Author's Rant: Please babycakes, please forgive the mistakes. This chapter is long as hell. . .
Recovery's Hardships
Ryou was beside himself with worry. All evening the city's been through into a fit of chaos unlike any he'd ever seen. None of it made sense to him. Seto knew something he just wanted admit to. Ryou remembered his boyfriend arriving to his two-story house hours prior, barking orders for Ryou to lock all the doors, close the curtains and to never leave the house until he came back.
No kiss, no embrace, not even a welcoming smile. Seto only darted up and down the halls, up the stairs and investigated every room in the house as if he expected some hidden enemy to appear. When he finished, Ryou sat on the couch, patiently waiting for the right moment to interrogate his boyfriend and ask what was going on.
Especially, why he hadn't heard from Akefia in so long. His voice constantly went straight to voicemail after the first ring. Ryou assumed the first few days he tried calling Akefia that he'd skipped town with some friends to Atlanta or Orlando for a brief spell. Knowing that arrogant brute, he'd forgotten to charge his phone. It wouldn't have been the first time Akefia had gone off with Valon for weeks on end without a word home.
Ryou would have accepted that theory had it not been for Seto's sharp eyes narrow and his lips pursing into a thin line. Dread nosedived in Ryou's stomach then and he said nothing when Seto left the house and boarded up the front door, spraying some kind of symbol on the front.
That'd been hours prior. Ryou clutched his cell phone in one hand and the house in the other. Any minute now he knew Akefia would call in with his amusing voice and give some crappy apology. Within the hour maybe? He was a busy person, being a senior member of the gang and all. Akefia would make time when he had some to spare.
Ryou wanted to make sure Akefia knew he was home when he called. Ryou also wanted a good look at the number because it could be an unknown area code. At least then, Ryou would have some idea as to where his block headed brother had gone off too.
For hours he sat in the same spot, drowning out the murderous shrills and cries outside his window. He ignored it all because none of it mattered. Akefia calling in the next few minutes mattered most. And he would call soon. Probably to complain about how hungry he was and what kind of meal he wanted Ryou to fix. There were so many options. Roasted lamp and smothered potatoes, with buttered Brussels sprouts or maybe a good old fashion Westernized meal?—
A loud pounding boomed on his front door. Ryou dropped both phones as he tried to get control over his hysterical breathing. Picking the phones off the floor, Ryou sucked in a deep breath and carefully went to the door.
"Open it," he heard Seto's deep, raspy voice order.
Ryou sighed a breath of relief and did as told, undoing all the locks and latches before pulling the door open. He stepped back surprised. The front of Seto's clothing was saturated with a dingy redness. Blood? His eyes grew to the size of saucer plates.
"What on earth happened?" Ryou pulled Seto inside and guided him to the couch. His hands immediately skated all over Seto's upper torso, fearful and nervous as he searched for puncture wounds of any kind.
Seto caught his hands, his expression firm as he said, "I'm fine. What about you?"
"I'm alright." Ryou released all of his pent of air and squeezed between Seto's thighs, wrapping his arms around his waist. "God, Seto, I was worried. I thought the worse happened. You hadn't called for hours, and the commotion outside hasn't gotten any better. I heard the police speeding pass. . ." He stopped speaking when two large hands gently pushed under his armpits. Ryou lifted his head from Seto's lap and gazed up confused.
Seto urged the younger man up to his feet and pulled him down to straddle his lap. Seto cupped the back of Ryou's and pushed their foreheads together, eyes closed.
"Seto?" Ryou tried to lean away, but Seto's grip hardened. "Are you OK?"
Seto finally opened his eyes.
Ryou was scared. "What happened?"
The bright, overwhelming worry in his brown eyes caused Seto to avert his own to the side. He could face the wrong end of a gun, face a horde of police firing rifles at him or even death, but those brown doe eyes were impossible to do battle with. Seto's arms wrapped like rope around Ryou's waist and he pulled him in, shifting the teen's face into his neck.
"I'm sorry," Seto murmured in Ryou's ear.
The words prickled his ears like needles and eyes grew even wider. Ryou pushed at Seto's chest with his fists. "Sorry? I don't understand. For what?" his voice broke. "What are you sorry for?"
Seto only looked at him. Ryou panicked.
"What are you sorry for?" he demanded frantically. The fingers on Ryou's back dug into his skin. He grew frantic. "What are you sorry for?!"
Seto tried to lean into him, Ryou jerked from his grip all together and stood on his own, fists rose up and eyes glossy.
"Where's my brother?" Ryou quietly asked after distancing himself as he asked the dreaded questions. "Why hasn't he come back here with you? Where has he gone where he can't pick up the phone and call?"
Seto rose to his feet and held out his arms. "I'm sorry."
Ryou sucked in sharply, looking between Seto's arms and his face. He took a step toward him. Ryou winced at the unmoved expression and stepped back. Why is Seto looking at him this way? What isn't he telling him?
"Is Akefia lost?"
Seto forced himself to shake his head.
Ryou choked. "Is he hurt?"
A saddened glare.
Ryou roughly sniffled and wobbled in place. He caught the arm of the couch to balance himself as he finally asked the question that loomed in the back of his mind for days.
Seto gave no gesture or verbal confirmation.
Ryou went pale. His stomach wretched, his legs numbed and several thousand things fell in his mind and seemed to settle in his feet, making them heavier than he'd ever felt. "I'm alone," he said in slow agony. "I have no one now . . . my brother. . . Ake-fia—Ake'." Ryou covered his mouth to hold back the bail threatening to spill on the floor as he crumbled to his knees and loudly wept.
Harsh sobs jerked his body, the screaming came and all he could do was curl up in Seto's arms as he cried. Bakura, he'd lost him when they were so young. Akefia never got over it. He took that regret to his grave. Now, the burden laid on Ryou. The death of his brothers will be carried with him. . .
Yugi didn't want to open his eyes. For the first time in what seemed like years, his body felt utterly relaxed, his mind tranquilly at peace. He wanted remain lost in the dark, free from the happenings burning into his dreams. Yugi rose higher and higher toward waking anyway, much to his prayers to keep from seeing for himself what his mind kept him up to speed about; the killings, screaming, cries, death, insanity, all of it a nasty stain in reality.
When Yugi could no longer keep his eyes shut, he opened them. His arms were splayed on either side, and his upper torso rested against two pillows so soft and thick, that he couldn't tell if it were air or cotton supporting him. The area's dark interior, shadowy outline of nightstands, the plastic railings on his bed and flicking silhouettes pasting by the door, said all he needed to know.
Unwelcome realization slowly crept up on him. His brain scarcely brought the memories together like fitting in puzzle pieces. The gunfire, the pain, the humiliation, the cruelty, those determined looks, fearful and angry, yes, he remembered. Yugi shamefully remembered everything. Fixing his fingers, he felt an IV tube injected fluids in his left wrist.
