He'd texted Atem about forty minutes ago and Yugi twenty minutes before that. Neither were expected to arrive until eleven-thirty. Yami just wanted to savor the blessings of silence before opening the gateway into this new world. Once upon a time, the end of something good, evolved into events of something bad. Now, it could be different. The pier will be the beginning to a new thing, a change in who he was and the end to an unnecessary evil.
No sooner had he reached inside his pocket to fish for a rolled blunt, he heard the soft crunch of sand buckling under the weight of a shadowy figure. That figure approached from the opposite end of the pier line and started jogging toward him. Yami's muscles tensed on impulse, thumb discreetly pressing the release on his switchblade. He twisted to his side, eyes sharp.
Yugi slowed his stride upon seeing him. Yami removed his hand, no longer in attack mode.
The teenager paused three feet away, smiling, head tilted as if waiting for permission to approach. He was wearing a bright blue pullover, and grey sweatpants, hanging a little loose on his hips. His black and white Puma shoes shuffled over each other anxiously.
"Yami," Yugi greeted breathlessly, chest heaving. He must've ran all the way from his house to the pier.
For long moments, it didn't seem as though Yami would bother with replying, as he looked Yugi over from head to toe. Yugi steeled himself under the stormy scrutiny, arms by his sides and smile a little smaller.
Yami spent more moments just studying Yugi some more before he held out his hand, the left side of his face turned up. A large sigh left Yugi's chest as he hurried up to take the hovering hand in his and stood by Yami's side. He cozied up under Yami's arm and nuzzled his chest against the cotton texture of his clothes, though the soothing body heat was what Yugi yearned for.
"I wasn't expecting to see you so soon," Yugi's hushed voice said over the waves.
"Nor was I. I have you to thank for that. Your little inspirational speech had a hand in making my decision."
Yugi's cheeks warmed when Yami's hand squeezed his. "I hadn't said it just to make you decide."
The gang leader chuckled. "You need to remember that no one can make me do anything. I do as I damn well please, so consider this a blessing in disguise if you must. I said you had a hand in encouraging me to go this route."
"And what route is that?" Yugi seemed afraid to ask, not wanting to get his hopes up.
"You'll see. For now," Yami eyes immediately went to Yugi's lips, the fire in his gaze scathing like spits of fire, "I believe you owe me a better greeting then my name." His voice was a low vibration, careening in Yugi's chest. The impact was as shocking as the way Yami's red eyes overcast into a more sinister crimson.
A flock of butterflies crowded in Yugi's windpipe as his head leaned back to accommodate Yami's looming height. He seemed so much taller this close. The man twisted around fully, his face dipping a few inches away before lifting his hand and running the thumb down the side of Yugi's cheek. He didn't kiss Yugi right away the way the teen had been expecting. It was somewhat frightening how intensely he stared into Yugi's eyes, lips so close and the warmth of his breath fanning over Yugi's face.
"I can feel your heart beatin'," Yami whispered, lips grazing Yugi's mouth as he spoke. "Is that what I do to you?"
Yugi couldn't have spoken if he wanted too. He could afford a slow nod and a baffled gasp when he discovered the ball of Yami's knee was creeping between his thighs. His heartbeat jumped into overdrive. His purples turned ablaze.
It was Yami's undoing, those expressive eyes. Yami connected their lips for a brief taste, then another pressing harder and pulling away as if testing. Yugi's breathing picked up, his skin tingled and before he had a moment to collect his wits, Yami's mouth descended upon his again, without the desire to pull away. Yugi's fingers gripped into Yami's shirt and held on for dear life while Yami's hands automatically went to Yugi's sides and tenderly settling over the teen's hips, plunging his tongue through the seam of Yugi's lips. Aggressive swipes of his tongue ordered for submission, fingertips clutching in through the thick cottony pants as if desperate to feel raw skin. Yami asserted the line of his lean body against Yugi's frame as if to trying to force the fit of a puzzle piece. Yugi's eyes were squeezed tight from the roar of blood traveling to his brain and the devouring pleasure snaking up his legs and arms.
He'd never felt so alive. Yami nibbled his bottom lip, tugging the swollen flesh between his teeth and expertly plundering Yugi's, hands diving around to curl under his ass, pressing him closer. Yugi felt the heavy rod of muscle hot grow against his crotch. Yugi let his fingers touch every straight, hard line of muscle through Yami's thin shirt, secret delight finding purchase in his bloodstream.
Yugi couldn't get enough. He reached up and held Yami's face in place, dragging the kiss to a screeching slowness. Their heads bobbed from side to side, liquid passion scorching their tongues as they mingled in a noisy twirl of pink. Yugi pulled away first to litter wet, open mouth kisses along the curve of Yami's jaw. Tremors ping-ponged around in his belly, like loose change. The heat between their bodies was hot enough to spontaneously combust them on the spot. Yami's fingers crept their way down to the central core of Yugi's body heat and cupped his heavy dick in his palm.
Every fiber of Yugi's body screamed. He moaned and pressed into the open hand, massaging himself into a thicker erection. Their passionate oasis was suddenly veiled in a cloak of bright lights. Yami quickly snapped his eyes open, on full alert. Yugi barely registered the change in atmosphere until he felt Yami's muscles tense beneath his touch and pulled away to see what was wrong.