Yugi's entire body felt stiff and heavy as a sack of concrete; it was as if gravity decided to imprint all of its pressure at once. His legs were hiked up on two more pillows, just as thickly cushioned and smooth. Blinking up at the dark ceiling, Yugi turned his head to the side, regretting the action immediately when an sour puddle of blood pooled the bed of his tongue. A small dose of pain along with a stubborn stiffness in his neck made turning and moving difficult.
Yugi sighed and settled for keeping his face where he managed to turn it, out the wide panel window. The curtains were pulled save for a thin sliver of what looked like an eruption of russet orange smoke bloomed over the city. Plumes of smog haloed over the city, flames grazing the underbelly of the smoke like manicured fingers. Distance couldn't stop the horrified screams, the thumping explosions from pounding under the hospital floor or the tension from reaching as far as Yugi's patient room.
Yugi stared for God knows how long, helplessly envisioning the devastation that's taking place outside these concrete walls. In the midst of it, he could picture Atem standing tall, dictating the destruction and guiding the hand that would further spread the mayhem. Atem would be there. Yugi gradually recalled the earth-melting glare in Atem's eyes that sunk into Yugi's spine like frozen fangs.
The city will feel Atem's anger, his rage. Yugi knew he was to blame for everything. None of this would have happened if he'd been stronger, if he hadn't been so foolish as to open the door. Kisara had said to hide in the closet with her. If they had, maybe their chances of escaping harm would have been greater. He had a gun with him.
"D-dam-mn it," he choked and coughed, eyes squint tight from the harsh command it took on his slashed throat. It wasn't fair, all of those people suffering. Atem shouldn't take out his animosity on any of them. He should have laid it all on Yugi, all of it. The sake of one punishment would have easily quailed the thirst for something this severe.
How, how could he live with himself knowing the full magnitude of the city's destruction lied on his shoulders. Atem should hate him, blame him, hurt him. No one knew that better because Yugi hated himself for what was happening. He kept his eyes squeezed shut as a blinding hot sting caressed the back of his eyes. Those people, women, men and children, old and young, everyone was suffering because of him.
Yugi couldn't stand being here alone. He was going mad, hearing those faint screams for mercy and pleas of help; gunfire ranging out like struck bells, it was sheer madness. Yugi squirmed in place for a moment, working in some feeling to his limps. He used willpower, the kind not even he knew he was capable of mustering, and forced his body to cooperate.
He sat up, the strength exhausting to heavy panting. His eyes shifted, he coughed and sniffled. Yugi snatched off and flung to the side. The soles of his feet ached as he pressed them into the cold floor. It shot a wild chill to his core and he realized it was terribly cold. He used the blanket as a coat and gradually guided himself in the dark room shuffling little by little to the door. He pressed the metal latch down and peered out.
His eyes were droopy, heavy and protested against the overhead lights. There weren't any nurses or doctors wandering the halls. He took his chance and slipped out the door. Yugi had no idea where he was going or how he knew where he wanted to go. He let his feet take him where his heart ached for comfort.
Down the corridor, he went, bypassing hospital rooms and none of them feeling right. He turned around the corner, ducking back before a pair of nurses could spot him. When they passed Yugi continued, weakly inhaling through his nostrils.
Patient Room #407
Yugi paused outside this door. Grazing his fingers over the number sign, he felt a tug inside, urging him to go in. He swallowed back a soft whimper and pushed the latch down. The room opened to pitch darkness, nothing but black scattered all over, no shred of light. The curtains were drawn tight. The hallway's white light flashed a triangle path to the edge of a bed.
Yugi took a deep breath and entered. His cheeks, he realized, were warm and suddenly moist. Hot tears ness slid down his face and the side of his neck, soaking into the gauze. The light from the hall thinned as Yugi followed it to the bed were he grasped the end and trailed his palm over the cotton sheets. He found a hand splayed on top.
"Yami," Yugi whispered in the dark. It hurt to speak, but not as much as the burden of guilt devouring him inside. Yugi intertwined his fingers with the quiet person lying silently in bed. "Ya-yami, I'm scared." Yugi eased closer. He brought the cold hand to his month. "I'm scared."
Nothing is said back. Yugi sighs and guides the limp appendage under his chin. No sign of movement, acknowledgement that he'd been heard or anything. Yami's condition was Yugi's fault as well. Why had he felt propelled to come here? Why?
"Tell me it'll be OK," he hoarsely whispered. He could say nothing more from the flakes of dry blood sticking to the inside of his windpipe. He was afraid, but of what? The rest of the city's misfortune being strapped tighter on his back? Or. . . what. . . just what. . . made him so scared.
The hand in his twitched. A quick faint move that Yugi would have missed if the longer digits had cupped his chin. Yugi gasped. His eyes widened and for a moment, he swore he could see Yami's red eyes glaring at him. A gentle tug lured him in closer, until he laid alongside Yami's body. Yami's arm draped around Yugi's shoulders and squeezed.
Yugi nuzzled his nose into Yami's neck. He smelled so much like the medication and ointments rubbed all over his wounds. Gunpowder clung to his skin despite the wash offs. Instead of warding Yugi away, it drew him in more. Fear steadily left Yugi's body, but a big part refused to leave him.
Yami's hand squeezed him even closer as if to push out all of the anxiety and soon, it worked. Yugi felt himself relaxing little by little. Sleep crept over him slowly. He snuggled into Yami's side and before he knew it, Yugi fell asleep, slightly fearful, and nervous.
The knots in Dr. Hawkins unraveled when he finally located the missing patient. Half the hospital went into an uproar when one of the nurses went in for a routine check-up, only to discover the patient inside missing. Dr. Hawkins did his best to keep his composure in front of his staff, but with the little girl's health in dire need of his attention and those media vultures stalking the doors for news on the Yugi Muto's health, keeping calm was difficult.
Finding Yugi wrapped up in one of the deadliest patient's arms, didn't sit well with the good doctor, but he knew the young boy wasn't in any real harm. He had his assistant spread the word around the hospital that the boy was found, but not to be disturbed. He'd keep an eye on this room himself.
The early morning revealed a haunted scene of what was left behind after the terror from hours ago. Paramedics, fire fighters, police officers and city workers worked around the clock, cleaning the streets. Skeletons of once towering buildings were nothing more than assembled piles of debris. Ambulances diligently drove through the streets and alleyways, picking up the remains of dead bodies and the barely living. The city's saviors could only shake their heads and mourn the loss of so many lives, the good and bad. Young gang members that could have spent their time making something out of themselves were nothing more than leftovers from the police's assault.