There were two mercury blue high beams highlighting the pier like a runway carpet. Yugi eased away—Yami tugged him close to his chest, arm draped protectively around the teen's shoulders. Yugi did what he could to shield his eyes from the overwhelming brightness with the arm that wasn't locked in Yami's grip. The lights dimmed, shrouding the pier in darkness once more.
Yugi didn't recognize the car at first. The make, model and color were disguised in the shadows. The sound of a door opening and closing echoed loud enough as did the approach of sizable footsteps landing on the pier. The pace was casual, languid, not in a hurry at all.
Yugi's expression of concern morphed to surprise when the shadows peeled away to betray Atem's dark complexion and—Yugi frowned. Something wasn't right. He laid his hand on Yami's chest and pushed away. Yami still refused to let him go. Yugi consented defeat and cleared his throat.
"Atem?" Yugi blinked at the man and turned to Yami. "You called him here?"
"He did."
The older man stopped a foot away, hands in the pockets of some worn Levi jeans and shirt torn and stretched around the collar. That's when Yugi was able to take in Atem's appearance. He looked all kinds of fucked up. The under part of his eye was swollen, his chin was cut and bleeding and his hair looked like it'd went head to head with an electric socket.
"Sup' ladies," Atem grinned, winching when the effort caused the pull of achy face muscles.
Yugi's whole expression changed to worry as he squirmed loose and came up to Atem, examining his face closer. "Oh God, look at your face. You're a mess. What happened?"
"Nothin'," Atem batted at Yugi's wandering hands. "Stop-stop, I'm cool. Just got into a scrap."
"This looks like more than a scrap," Yugi argued, reaching up to feel the knots beneath Atem's smooth skin. "What'd you do, run through a meat grinder?"
Atem eyebrows knitted together. "I don't look that bad." Atem's autumn eyes looked over Yugi's head to the looming figure in the background watching the display from afar. Atem bumped his chin at Yami in greeting. "Young Blood."
Yami returned the gesture. "Atem."
Yugi's thumbs were framed on the corners of Atem's lips when he suddenly realized something. He frowned up at Atem's face. "Is everything alright with Kisara?"
"Yeah, she's fine. I told ya, it's nothing. Would you stop?" Atem slapped Yugi's hands away again, rolling his eyes agitated. "I said I'm fine."
Yugi retracted his hands, folding them across his chest an unimpressed look on his face. "You don't look fine to me. You look like you got curb stomped. You weren't jumped were you?"
"Pfft, please," snorted Atem. "If anyone dared something so stupid, they'd be oozin'."
"That's because it wasn't just anyone who kicked his ass," Yami injected, sauntered up to join them. Yami paused, scowling and inspecting the damage done to Atem's face. He nodded a short moment later. "Seth really laid it on you, huh?" To prove his point, Yami's finger shot out to poke Atem's right pectoral.
His theory was proven correct when Atem's chest muscles bunched in that one spot as if to suppress the pain. "Anyway, now that we got that bit cleared up, start talkin' Yami." All joking aside, Atem straightened up, carefully easing Yugi to the side. "What'd you want?"
Yugi blinked expectedly at Yami as well. He knew the grist of what the subject of the talk was on, but hearing it from the main person would solidify the truth. He had a feeling that Yami preferred to let silence be his opening before responding to a question, but the three of them stood there a minute or more, watching and sharing careful looks.
Yami suddenly smirked and pivoted around. He stayed that way and glanced over his shoulder, smirk in full effect. Yugi didn't understand what was going on. Not until he heard a sharp inhale by his temple, where Atem's mouth was and the way his eyes were tearing into Yami's back as if he'd just stripped naked.
"Atem?" Yugi grabbed Atem's hand between his smaller ones. "You OK?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm good." Atem subconsciously wove his fingers between Yugi's for the support and the warmth they eluded. "I'm more than OK," he mumbled. He angled his head back to Yami as a slow grin peeled over his face. "So, what you tryin' to say?"
Yami snorted quietly. "What do you think?"
"Is this your tactful way of saying you wanna try that change?" Atem's tone was serious as was the way his smile shrunk. "I'm being serious. All jokes aside, I've been telling you for a while how I feel. When we start, we won't stop." Atem started walking forward, keeping a firm grasp of Yugi as he strolled. He reached Yami's back, close enough to let the man feel the natural heat of his body and far enough to allow Yami his final chance to escape. "I mean that shit, Yami. It's gonna be about me, you," Atem squeezed Yugi to his side, "and him. You ready for that?"
Yami said nothing, did nothing. His smirk was still there flashing Atem tauntingly unfazed by the dangerous hum in his voice. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. His right foot reared back a step. The left foot followed suit, easing Yami's back to Atem's chest. He stretched out his hand and snagged Yugi's in his grasp.
Yami leaned into them both, content and sure. "I mean that shit too."
Yugi came around and wrapped his arms around Yami's waist, nuzzling his face into the center of his chest. "You won't regret this, Yami. I swear. You'll be as happy as you used to be, never alone. We'll be there." Yugi waved his hand out and chuckled when Atem took it. "No matter what, you'll be able to count on us."
"I'm sayin' this shit to you too Yugi."
Yugi's face went slack before turning up at Atem befuddled by the hard tone in his voice. His hand was around Yugi's neck in a second, not squeezing tight, but not without its dangerous intentions. Yugi lightly clawed at the constricting appendage, wondering here the sudden assault came from.
"Atem, what are you doi—"
"You're mine and ours now, Yugi." Atem said dangerously quiet and free of slang. "Any relationship with me is a done deal. We're not sharing you and if you ever think of leaving, there will be consequences to pay. That's why you better think fast about what you're getting into."