A female paramedic carefully scanned across the scorched flower park for anyone living victims. Just one, if she could just find one breathing human being in the midst of this calamity—damn it. In the passenger's side of the ambulance, her brown eyes strained for signs of life. She couldn't take having to gather anymore bodies of the youth.
She and her partner were one of the few units responsible for transporting the living to the hospital. So far, there hadn't been much luck for her team. Looking between the gaps of parked cars and overturned vehicles, she counted heads, imagining their lives before this. What did they do before they were reduced to corpses? Did their love ones know where they were? How will families react when learning that their sons and daughters were dead? A lot of them were so young. . .
"Yo', earth to Rin!"
The dark haired girl blinked and turned to her partner. "Yeah?"
He put the ambulance in park and curled his tires into the curb. "We're gonna stop here. Might get lucky, ya know?"
Rin didn't think so, but she'd try anything these days. Nodding her head, she hopped out of the vehicle and began her search. She stepped over bodies burnt so black the definition of their skeletons printed against the flesh. The smell was stifling. Rin raised her wrist to his nose and squinted through the wisps of smoke and ashes.
"Rin!"
The older paramedic stopped. "What's up!" She called over. Her partner was crouched to his knees over a body. Dare she hope?
"We got a live one!"
Rin hustled over to the younger paramedic's side. She couldn't believe it. As she bent over, she pressed her index and middle finger over the victim's jugular. It was faint, but there was definitely a pulse. Brushing aside his greasy blond hair, she sent up a quiet prayer to the heavens, thankful that her skills could be put to use. Rin motioned for her partner to go get the roller cot. Meanwhile, she quickly started cutting through his purple clothing to reveal the full extent of his injuries.
Two bullet wounds to the upper torso and a bullet impression grazed along his temple. What a miracle. His head barely missed being blown off. The clicking wheels of the roller cot stopped behind her.
"We need to hurry!" She snapped at her partner. The younger paramedic snapped to attention and followed her orders to get the blond victim on the cot. Together, they were able to get him in the ambulance and to the closest hospital. Only time would tell if he will survive.
Yugi sighed and wrinkled his nose. He hated the taste of the hospital's meals. The eggs were bland, the bacon rubbery and—there was no telling what this white lumpy stuff was. He'll be damned if they called it oatmeal or grits. Besides the foods' awful aftertaste, keeping it down was another challenge. Yugi stomached it just to pacify the doctors and nurses whenever they checked into the patient room. He would need his strength, they told him. Eating will guarantee a full recovery and makes us comfortable to know that your throat isn't still damaged.
It was very much damaged after eating these unpleasant dishes. Getting food in his stomach was the last thing on his mind anyway. Yugi was worried. According to the doctor's information, he'd been here week now. When he was allowed, a nurse escorted him to Kisara's room. He never imagined the little girl could look any paler, then she did, near the brick of tittering over death's edge and living. She was scheduled for surgery yesterday.
Yugi had no idea how it'd went, but he prayed harder than he had since he was a small child. He was scared for a little girl's future and the fate of his loved ones, the ones who have yet to come see him since he came to. Not once had his grandfather, Tristan, or Atem visited the hospital. Scenarios of them being victims of the rising list of deaths played in his head like a horror flick that refused to leave your mind after the first watch.
Yugi placed his plastic spoon in the corner of his breakfast tray and pushed the meal away. He made his stomach feel worst. They should have come to see him by now. Joey would have evacuated Tristan out of the city, wouldn't he? It's what Yami and Atem did for Yugi and Kisara. Yugi had been told by Yami and Atem that they'd moved his grandfather to another separate part of town where they kept another secluded suburban horde of empty houses.
So, what about Atem? The outcome of the damages a week ago were clear. The police arrested the gang members they hadn't killed, but the ones that had been were carted off to morgues. The number of funerals to attend will be off the charts. There was no way Yugi will be able to go to all of them in order to pay his respects and apologize to the families and friends for their loss.
It would be fitting, as one of the city's heroes . . . and the reason for its downfall to go.
The space next to him creaked. Yugi gazed over at the one eyed glare Yami gave him and flinched back, half expecting a sharp slap to follow such a fiery look.
Seeing the motion, Yami closed his eyes and sighed. He barely said more than two words since he and Yugi started sharing the patient room. He was physically active, touching Yugi when he heard him cry or leaning into the teenager when he though the boy could use comfort. That look was new though. Yugi hadn't saw an expression that sharp since the night Atem slapped him.
Yugi knew why it was there and turned away, pushing the entire tray table away from the bed.
"Don't look at me like that," he softly rasped. "You can't expect me not to feel this way. I'm as guilty as those people pulling the trigger on those people."
Yami's head hadn't turned over to acknowledge Yugi's statement.
"I'm trying to make sense of it all," Yugi continued. "I want to know why he'd go to such lengths to express his rage. Atem shouldn't have promoted a terror like that to your men. Our situations should have been handled by the police. He doesn't have the right to take justice into his own hands." Yugi side glanced Yami's still quiet frame. "Yami, help me make sense of it. What did reducing the city to rubble prove? What good or satisfaction came from murdering innocent people? Why would he go so far for our sakes? It's just—just not right. Oh Yami," Yugi dropped his face in his hands and sobbed and coughed and sniffled. "It wasn't fair to any of those people. They didn't deserve it."
Yugi went into a fit of nasty coughs, hacking and choking on the sour saliva and emotional lump in his throat.
"Yugi."
Yugi's entire body startled at the low drop in Yami's tone. It was so clear and firm, Yami's lips could have be pressed right on Yugi's ear.
"If you have to tell yourself over and over that Atem's actions aren't justified, you're just as blind as Pegasus." With that, Yami said no more.
Yugi frowned thoughtfully, wondering what the city's richest man had to do with any of this. He decided to say nothing back and stared sightlessly at the television turned to the news channel. All they showed were bulldozers shoving off hug piles of waste, police directing heavy traffic, reporters speaking live at the worse scenes of all, with pictures of bodies so graphic and gruesome, not even distorted blurs could disguise the details.
Yugi bowed his head, tangled banes shadowing his eyes. Those poor people, Yugi sadly thought. All because of his stupid physical weakness. If only he'd been stronger—
Yugi suddenly registered a fast shift by his side, the sheets tasseled and then his arm was gripped like a long round of sharp teeth were clamping into his flesh. One hard pull forced him on his stomach, arms splayed crazily by his sides and legs kicking on instinct to defend. Hard knees dug into the back of his knees and two large hands locked his wrists behind his back. His eyesight went bright white from the surge of pain in his throat.
When he did turn his face to the side, he knew he'd see Yami's body flattened over him, but he hadn't expected to see the saddened expression. Yugi squirmed and a long whine erupted in the back of his throat when his arms were hiked too high.
"You're driving me crazy, you know that?" Yami's dark, deep voice vibrated like a stern drum beat in Yugi's ears. "I've watched you sit here looking at the TV. like a depressed bitch ready to off her life. You're selfish, you're foolish and too naïve to understand why Atem did what he did. Shut up—" Yami shortly demanded when Yugi began to protest "—you've moaned and groaned enough to attract the dead. I'm sick of it. What makes you think that Atem went through all of that strictly for our sakes? Why would he go so far as to bring an entire city to its knees for his daughter, myself and a teenage boy?"
Yugi ground his teeth, saying nothing.
"It goes deeper than that, his thirst vengeance. More was nearly killed off before his eyes besides us. A man's pride was laid out and stepped on like a throw rug—his heart was trampled on by his enemies. How a man chooses to fix his emotions is an individual choice, but I do know if it had been me, I would've done much worse than set Domino a blaze. It would, after all, reflect the hurt of what I felt when everything I loved was torn away before my eyes." Yami leaned down, using his straight, pointy nose to nuzzle the back of Yugi's neck. "A broken heart, a shattered spirit, a crushed soul it can echo louder than any collapsing building. You're deaf to his feelings because you're afraid to admit that so many lives were destroyed based on a man's love for us; a love he'll refuse to acknowledge even until the day he dies."
Yugi grimaced, eyes impossibly wide. He jerked his head to the side, peering up at Yami's low-eyed gaze and the small dribble of blood seeping through the seam of his thin lips. Yugi watched it fall and stall at the edge of Yami's jaw before falling. The strain of moving so much must have stirred a slight rupture inside his body.
"Yami." Yugi wiggled until his arms were freed but Yami didn't move from where he laid flat on his back, face leveling with the back of Yugi's head and hands gently blanketing over Yugi's. One by one, Yami squeezed his fingers in between Yugi's and squeezed them together.
Yugi croaked a deep sob that shook the very core of his body. He turned his face into the bed because over and over Yami's words slammed like a wrecking ball in his brain. It still wasn't fair to go about it that way. If—if Atem truly . . . it was so hard to imagine him loving anyone besides himself and Kisara, but would he really cause an entire city to suffer to guarantee everyone felt his hurt?
"I can't believe it," Yugi's muffled whisper said into the mattress. "Yami, he should have said something. I wish I could have done something—"
"You could do nothing. We were reckless and arrogant; too damn bullheaded to notice our doom. Had we gone with our first instinct, we would have taken you and Kisara out of the city limits." Yami grunted shifting his head so it perfectly aligned with Yugi's face, the both of them facing out the window. "We didn't because we predicted our victory too early on. Our cockiness was our downfall. You suffered, Kisara nearly lost her life, and so had I."
Yugi squeezed Yami's hand at hearing that. One great miracle was all of their steady recoveries. But to hear Yami say so much about Atem, it seemed he was just as badly wounded as they were.
"I guess love works all ways," Yugi said after moments of silence passed. Yami said nothing as Yugi went on speaking. "You've loved Atem long enough to interpret all of his actions so easily."
Yami snorted. "Hardly."
Yugi chuckled sadly. "That explains my love for you then. I know when you're in denial." Yami's stiffened state brought another chuckle from Yugi. "You'd better say it back or prove it to me some day, the both of you. . . I don't wanna think I'm in love all by myself."
Yugi knew Yami's rose on his forehead from how his temple crinkled over Yugi's hairline. Then he relaxed, threading his fingers in and out of Yugi's hand.
"What're you tryin' to tell me?" Yami softly said.
After closing his eyes and sighing contently under Yami's weight, Yugi whispered, "It's not obvious?"
"Tell me anyway. I've never heard anyone say it to me."
Yugi frowned. "Didn't Atem? Didn't—" Yugi paused, "— didn't Heba say it to you?"
Yami sighed through his nose. "No, or I don't think I remember. From either of them." Yami nuzzled his nose under Yugi's ear. "Doesn't matter. I wanna hear it from you."
Yugi squirmed in Yami's arms, pressing his mouth into Yami's. "I love you," he said, each word pressing into Yami's lips.
"Say it again."
"I love you, Yami."
Yami hummed approvingly and lowered his head down like the force of gravity demanded he stay as firmly pressed into Yugi slighter form. "You better." Yami connected their lips together, a brief contact that was long overdue for both men. It was sweet, short and perfect. Yami drew away and returned to laying on Yugi's head, sleep settling over him like a warm blanket. "Everything'll be alright," he slurred before falling asleep.
Yugi wasn't entirely sure everything would be alright. He didn't think anything ever would be until they were all united with their loved ones, family and friends. Only then could he say he would be ready to accept a possibility to a content life.
"Does he have any family members we can call?" one doctor asked for the blond patient recently checked in. After hours of surgery, he'd be fine, but at his critical state, he really needed support.
The nurse shook of her head as she flipped through the charts for any records of next of kin to call. "No, he's been checked in here before, numerous times. His father was murdered and sister taken into custody, but there's no indication of whom the new family is she lives with. I've contacted police, but they're too busy."
The doctor stared at the closed door and scratched behind his head. "I guess he'll just stay here until he's well. He's bound to know someone to go to when he wakes up." The doctor just wished the young man wouldn't have to be alone when he did.
"Dr. Gigi!" Said doctor frowned disapprovingly down the hall at his assistant hustling down the hall. The younger man skidded to a stop in front of his mentor, doubled over, panting. "Doctor Gigi, we have, we have someone in the front lobby, causing a ruckus. Says he won't live until he talks to a doctor."
Dr. Gigi rolled his eyes. The small clinic outside of Domino barely had enough staff to take care of all the victims being emitted at once. He didn't have time to bother with some irate person. However, if he didn't deal with this character, there wasn't a doubt in his mind that more trouble would arouse. Sucking his teeth the, doctor passed the stack of files in his hand to his assistant and marched down the hall to meet with whoever was causing a fuss in the front lobby.
When he arrived it was to see a young, lean brunette with outrageous pointy hair and scowl worthy of a politician.
The doctor composed himself, cupping his hands behind his back. "I'm Dr. Gigi, head physician over this faculty. You wanted to speak with me?"
The teen, wearing a brown leather vest, khaki cargo shorts and a white t-shirt leaned away from the window and shoved his hands in his pockets. "It's about time I got some service around here!" he snapped. "I'd hire better staff if I were you, Doc, 'cause clearly a bunch of these guys aren't up to par with what's going on."
Doctor Gigi cocked his head to the side, frowning. "Perhaps I can help. What seems to be the problem."