Yugi clamped his hands around Atem's wrist. "I wouldn't want to leave," he answered truthfully. "I want to stay with you," he looked at Yami, "and you. I've gone through so much with you, why go now?" he said calmly, unhooking the fingers around his throat.
Atem reluctantly let his hand dangle on Yugi's shoulder. "I'm not tryin' to get hurt again either."
"You won't. To either of you." Yugi brought Atem's palm to his mouth and pressed his mouth to the top. He looked up so full of bright promise. "I only want to be there, just as I want the same from you?" The lingering question didn't hang there for long.
Atem pulled him against his chest hard. "No doubt," he nuzzled his nose into Yugi's temple and inhaled the fresh young scent. It put him back into that moment when he had a taste of this young man a while back. That'd been an exceptionally wonderful evening. This time, he wanted to seal their compromise with something to guarantee a heated agreement.
"Let's try this again, yeah?" Atem made eye contact with Yami a split second before leveling his intoxicating leer on Yugi. The teen gulped, suddenly feeling guilty as he peered in Yami's direction, unsure of the reaction to this. He didn't seem negatively affected by the current circumstances. There wasn't a hidden darkness in his eyes as he waited, not looking at one of them, but both at once.
Was it all right to do this? Yugi wondered. Now that the opportunity was lain bare, hesitation started rearing its ugly head.
"Don't get scared now," Atem whispered heatedly. "This was what you wanted."
"Yeah, but," Yugi looked to the side. "It's strange. I feel, maybe, like I'm giving you permission to take turns with me."
Atem sighed through his nostrils, listing his head to the side. "Look at me." When Yugi did, he was facing the eyes of someone feared by all, respected by many. "If all I wanted to do was hit this," he poked Yugi's chest hard, "I would've had it. The same with Yami. Give us some credit. You've been around us all this time. You'd think you would've learned something about how we take care of ours."
Ours. Theirs.
"He's nervous," Yami murmured. "Come here." He bunched his fingers in Yugi's collar and pulled him to his side. "Kiss me."
Yugi blinked owlishly, looking at Yami as if he grew an extra eye, and then turned worriedly at Atem.
"Kiss me," Yami repeated a little heatedly. He pinched Yugi's chin, using a little strength to force his eyes away from Atem's hard glare. Yugi didn't close his eyes when Yami kissed him. He whimpered, fearful, nervous, alert, and worried. His heart palpitated at Mach ten speeds. Flashes of gunfire echoed in his mind. There was anger, betrayal and shouts of rage. Yugi's chest rose and fell faster and faster. He didn't want to get hurt again.
"Ah, OK," he heard Atem grumble from the side. "He's buggin' from the last time we were like this."
Yami separated from the kiss with hooded eyes. "That's it isn't it?"
Yugi calmed his labored breathing to swallow the clot of saliva under his tongue and nodded, whispering, "I keep thinking about it." He continued to let Yami caress his cheek, rubbing his calloused thumb in mini circles.
Atem took a step around and back until he was standing right behind Yugi's back and clapped his hands on his shoulders. Yugi tensed as if he was struck by lightning.
"Unless I give you a reason to be scared of me," Atem started slow and precise in Yugi's ear, "you don't need to worry about me or him hurting you. Understand?" Atem hummed in Yugi's ear, sending vibrations down Yugi's spine. He trembled. Atem placed his hand under Yugi's chin and turned him around to face his waiting lips. "Now, quit fuckin' with me Young Buck and gimme some suga'."
Yugi felt this subtle spell sprinkle over his entire body. Like magic, he felt himself becoming hypnotized by Atem's alluring wine-warm gaze. Yugi closed his eyes and leaned up. Atem nuzzled his mouth over Yugi's in gradual massaging motions, simply rubbing moist skin to moist skin. Then he pressed down firmly. Yugi's taste buds exploded with velocity. He angled his head back on Atem's shoulder and relaxed into his chest, moaning. Atem's hand fell over his stomach, long digits spraying over his firm abdominals, feeling cut lines and smooth contours.
Yugi's mind became blurry, lost in a lazy drift. The pad of his tongue became a rolling toy as Atem stuck his longer one in and began to twist and coil inside as if rearranging everything to accommodate him. Knowing Yami was standing there watching it all unfold should've put Yugi's mortalities at the front of his beliefs, but it seemed to work the total opposite effect. It was a major turn on.
"See, that's better," Atem murmured, peppering kisses and licks on the corner of Yugi's lips. Smirking, he rubbed his thumb over the plump of Yugi's lips and nosed the roaming blush line on the teen's cheeks. "Just like I remember. Nice and sweet."
Yugi mistily averted his eyes to the ocean. "Dummy," he mumbled. He immediately reached out for Yami and brought him forth. "It's your turn now."
Yami looked at Atem. Atem looked at Yami. Yugi on the other hand became the gluing bit to their mending bridge and brought their heads in the center, cupping his own over theirs, looking between them.
"If you can stand to see me kiss you or him, I want you two to feel the way I feel." He squeezed their hands. "You two had a connection that started way before me. I don't know about you, but I'd love to see if there's a spark left."
Atem's mouth turned down on the edges. "Well, Young Blood," the older man challenged, glaring at him patiently. "Is there a spark left?"
Yami's expression tightened, lips balled. He suddenly chuckled and gazed up through his lashes, a sickly lust marring his red eyes even darker. ". . . Come find out." His baritone voice dared.
That was all the invitation Atem needed. It'd come down to this moment. He licked his lips, face dissolving the space between them in a gradual decline. Yami forced his heart to calm its sudden acceleration and eased his mind's distinct desire to defend. There wouldn't be a need for that now. He'd said he was going to try and he was always a man of his word. By the slowest degrees, felt the cool collision of Atem's mouth press against his.
Lips from years ago have since spread, the taste more potent with sticky Purp and the scent of incense. Explosions erupted like fireworks. Yami's stomach performed flip-flops against his will and damn it to hell, there was nothing he could do to cease the longing moan from rumbling in his throat. The kiss was not hurried as if Atem wanted to take his time getting reacquainted with the taste of Yami's mouth, the warm flavorful moisture of it and the feel of his teeth as they nipped at his mouth in quick barely-there darts between kisses. It was as if he wanted more of Yami than a mere kiss could provide. As if he were hungry for him.
Yami noted absently that Atem's arm was wrapping around his waist, pulling him flush against his chest. Leisurely they moved in sync, Yami remembering way back when how coordinated they were with turning their heads, kneading their lips apart with delicate flicks of their tongue before they'd become devouring sweeps. Yami's hands laid in the crook of Atem's elbows, as a great sigh rushed through his nose. It'd been so damn long and still the spark was there. The kiss was growing hotter. Yami's skin burned and so did his dick.
Yugi's amusing sounds were what triggered the two into realizing they'd taken it farther than expected. In a few long seconds, Atem delivered one final wet caress of his lips before parting ways. His smirk spoke of a satisfied man ready to take on anything.
"Damn," he grunted, looking Yami over. "You still got it."
Yami chortled softly with a wolfish grin.
"I'm happy for you two."
The older men swiveled their heads to the side to face their third party. Yugi had his arms folded and a far off expression on his face. He pulled a face when they continued to stare and so he explained.
"I mean, it was obvious that you belong together, despite your differences. I guess it was bound to happen and . . ." Yugi kicked at a loose nail on the wooden deck. Goodness, what kind of point was he trying to make? All of this rambling only earning him some confused frowns. "Sorry."
"Feeling left out are you?" Yami deduced on his own.
Yugi's face flushed a rosy scarlet as he stubbornly glared down at the edge of the pier, not denying or confirming the claim.
"Awww, somebody's pouty," Atem teased. "Come here, lemme give you a hug."
Yugi growled and gave them his back. "I'm not jealous. I hate feeling selfish because I know you two share something I can never understand. I just don't wanna agree to something where I'm always the third wheel. That's all." He glanced at them out the corner of his narrowing eyes. "Then there's the deal with my brother. I get enough of people comparing me to Heba all the time. Is that going to be another occurrence while being with you? Am I just a replacement for him?"
Atem snorted nastily. "You can bet your ass I won't think twice about that pussy. He's the furthest thing from my mind." He ignored the scathing look from Yami as well as the disapproving frown from Yugi. Neither appreciated the slander on a lost loved one.
Yami sighed, voice rough. "Heba." He shook his head. "He's the past. I discarded any chance of ever finding a way to renew his memory in my life long ago. I can't dwell on the old when something new presents itself to me, willing to help me change." Yami brushed a drifting blond bane from Yugi's forehead, index finger tracing down his heart shaped face. "I'm not doing all of this change for a ghost. You and this fool here," he cocked an eyebrow at Atem, "deserve better than that."
Yugi twisted his upper torso around. "You mean that?"
"I say what I do and do what I say." Yami dropped his hand by his side. "Now, what happens from here?"
Yugi tilted his head. "We start slow right? Get to know each other and—"
Atem tossed his head back, a thunderous laugh booming from his chest. He rubbed his hand over his face to sooth the throbbing. "Young Buck, I'm thirty-one years old. You best leave that datin' shit for those little boys at your school. I don't court, I get what I want and be done with it. We're too old for that getting-to-know-each-other shit. Keep it simple. You want us and we want you."
"No one's too old to date," Yugi said. "How do you expect me to learn anything about you if you don't tell me?"
Atem rolled his eyes. "Are you seri—fine. Check it. My favorite color's green, I'm a Saints fan, I'm allergic to strawberries, I hate chocolate, I lost my virginity when I was ten, I have no siblings, I had a child with a bitch from hell, I own half of this city, I'm planning to fuck the living daylights outta you sometime in the near future and if this ain't enough info, you're fresh outta damn luck." He folded his arms and waited.
Yugi gawked, mouth hanging half open. He cleared his throat and tugged at his shirt collar. That'd been a little more than he'd asked for. "Well, I'm—"
Atem groaned agitatedly. "Yugi Samuel Muto age eighteen, birthday June 4th, 1995, AB positive blood type, no allergies, one deceased sibling, only living relative is Solomon Emmanuel Muto, works in Kami's Game Shop, attends Domino High School, plays baseball and has a unhealthy need to learn your damn business. Anything else?"
"How did you know all of that?" Yugi demanded half-angry, half-shocked. "That's an invasion of personal privacy!"
"I run a background check on anyone who looks at me for more than two seconds, kid."
Yugi thought a moment. "What's your middle name?"
Atem blinked. "Are you fuckin' with me right now?"
The two turned at the same time at the oddest sound either could have ever heard. It started small and suddenly carried on up becoming louder and louder, deep and rusty. Yami's head was thrown back as he let out a laugh, a genuinely full, hearty laugh. It was surprisingly devilish and sounded wonderful coming from him.