The teen's expression saddened. "I'm looking for a patient. I've called all over the city looking for him. I managed to find my best friend, but couldn't get past the horde of media junkies. Yipee, right? I called up here and asked for Joseph Wheeler. They said he was here, but this dumb broad," he jerked his chin at the receptionist, "won't let me get back there because she has something against a guy trying to make sure his boyfriend is fuckin' alive!"
Joseph Wheeler, eh? The blond gangster did have someone who cared for him. The doctor smiled. That was all right with him.
"Sir, do you want me to call security," the receptionist retorted from behind the class. "I will gladly have this ruffian escorted off the premises."
"Go and ahead and dial the number, you dried up biddy! As a matter of fact, gimme the number. I'll do it for you!"
"It's fine," the doctor intervened before it got too bad for his receptionist. "I've been hoping to see him actually."
The young man cocked an eyebrow. "Me?"
"Yes, or someone like you. Follow me, will you? I believe the friend you're looking for is waiting."
The youth's brown eyes brightened as he filed behind the doctor. He stuck his tongue out the receptionist before turning a corner to catch up with the doctor. After a short journey, the doctor looked over his shoulder, curious at the young man's sudden quiet demeanor. His whole aura changed. Those bright eyes were shifty and counting each step he took, his stride slowed and he kept pocketing his hands over and over.
The doctor smirked. He stopped outside patient room 109. "He's in here. Try not to exhaust him much. He's in and out of consciousness. No telling when he'll wake up again, but perhaps you'll get lucky." The young man smiled the best he could and waited until the doctor let him inside.
The young man didn't hesitate to troop into the quiet, semi lit room. He zeroed in on the patient in the bed and from his sharp intake of breath, the doctor knew the young man had found his friend. A chair was pulled up by the side of the bed as the brunet youth reached out for the hand with an IV stuck in his vein.
"What's his condition, Doc? Is he gonna be alright?"
"He will."
The doctor monitored the scene for a moment. He'd lied to the young man when he came in. Mr. Wheeler hadn't woken up once since the paramedics processed him in. His vitals were strong. Only time would tell when he'd come to.
"Ya big dummy," the doctor heard the young man grumble with affection. "You said you'd come back. I thought you meant at my house not all battered up and shot. Why'd I have to be the one to track you down. That's as backwards as it gets Joey Wheeler." Bringing the limp hand to his mouth, the young man kissed each cold finger.
He as well as the doctor jumped jolted when two calloused fingers rubbed over the young man's lips. The patient's lips moved. The brunet frantically scooted closer to listen. Whatever was said suddenly brought a bright red color to his face.
The doctor chuckled and took a step back, the final words he heard echoing like bells.
"I'll say it back when you get outta here, dumbass. Not the most romantic place for I love you's, right?"
"Why won't you go see them?"
Atem cast the foulest look in the world at his cousin as she paced back and forth in his living room, arms folded under her bosom, her navy and leopard print Gucci High Heel booties scratching the plush carpet to shreds. Since arriving to his home last night to check up on him, she was surprised to find her cousin's pent house in a state of ruin. Their territory hadn't been as abused, but no one would be able to tell the difference looking inside this place.
The couches were turned over, wine flute glasses scattered on the floors, vases smashed against the walls, pictures slammed on the floors, and the blinds on the windows were snapped or torn down. Isis worked for hours putting her leader and cousin's home back to some form of organization while he remained where he'd been since she arrived, sitting on the only armchair that survived his reign of terror. She wasted wearing her grey True Religion bead studded jeans, white tank top and navy and blue blazer, assuming she'd be able to convince Atem to least get out of town to relieve his stress.
How wrong she had been. Isis flipped her neatly braided micro braids over her shoulder and propped her hand on her hip as she stopped before Atem and glared down at the top of his head.
"Pathetic," she spat nastily. "This is absurd! Moping in here in the dark like a kicked dog. There's no excuse for this behavior, cousin. It's been two weeks now. The doctor called you days ago about Kisara. The boy's health is almost back to where it used to be. That fool Yami will be back terrorizing the streets in a few days as well. I'd think you'd be beside yourself with relief!"
Atem's head stayed bowed, braided hands covering his mouth. He didn't grace his cousin with the dare stare he continued to deliver straight into the carpet.
Isis's pedicured nails impatiently tapped the side of her hip. "Zigfried is dead. The Supreme is dead. The city will never take the gangs for granted ever again. We may have lost many men, but we'll gain more. It's nothing we can't handle." Isis stepped closer to him and squatted down in front of his face. "Vengeance is yours, Atem. Your loved ones will live. All of these blessed fortunes are a cause for celebration! Why aren't we thrilled about this?" She grasped his large hands and tugged at him.
Atem's strength proved to be stronger because he didn't budge and inch when she tried to jerk his fists from his face. She tried harder, never one to give up so easily. Climbing to her feet, Isis pulled harder, digging her heels into the threaded carpet and yanked with all her might. He didn't move. Stubborn as a mull and just as strong.
"Atem enough is enough! You cannot wallow in the dark any longer!" Her accented voice shrieked. "Uncle taught you better. When you have your victory, all that's left to prepare for the next! We can't sit idly by while Zane builds his forces. This city could be ours, don't you see?" Isis's nails sunk like fangs into Atem's hands. With strength like a bull, Isis dragged Atem's hands from his face and clutched as if he'd try to hide his face again.
Atem's flaming eyes finally found hers and she was so taken back by the intensity in them, she fell on the floor and backpedaled away. The hairs all over her body stood as she focused on her cousin. That's what she wanted to see, some spark in those eyes, the compassion for power. Only, she hadn't wanted that danger directed towards her.
Atem started stalking toward her hands clenched into fists at his sides. He felt disoriented. His mind has never been so disharmonious with his composure. Mumbling words echoed in his brain, bouncing around like gnats caught in jar and he kept seeing flashing images of things he didn't want to see. Years ago. So many memories from back to his childhood played in his brain.
Finding Yami curled up behind a trashcan soaked to the bone and freezing from a snowfall, arms and legs almost blue and bruised. Encountering Heba for the first time and learning to love another man. Fucking two men at once. Being killed by one of those men. Losing his mind. Losing Yami. Then Yugi, nearly losing him over and over. Watching the blood flow from his slit throat. Watching Yami struggle to stand against the force of the bullets ripping through his body. Seeing Kisara's fragile body take the full power of those bullets, knowing she'd never withstand it.
And what'd done? Nothing. He couldn't do a goddamn thing back then and he couldn't do it now. He shouldn't have been so damn wrapped up back then. Maybe things could have been different.
Atem's stomach gave a nasty heave. Before he knew it, all the food he'd eaten poured out on the floor in front of him and the back of his eyes burned. Atem coughed violently and he lifted his head to look up at a horrified Isis, one arm curled around his stomach.