Yami shook his head of hair and said, "This is gonna be one interesting relationship." He rubbed a finger under his nose and sniffled. He lifted his face up to stare at the collection of bypassing clouds, like thin bed sheets. "Interesting indeed."
"Maybe," Atem muttered, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Problem is, how are we gonna do this? You aren't exactly walking around with the proper gear." He motioned at the Red Eye tattoos blanketing Yami's arms. "And I'll be damned if I turn red."
"Same here," said Yami. "It is a problem. As if I don't already have enough of those goin' around," he murmured the final part to himself.
Atem had heard it still. "What kind of problems?"
Yami waved him off. "Nothin', just business. Shit's been crazy around here lately. Someone's zappin' my accounts, my runners are disappearing left and right, and I keep hearin' word about your crew slipping under radar on my lands."
Atem's eyes grew three sizes too wide before narrowing thin as razor blades. Yami was going through the exact same shit Atem was. It was perfect replica of all the issues he'd been dealing with these few weeks and so far a solution hasn't popped up yet.
"So, neither of you know about your gang meeting up in front my school?"
Yami and Atem whipped their heads around to Yugi as soon as he said that. Their eyes resembled a criminal discovering he'd been doubled crossed by a comrade. Yugi gulped, shuffling his feet over the other.
"You seen red and blues hangin' out together around your school?" Atem questioned in a stony tone. "When?"
"Um, not that long ago. I saw them a few more times, but they're always meeting this guy in a silver Acura. I know I've seen him sometimes with Mr. Pegasus, but I can't remember his name."
Zigfried, Yami thought bitterly. Why the hell would he be meeting up with members from both sides at the same time?
A shuddering buzz glowed in Yugi's back pocket. Reaching behind himself, he retrieved his cell phone and gasped. "Guys, I really need to get home. I set my alarm to let me know when I've been out too late. I don't want my Grandpa to worry."
"I'll take you," Yami said. He ushered Yugi forward and pushed his back to get him walking. "Go on, I'm right behind you."
"Um, sure." Yugi did as he was told, hesitantly of course, waiting until Atem and Yami were following behind.
Atem didn't speak until they reached the end of the pier. When Yugi was out of earshot, he hissed through clenched teeth, "What the fuck is Zigfried doin'?"
"I have no idea, but we can't jump to conclusions just yet. He and Max can call up any of us at any time for a review." Still what was this foreboding dread enveloping Yami's spirit. He didn't like the idea of learning Zigfried was lurking around probably looking for an excuse to fuck up Atem and Yami's records. He'd had it out for them for as long as the gang leaders were children. There was no telling what he was up too.
"I'll do some investigating on my end. You and Yugi get home."
"Yeah, I'll do the same."
"Yami."
"What?"
Atem paused, grimly thinned his lips and stepped back. "You and Yugi come see me again. I'll tell you when and where."
Yami settled with a nod. Atem nodded as well, walking off to his car. Yami waited until he disappeared inside his car before dipping inside of his and driving off down the shoreline to the main road.
"Yami, is everything OK?" Yugi asked, worriedly following Atem's car until it went in the opposite direction.
"Everything's fine. We're fine." Yami patted Yugi's thigh, offering a one-sided smile before turning to face the road.
Everything would be fine. As far as he was concerned, it was going to be.
"This is some bullshit!"
Joey rolled his eyes heaven bound. Lord, give him strength. He'd never heard anyone bitch this much over nothing. The blonde's fingers drummed over the window lining, needing something to keep his hands occupied instead of strangling Akefia to death. This was exactly why he preferred collaborating with Slim for their assignments. He didn't talk about anything unless it pertained to something worth discussing. All Akefia wanted to do was sit here and complain about the first thing to cross his mind, such as not having any pussy for the past five hours.
Joey rather be somewhere else too; namely with a certain brunet with sweet chocolate eyes, smooth caramel skin, a nice ass and a sly smile. Damn. Joey could sit here and daydream about that kid all day long.
Akefia snatched a bite off a strawberry twizzler, and took a sip of his coke. "Why we here again?"
"Damn, you can't just sit there and shut ya mouth? You bitch more than an old woman."
"Whatever dude," Akefia grumbled in his throat. "This shit's stupid. We're hangin' out here waitin' for a bunch of dudes without no names. How are we supposed to know when we see 'em?"
"We'll know, just chill."
The sedating effects of the Purple blunt between his fingers was the only reason, J.R. hadn't put his hands around Akefia's neck. J.R. needed the numbness to focus, to think and to keep his mind sharp. All those bullshit documents about drugs having the total opposite effect on your body is a lie. They actually heightened Joey's senses about twentyfold. He'd need the stimulation for this mission.
These were simple orders, straight from Yami and yes, even that pretty bastard Pegasus. They had to scoop out the sling houses near the corners and meet joints to see who was out here stashing the loot. Joey was all too familiar with handling the dumbasses who liked to fuck over the family. Stealing money was pretty much a slap in the face to the men and women who swore to have your back in any situation. That's fine though. Joey had his M1911 pistol resting on his lap, finger curved around the trigger and his thumb massaging over the safety latch.
"So, what's goin' on with you and that pointy-haired kid?"
Joey mentally congratulated himself for maintaining his composure as he listed his head to the side to face Akefia's infamous shark grin. Joey sucked his tongue and glanced back out the side window of Akefia's suburban.
"The hell you on about, Thief?"
"Ya know what I'm talkin' about. Don't front. One of the goons said they saw you hangin' out with 'em at Insanity. Downstairs. Alone. Free service. Playing pool." Akefia fingered the list of oddities on his hands. "You hittin' that or what?" The Red Dawn dangling off Akefia's lip nearly broke in half when his teeth chomped down in a wide grin as if he already knew the answer.
Joey's breath scorched the inside of his throat he took another deep pull, secreting the narcotic mist through his nostrils. "It ain't even like that. We just chill ta'gether."
"It's not serious?"
Joey frowned. "Not yet dude. Why you playin' twenty-one questions?"
Akefia held his hands up playfully, toothy grin turning feral. "Don't bug, man. I'm just sayin'. We haven't heard you bust a nut in months. Kinda thought you were givin' up on gettin' some."
"Hell no," chuckled Joey. "You know I'm always gonna get mine. I'm takin' my time with this one though. Tristan's . . . he's different."
Akefia plucked his blunt from his lips, an honest curiosity lessening his smile. "What's so special 'bout 'em?"
Sighing tiredly, J.R. finished off his smoke and fished around the glove compartment for the Ziploc full of the sticky green. Funny, how much of a clown Akefia was, but when it came to being able to read deep into any situation, he was able to identify the root of anything. Didn't know why he bothered trying anyway. When Joey finished rolling up the blunt, he lit it up and savored the first drag of his fixings before letting everything out.
"I dunno what it is 'bout 'em, Thief. His face is always in my head. I like listenin' to 'em talk, the way he walks, acts, shit, I even like just starin' at 'em. He's fine as fuck too. Talk about a sick body," Joey murmured. Akefia was wearing a saucy smile, chuckling, but not interrupting. It was his silent urge to continue. "I knew the first time I laid eyes on 'em that I wanted to have him for myself. Once I got a sample, it's like I couldn't get enough."
"Word? That bad huh?"
"Hell yeah. And his eyes, damn," Joey couldn't resist sighing like he was lost in a dream. "They're this deep brown, kind of like hot chocolate. His swag is outta control. Have you seen that motorcycle he rides on too? It's wild." Joey paused a moment to catch his breath and settle down his thumping heart. He wasn't expecting a response from Akefia anyway. "Ya know I got a thing for dudes with brains, yeah? Let's just say he ain't slow, but he doesn't talk to me like I'm an idiot either. I dunno what it is, he's so . . . so . . ."
"Hm," Akefia made a thinking noise in the back of his throat. "You feelin' 'em?"
"Yeah, a whole lot. I mean, I think I wanna see it be a long term thing." His heart was dully walloping in his chest the more he went on about the teenager. Joey briefly relived the moment of fun they shared during the night at Insanity, their drive around time and the couple of times they talked over the phone. That's something that scared him a little bit too. The brunet was a constant mental block in his head when Joey's mind should've been occupied with handling business. Times like these were the ones when he should be applying himself to the mission, but he couldn't help it. Tristan was more addictive then these drugs.
Joey shuddered and thumped the end of his dissolved blunt out the window. The shit wasn't working anyway. He had no thought freedom what so ever. The only thing to reel him back to reality was the sudden metallic click of a gun.
"Yo' who's that?" Akefia quietly turned the ignition to his car.
Joey pumped his seat up from the reclined position and lowered his window to peer clearly out at the street corner parallel from them. A smoke grey Cadillac Deville fitting the description Duke dished out, swung around and parked, idling by a couple of runners. Joey sat up higher to get a closer look, eyes peeled for any strange activity. He wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet until he could get an ID on who was driving the car and if anyone was associated with the occupants inside.
The car's headlights dimmed off. Three doors concurrently popped open and before their eyes, were a pile of blue bloods pouring out of the vehicle like they owned the block. Joey's eyes budged out of his head. What the fuck was going on?
"Cocky ass fucks." Akefia snarled as he reached under his car seat to retrieve a loaded handgun and packed magazine. "Let's go—"
Joey ensnared Akefia's arm before he hopped out of the car. "Hold up," he mumbled, keeping a careful watch over the activity a few yards away. He didn't know what told him to hold back, but his instincts were going off like a broken car alarm. Joey just couldn't shake this sense of trepidation. Any other time he would've been ready to paint the street with blue bloods, but not this time. These guys knew they were up to their necks in red blood territory. It didn't make sense for them to openly come out like this and no one else is reacting to this.
"What the hell we waitin' for? They're right there!"
"And that's the fuckin' problem," Joey snarled. "Think about it. There's a pack of Blue Eyes right there. They're between Broad and Livingston Ave. There's nothing, but red all over this spot. So why the fuck ain't anybody else layin' these idiots out?"
Akefia's face seemed to register the bizarre circumstances and glared out the passenger window as well as the windshield. The situation only became stranger when the scan around concluded with only a few other Red Eyes spotted here and there. They were well in eye range of seeing the Cadillac of Blue Eyes loitering around the corner. Yet, no one was doing a thing about it.
"Something's not right," Akefia griped after a frustrated growl. "Why are they out here?"
"My thoughts exactly. Call Aussie, I'll get Slim." Joey dug in his pocket for his cell phone, gaze never leaving the enemy gaggle before him. His mind was a snarled raging storm ready to blow over a town. They were in dire need of a meet up at the main house. Joey didn't recognize a single face out there. That's what had him concerned. He made it his business to know every single recruit when they rose up in ranks.