Tears rolled down his cheeks. This was the second time he'd ever felt so fragile; all because he hadn't had the strength to keep his loved ones safe. He couldn't save Yami before. He couldn't save Heba. He couldn't save Yami or Yugi or even his own damn daughter from knocking on death's door.
Fragile, the voices yowled in his head. Fragile and weak. That's what this fucking love business did to you. Made you weaker, made you suffer because in the end it always made you feel light as air and easy to bend.
"I wish I didn't care," Atem growled as he crumbled to the floor. He slammed his fist into the vomit soaked carpet, splashing the clumpy contents around his knees. "I don't want to care. I want it back! I want my heart back!"
Isis steadily approached him, hands stretched out. "Atem—"
"I don't want to be this way! Fuck all of this! All this regret, this—this shame, I shouldn't have any of it! They're nothing but a bunch of bodies. I shouldn't care if they died! I don't love them! I don't! I fucking don't." That one word was his undoing. Love. He didn't want it to be, but no matter how he denied it, it was the nasty fucking truth. They were nearly killed because he loved them so much. Love made him blind. He would have been able to do something to keep them from harm.
If only he hadn't been so focus. He wouldn't experience this hurt either. It was such a compelling emotion he felt his stomach heave again. Nothing but sour saliva left him. Soft hands landed on his shoulders.
"Don't be afraid to feel this way, Atem. It doesn't change the man you are. Only you can decide that. It's how you handle these emotions that determines the outcome of your personality."
"I can't—I don't, don't know how," Atem said between gut churning sobs. "I'm so weak. B-baby girl nearly died. Yugi was—Yugi was humiliated before my eyes. Yami—and Yami he was gonna s-s-sacrifice himself for them and I did nothing. The fuck is wrong with me?!" All of his weight collapsed into Isis's chest as he let out the rest of his misery. "Take this feeling away," he cried in her bosom. "If I let those I-I care about get hurt, how the hell am, what am I—I don't know what to do."
It was so strange, witnessing her cousin's shattered spirit happen before her eyes. Embracing him did nothing. Talking to him did nothing. What could she do to help?
Isis heard it first before Atem. His front door opening and closing. Their position obtruded their sights from seeing who entered. Footsteps sunk into the carpet.
Then Yugi appeared first and a taller looming figure, Yami, gazing annoyingly at the debris keeping them from entering the penthouse.
Atem looked away when Yugi's eyes scoured the room. He felt Yami's gaze land on him first and Yugi's follow, both intense. Isis rose from her position and stepped away.
"I'll leave you to them." Isis grazed her knuckles over Atem's bowed head before gathering her things and going to the front door. On her way, she touched Yugi's shoulder and shot a warning look at Yami. She closed the door behind her.
Atem had never felt so afraid in his life. He'd never wanted anyone outside of his family to see him this torn up. He wiped his wrist across his mouth and nose. He tried standing, but his knees felt too numb to support his weight. He angrily turned his head away from the approaching men.
Atem wiped his mouth and nose again. "Get out," he growled.
They didn't listen of course. Yugi took the lead. He crouched down by Atem's side and lifted his hand to touch his shoulder. It was smacked away so harshly, Yugi cradled the sore appendage to his chest. Yami's growl scared them both. His hand darted out and cuffed the back of Atem's t-shirt, dragging him like a rag doll to the other side of the room where there was less clutter. He dropped Atem and kicked him on his back.
Yugi quietly followed.
Atem hadn't attempted to fight back. His head lolled to the side like a lifeless lump, tears cascading across his eyes like a wet mask. Yugi kneeled next to him and shakily reached out. Yami grabbed his hand and together, fingers braided, they landed over Atem's heart.
The tune roared to life, thumping strong. Yugi hiccupped nervously and leaned forward. His other hand reached over for Atem's face. He tilted it around, stroking the defined lines on his angular face. Like the left, Yami's hand came around and covered Yugi's, using his thumb to clean away Atem's tears.
These vexing emotions drowned Atem so severely he couldn't speak. Yugi leaned in again and laid his lips on Atem's forehead. His lips touched his nose and then both Atem's eyes. Yami remained silent, catching Atem's wandering eyes every few seconds. He stared, blinking between Yugi and Yami as if he'd never seen them before.
Life stirred in Atem's body at last and he was raising his hands up. One palmed over where the bullet's pierced through Yami's torso and the other grasped around Yugi's neck, gently squeezing.
Atem sniffled as renewed tears leaked from his eyes. "I can't lose you again," he whispered. "My heart can't take it."
Yugi smiled through the tears coming from his own eyes. "I don't wanna lose you either," he returned in a shy rasp.
Yami's hands squeezed over Yugi's. He leaned down and in a rare show of affection, pressed his lips on Atem's cheeks and eyes. His fingers drummed over his rival's heart as the scowl on his face died away to something soft and bright as jewels.
It was Atem's undoing. He hooked his arms around Yami and Yugi's necks and snatched them down on top of him, snuggling his mouth into their hair, inhaling their scent and wrapping his legs around one of theirs.
He'd never say it out loud for as long as he lived. Never. He did love them; so much that his heart ached to imagine what life would have been like without them. His mind could process such a disastrous thought. There wouldn't be a life with either of them in it. Closing his eyes, he held on as if the two were his lifelines and they hugged him back.
They knew he loved them.
Three weeks later. . .
"Daddy, when can I come home? I'm tired of stayin' in bed!"
Atem closed his eyes. He will never tire of hearing her beautiful voice again. Atem screwed up his face because of the faint blush touching his cheeks. Yami was giving him that sneaky look out of the corner of his eye as he walked out of the kitchen with a plate of chips, and a roast beef sandwich. That look said what he knew exactly how Atem was feeling and he should've been over this sensitivity shit by now.
Time doesn't heal all wounds. Not so fast anyway. Atem cleared his throat and waved for Yami to leave the kitchen.
"Daddy?"
"I'm here, baby girl."
"Are you being kissy face with Yugi and Yami again?" Kisara stretched the last word so long, Atem had to laugh. "I matter too, Daddy! I deserve some love!"
"More than you'll ever know, suga'," Atem warmly teased. "When Dr. Hawkins gives you the all clear, Daddy's gonna be the first up there to pick you up." He'd think a little girl would be thrilled at the prospect of eating all the ice cream she could ever want.
Kisara's gusty sigh brought on a fit of coughs that sped Atem's heartbeat up for a moment. He'll never get use to hearing it. Doctor Hawkins said to expect months of prolonged coughing until her lungs learned to function evenly with the rest of her bodily functions. He gripped the phone's handle hard until Kisara's coughing subsided.
"I wanna come home," Kisara managed softly. "I don't wanna be here anymore." She went quiet a moment. "Teddy says he's sick of bein' here too. He miss playing with his friends."
Atem wanted her back home too, but at the expense of her health. "Give the phone to Dr. Hawkins." Atem knew the older man was there. He's been Kisara's constant companion, more so than the nurse staff because he'd taken a liking to the little girl.
"Dr. Hawkins speaking."
"Doc, you heard the girl. Give it to me straight. How much longer is it gonna be?"
"Another week, give or take. We can't rush these things young man," Dr. Hawkins said in a tone very similar to a father scolding his son. "When she's able to go twenty-four hours without oxygen assistance, I'll have her papers ready to process out. Even after that, Mr. Hassan, you'll have to follow a strict profile to maintain her health."
Atem nodded. He remembered everything the doctor told him since the first day. Regular physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises. Education sessions to learn a complicated new lifelong medication plan. Frequent check up appointments to the doctor. Regular tests of lung function, chest X-rays, blood tests, and bronchoscopy procedures. He'd read enough books to feel like he'd be able to diagnosis a few patients himself.
"I got'cha, Doc." Atem had nothing, but respect for the man who went out of his way to take care of Kisara. The few times he'd came face to face with the good doctor, Atem gave him a hard time, batting gazes with each other. Atem always relented first. He had nothing on a man who spent decades curing the sick and witnessing death. "Take care of her for me, will ya?"
"You needn't ask. She's in good hands." The phone hung up.
Atem returned the phone to its cradle, completely at ease and feeling as though a huge force lifted off his chest. He joined Yami in the living of his penthouse, snagging the other half of Yami's half-eaten sandwich and shoving a handful of chips in his mouth.
"Where's Yugi?" he asked after swallowing.
Yami stared at the television, lazily flipping channels. "In the bedroom with the old man. He got a phone call a few minutes ago. Said he wanted to talk to Solomon about it."
Atem frowned. "Who called him?"
Yami shrugged. "Tristan or one of his lil' friends." He suddenly snatched back his sandwich, one eye glaring at Atem like he'd contracted a disease. "Don't you need to be out?"
"Nah, Seth and Mahado are roamin' for me. They'll call if they had any trouble." Atem made show of propping his feet on the table and folding his arms behind his head, settling comfortably on the couch. "I'm traumatized remember?"
Yami rolled his eyes and bit into his sandwich. Why did he love this guy again?
Atem yawned loudly and flopped over, kicking his feet up over the side of the couch, laying his head on Yami's lap. The Red Eyes leader looked down at the cocky grin displayed at him. With a bored expression, Yami pushed Atem off the couch and crossed his legs, smirking in secret.
That's why.
Yugi stared at his cell phone as he slid the pad of his thumb across the screen. He snuggled up next to his grandfather's side and together, they watched the unfamiliar number fade away.
"I don't know what to say," Yugi whispered.
Solomon Muto patted his grandson's head. "I say go. If he has that kind of information, we're within our rights to know what he's on about."
"But what does he have to do with Heba? And why mention it now?"
Yugi was so confused. He'd woken up early in the morning to help his grandfather pack his clothe so they could return back home. The day after he'd been released from the hospital, he and Yami drove across town to retrieve Solomon and bring him to Atem's place until everything settled down in the city. Police were still combing the streets for anyone displaying symbols, codes, signs or anything advertising gang membership. Since Yami and Atem were stubborn as hell, refusing to remove their united purple hues, they had to stay indoors until the heat cooled off.
In the meantime, the school board ordered for all public and private schools all around to be closed until the city was fully cleansed of the damages. Yugi received phone calls from dozens of his friends from school, especially his entire baseball team, who all survived that horrible night. The coach called in to check in periodically and Yugi was grateful to hear Tristan's voice again. They'd worked out their differences to some degree, though the awkward air between them remained strained. It'd take time, but Yugi was confident they'd eventually blend into their old ways.
When Yugi thought he'd gotten the last call for the day, another came from an unidentified number. Yugi answered assuming it was one of the small children wondering when he'd return to the flower park. However, to his surprise, the caller turned out to be none other than Maxillion Pegasus, the city's famous millionaire.
What could he want with me? Was Yugi's first thought after the man introduced himself.
"I have something of yours that was supposed to be given years ago . . . from your brother."
"From Heba?"
"Yes. When you are able, come to my mansion sometime today."
"I don't know how to reach your home—"
"I don't expect you to come alone, Yugi Muto." Pegasus smoothing interrupted. "You'll bring the two fools with you as well and no other. It's of great importance."
The phone had hung up and still Yugi couldn't believe he'd just had a conversation with Pegasus. Go to his home? He had something from Heba? That was all the motivation Yugi needed, but he was hesitate to receive anything from his brother. Heba's involvement with so many others has caused nothing but drama. However, curiosity bloomed in Yugi's heart. A slight ache bloomed there too. Maybe this was his final chance. If he could find one piece of good from his brother, then Yugi could remember how great and amazing a big brother he was before.
With a firm nod, Yugi leaned into his grandfather and softly said, "I'm going."
Yugi felt Atem and Yami's stares drilling straight through him. He held their hands tighter when the two simultaneously tried to pull away. The entire story was told to them, not missing a single word. Their negative responses were expected. Atem, especially, didn't want to go.
"I'm not goin'," he fiercely declared, sharply pending Yugi with his harshest glare yet. "And you ain't goin' either. Pegasus must've grew his shit back to be askin' us to do anything, especially me. I got a pack waitin' for him in the back room."
Yugi faced Atem, desperate. "I want a chance to learn something else about my brother. All I've ever gotten is the negative."
"That's because that's all there is to him." Atem cupped the side of Yugi's face. "Look at me—look at me!" He demanded when Yugi stubbornly turned away. "We're movin' on from this. Heba is the past, our relationship is our only business." Atem moved his hand away and realized something. His eyes grew wide and gasped looking over at the forlorn gleam in Yami's eyes. "You want to go too, don't you?"
Yami sighed through his nose. "I need the closure. Pegasus knows something we don't. Didn't we always believe he was the one who hired Heba to kill us that night. If it's true, I want a chance to hear it from his mouth."
"Am I'm the only one sittin' here with some sense? Why would we want to mess up something good? We ain't benefittin' shit from this!"
"But there had to be a reason behind why. . . why he'd want to fuck up a good thing. We had something goin' for us."
"You two had something goin'. I hated his ass," Atem bitterly snapped. "And I still do. As far as it's concerned, this shit's settled. We aren't goin'. Simple."
Yugi stood up. Atem yanked him down on his lap.
"What did I say?"
Yugi frowned. "I'm going," he countered heatedly. "Wouldn't you want to know if there was some good left in your brother?"
"Hell nah. I'd kill his ass to keep the mystery."