Akefia chuckled bitterly under his breath. "I can't get Aussie. The motherfucka's phone keeps going straight to his voice mail.
Joey looked over at his partner with a slight frown. That wasn't like Valon. His phone never rung more than twice. It was required for all of them to keep their phones charged at all times in case of an all come for backup. Yami made sure everyone had a car charger in their cars. So why the hell—
"Come on, Aussie!" Akefia snapped into the receiver anxiously, leg fidgeting with building anxiety. "Pick up your damn phone!"
Joey ran a hand through his unruly blond hair. His phone bleeped once. Checking the glowing screen, Joey pressed in his passcode and saw Seto's name pop up next to a text message.
Blue Eyes supplying double deuces and dime speeds on Brooklyn Blvd from a yellow hoop.
~REFL (Red Eye for Life)
Joey bit down on his bottom lip. Nerves were briskly sweeping down his spine. It took him a few moments to collect his wits and respond back.
Brooklyn swamped wit' blue bloods. No answer up from da' O's. You heard from Aussie?
~RBFL (Red Blood for Life)
Not since this morning. Said something about going off with the crew to catch the next exports.
~REFL
Joey frowned thoughtfully before replying.
What exports? We don't have any shipments comin' in till next month. Who'd he go wit'?
~RBFL
Joey tried to hide the worry threatening to cover his entire face, but didn't really succeed, not when Akefia's knees were bouncing impatiently for some news. "Fuck," he groaned. Sinking back heavily in his seat, Joey raked his hand over his hair again, hand pausing over his mouth. "Shit." His fingers danced across the screen, shaking his head.
Seto buzzed in seconds later. Joey was afraid to see what the answer would be. He slid his thumb across the glass screen.
Idk. . .
~REFL
Joey blew out a heavy noise and slumped down in his seat.
"What'd he say?" Akefia grilled, twisting full in his seat. "Is he with him?"
Joey didn't prolong it. "He don't know. Slim hadn't seen 'em since this mornin'."
"The fuck—wait, somebody has to have seen 'em. Aussie doesn't go off doin' shit on his own. That ain't how we run shit!" he griped, voice rough and dangerously cold. "Something's not right. We need to find him." He was already putting his car in reverse and backing down the one-way to street. Joey didn't stop him either. He was anxious to find their partner in crime as soon as possible. The last thing he wanted to believe was that Aussie might be the victim of the big sleep . . .
Joey didn't want to think about another fact slowly creeping into his gang family either. There might be some busters mixed in the ranks and not just one side. . .
This was getting ridiculous. It's been weeks and not a word.
Yugi peered up from the Biology textbook he'd been pretending to read and zeroed in on the back of Tristan's head. He'd been itching to say something, anything at all to his best friend, but words failed him whenever the brunet would cast that iron-melting glare in Yugi's direction. Yugi's tongue held itself hostage in his mouth, refusing to command orders. In the meantime, Tristan was scribbling down notes for next Monday's mid-quarter finals, something Yugi should've been focused on doing himself. It wasn't easy doing that though when his mind was busily thinking about his time with Yami the other night and wondering what Atem was doing, which in turn lead to Yugi being distracted from his studies. With a distracted mind, came no concentration, and finally resulted in Yugi's wandering eyes falling on his best friend for the third time this class period.
All the words were a jumble of blurs. Yugi couldn't even get a proper image of the illustrations. This was stupid. Weeks without a word, days having to deal with tossing dirty looks at one another and if they accidentally tried to shove the other in the hall again, Yugi vowed the next time was going to turn into a straight brawl. There were many a time Yugi caught an elbow in his ribs that somehow managed to maneuver around twenty other students in the hall. That's not to say Yugi's foot hadn't stuck out at the most inappropriate moments and snagged Tristan's ankle a time or two.
The majority of study period, Yugi kept glancing up hoping to catch Tristan's eye. Not once had the brunet looked up from his textbook. It was pure chance when Yugi looked up again that Tristan's eyes strayed away from his notes to his cell phone, cleverly hidden beneath his desk. That could've been anyone, Tea, Duke, Rebecca or Ryou. That would've been Yugi's theory. However, a circle scan of the classroom told him that none of their friends were communicating with him. They were all preoccupied with reviewing their work.
His suspicions grew. Yugi tapped his pen on the corner of his mouth with a slight frown on his face. He was very curious about who had Tristan's attention. He must've checked his phone three times. Then, Tristan suddenly climbed to his feet and gathered his belongings. He pressed several buttons on his phone while approaching the front desk.
Yugi strained to hear what Tristan was saying to the teacher. Something about leaving early. Special meeting. Finished assignments. The teacher gave his consent, taking Tristan's notebook and waved him off to depart the class.
Yugi abruptly stood, scrapping the metal bumpers across the tile floor.
The entire class gave Yugi a disapproving look for the disturbance, but he paid them no mind, raising his hand up. "Mr. Somma?"
The orange haired teacher gazed up from his grading, cocking an eyebrow behind his square framed spectacles.
"Yes, Mr. Muto?"
"May I go to the restroom, sir?"
Mr. Somma checked the wall clock. "You can't wait another twenty minutes?"
"No sir, it's kind of an emergency." Yugi scratched behind his head sheepishly. "I'd hate for it to get messy in here."
"Right," Mr. Somma slowly drawled, low face scrunched distastefully. "Go on, be back in five minutes."
"Yes sir!" Yugi slid out of his table desk and shuffled out the door. He spotted Tristan taking a right down the hall, going for the back of the school. Searching everywhere, he caught a glimpse of back muscles and a swishing blue blazer disappearing around the corner towards the back entrance. Yugi sprinted across the threshold, lightly dancing on the tip of his toes to keep the rest of the teachers from hearing him chase his friend.
Tristan pushed through the double doors.
Yugi was right on his tail, stopping short of running into the doors. He tip toed, peeking through the square window. Yugi noticed something right away. Tristan seemed distracted, studying the school road like it held the secret to life right around the corner. Yugi refrained from calling his friend's name as he stood on the edge of the street.
Tristan glanced down at his wristwatch, and groaned. On cue the school bell rang, signaling the end of another day. Students erupted from the door in throes, surging forth after accomplishing seven hours of boring lectures and social interaction. Yugi was tossed and shoved between rushing seniors and juniors in a hurry to be the first out of the parking lot. In the midst of the hustle, he'd lost sight of Tristan.
Yugi's head swiveled from side to side, searching for that familiar ballpoint head. He found the brunet beats before he ducked inside a jet black Tahoe, parked along the curb at the edge of the school parking lot. The car swerved across the street and headed off in the opposite direction of where Tristan lived.
That part wasn't what shocked Yugi. It was the license initialed JR/RBFL that did.
In the backseat of a Rolls Royce Ushio Senior tossed his head laughing manically. "This is crazy!" he said between laughter at his captive occupant.
Zigfried hadn't been home in days. Thanks to some well-placed excuses forcefully passed to Pegasus to prevent suspicion, Zigfried knew Max wouldn't be worried about his whereabouts. However, that didn't help him in the least. It hadn't taken long for Zigfried to confess everything to after a little physical persuading.
His face bore flat hand sized prints and the bottom of his lip was slit down the center. He'd joined forces with the wrong man and unfortunately, it was too late to feel sorry for himself. Even if Ushio treated him badly, Zigfried still needed him to help accomplish his goal of cleansing the city of its trash.
"So that's how it was then," Ushio said after composing himself. "This puts a whole new perspective on things. Everything makes sense. No wonder the fuckin' cops had no lead on Heba's case. You and Pegasus had a hand in that."
Zigfried tenderly rubbed over his swollen cheek, curling as close to the window as he could. "We had no choice. The boy had gotten sloppy in his mission. If Zane had continued to investigate he would've assuredly connected me and Max to the crime."
"What difference would it have made if you weren't the ones to pull the trigger?" Ushio casually quizzed, shrugging his hefty shoulders.
Zigfried sighed audibly as if rehearsing the same lesson to a child. "It wasn't my decision to make back then. Pegasus wanted Yami and Atem alive and free from prison. He can't control the crime rate alone. Instead of being a lone ruler, he chooses to have two by his side in order to maintain cooperation."
"So he decided to keep the real murderers off of radar."
"Murderer."
"What?"
"There was only one murderer. Yami was already taken down when Heba died. That only left Atem on the night I arranged for them to be picked up from the stadium."
Ushio's grin spread diabolically. "Ah, so Atem pulled the trigger?
"No."
"Then who?"
"I cannot say."
Ushio frowned thoughtfully before deciding to let that slide. "That 2007 Black Tahoe with the two kids back then? That had been Atem and Yami with Heba." He chuckled. "Un-fucking-believable. You and Pegasus are up to your throats in innocent blood. And you call us the monsters."
"The destruction of the city hadn't been in our plans. We were only looking for a way to even the playing field. The Purple Fiends alliance had gotten too strong. They needed to crumbled before reaching that breaking point where Max could not control them."
"That's where that boy, Heba came into play," Ushio said. "Why him though? What made him so special?"
"We didn't pick him, you fool!" Zigfried snapped. "I wanted to kill the fools and be done with it. Heba approached us, asking for a way to protect his family. Pegasus gave him the chance and he took it. Heba operated the majority of what happened on his own. It was all him. He even planned his own death!" Zigfried was beside himself with rage, remembering the devastating report when the news had advertised the death of Heba. "The scheming fiend had not only double crossed Yami and Atem, but me and Max as well."
"So now?"
Zigfried swallowed, scowling at the city's horizon, bitterness soaking his words. "I want to get it right this time. No mistakes, no sideline interferences. The city will be cleansed of its filth and a new order will be established. Atem will be the broom and Yami the attached straw to sweep away the final remnants of this disgusting dwelling."
Ushio grabbed a pack of wrapped cigars from his glove compartment, lighting one up and placing it between his teeth. He inhaled once and blew away the misty essence. "And we'll do that by killin' the kid, yeah?"
"Yes." Zigfried swirled around with a hard expression. "I can only pilfer the pay for so long before Max notices a change in our finances. You need to make your move quickly."
"Hn, you don't have to worry about that. Gimme two months."
"Why so long?"
"For my own personal reasons. I learned a couple of things." Ushio dabbed his cigar head in the ashtray. "Baby girl's birthday is right around the corner. A pretty thing like her needs to be given the proper present for her special day." He formed his hand in the form of a gun and clicked his imaginary bullet through the windshield. "And that Muto boy's graduation is coming up soon."
"Why involve him in this?"
Ushio sucked the white smoke through his mouth and let in hover. He snickered before answering. "Let's just say that Atem ain't the only one with a delicate fuse."