"How sweet." Yugi thrashed until Atem released him. The teen turned and kneeled by Atem's thigh. "I don't expect you to feel the same as me or Yami. We have the opportunity to see what was going in my brother's head. What made my brother stupid enough to try and murder two people he cared for? Why would he get himself killed? What would he benefit—"
"Jesus, shut up!" Atem bit off. "Pegasus isn't gonna tell us anything new. Heba's a selfish bastard—"
Yugi snarled. "Why are you so against seeing if Heba wasn't as bad as you think?"
"Because," Yami started slowly. "If he discovers Heba really did care for him, Atem won't be able to live it down."
"I could give every fuck in the world about whether these asshole cared or not!" Atem punctuated each word with the wag of his finger. He shot up to his feet, snatching his keys off the counter. "This shit is stupid. We're gonna go to see Pegasus and after he shows us what I've been telling you all this time, I'm shooting him between the eyes and I don't want to hear Heba's name ever again!" Roughly opening the door, Atem stomped out, missing Yugi's relieved sigh and Yami's knowing smirk.
The ride Trinity Mansion wasn't entirely quiet. Get Back by Ludacris screamed so loud from the speakers Yugi felt the vibrations pushing through the soles of his shoes. Yugi leaned back against the leather seat and stared through the car window. Heading to seeing Pegasus, Yugi's mind stayed locked on the promise the older man made about Heba. He couldn't stop thinking about it, wondering what Heba could have possibly left behind for him. It was so strange. Heba knew he'd die, but how early on?
Yugi reached into the pocket of his baseball varsity athlete jacket and slouched against the car door, letting his temple rest on the air-conditioned glass. His obsession over his brother's past was going to give him hypertension. Maybe it was deeper than wondering what he left behind for Yugi. If he were being honest with himself as they drove down the winding path, he realized discovering Heba's final moments mattered most. Who did he think about when he died? What were his final thoughts? Did he suffer?
Did you care what would happen to me at all, Heba? Yugi mentally questioned.
The 2012 royal blue Cadillac rolled to a stop outside the Trinity Mansion double doors. Yugi remembered seeing magazine articles on this famous estate. It looked far bigger in person, grassy lawns stretching like a green sea, Greek statures positioned on every corner and a sparkling water spilling from a white marble fountain.
As odd as it sounded, Yugi felt as if he'd been here before. That wasn't possible. He was sure he'd remember if he'd ever been to a millionaire's home, but there was just something about this place.
"Come on," he heard Yami say.
Yugi filed in behind the two men as they stalked up the stone stairs. Duke Devlin stood outside the door, rolling a pair of white dice in his hand. He nodded at Yami and Atem and spared a quick smile at Yugi before escorting the trio inside.
"Same rules apply as it would if this were an annual meeting," Duke said evenly, walking up a spiral staircase. "No physical assaults, robbery, threats or killing allowed."
Atem snorted. "We'll see," he grumbled under his breath.
Duke shot a nasty green glare over his shoulder that said he was up for matching shots with the older man. The tour ended at the last room of the top floor.
"Wait here." Duke stepped inside first. Seconds later, he returned and motioned of everyone to come in. "I'll be outside, Boss."
Pegasus stood before his large window gazing over the span of his property. He waved his hand for Duke to leave them alone. When he left, that's when Pegasus met Yugi's eyes first. The teen stood frozen at the intensity in Pegasus's eyes.
Then, Pegasus was smiling at Yugi as if he found a long lost friend. "You've gone so much since I last saw you. You've surely outgrown looking like your brother." He took a seat behind his desk, gesturing for the trio to take the chairs set for them.
Yugi took his, but Atem and Yami remained standing, arms folded and back's straight.
"I won't waste your time with small talk. I asked for all of you to come to the reading of Heba Jeremiah Muto's Will."
"Will?" The three echoed suspiciously.
"Yes." Pegasus opened his top drawer to retrieve the folder with Heba's name planted on the tab. He hadn't reviewed these documents since the Heba's death. This should have been done sooner, but now is a good as time as any. "Do all of you agree to attend the reading of the Will?" he questioned, stacking three separate stacks of papers.
Atem shared a look with Yugi and Yami, before consenting.
"Very well." Pegasus pulled out a pair of reading glasses and began the reading.
Last Will and Testament
Of
Heba Jeremiah Muto
I, Heba Jeremiah Muto, residing at 9716 Game Stream Blvd, Domino City, Georgia, 30003, do hereby make, publish and declare this to be My Last Will and Testament and hereby revoke any and all Wills and Codicils at any time heretofore by me.
Being of sound, mind and in the presence of witnesses, I hereby bequeathed all of my directed intentions as follows.
I direct that all my of the expenses of my funeral and burial (or cremation) be paid out of my estate in such an amount as my Personal Representative, Maxillion Pegasus, may deemed proper and without regard to any limitation in the applicable law or rule of court as the amount of such expenses without the necessity of court approval.
I direct that (a) all of my precious valuables, financial and/or sympathetic values, inheritance, succession, other death taxes, beneficial interest in all property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, (including joint checking and saving accounts in any bank or savings, which is registered or held at the time of my death be bequeathed to the following.
To Yugi Samuel Muto, my beloved, kind spirited baby brother, forever to have a heart more precious than any earth born riches, I leave to you one half of the contracted wages due to me totaling fifty million dollars and zero cents.
To Solomon Muto, gentle loving, paternal guardian of my life, someone who has worked his bones into raising two rowdy boys, I leave to you five percent of the contracted wages due to me, totaling five million dollars and zero cents.
To Yami Sennen, my lover, my live, the burn to my spark, the pulse in my body, and eyes filled with eternal flames more beautiful and brilliant than a horizon, I leave to you ten percent of the contracted wages due to me totaling ten million dollars and zero cents.
To Atem Gabriel Hassan, my lover, the rage to my fire, the fight in my spirit and radiance unmatched by any and the kind of loyalty I was blessed receive, I leave to you ten percent of the contracted wages due to me ten percent of the contracted wages due to me totaling ten million dollars and zero cents.
To the unborn child of Atem and my own unborn child, whom both I shall never see but shall have my love now and after, I leave to you both the remaining quarter of the contracted wages due to me totaling twenty-five million dollars and zero cents. Twelve million and five hundred thousand dollars and zero cents shall be divided between the two children.
To all mentioned in my will, I leave the purchased estates in Atlanta, Georgia; Stone Hedge Vale and Magnolia Ridge Estates, to the ownership of Yugi Samuel Muto, Yami Sennen, Atem Gabriel Hassan, both unborn children and Solomon Muto.
If any of the listed adult individuals fail to survive me, their shares and inheritance shall be bestowed upon the two unborn children.
This had been the hardest experience of any of their lives. Yugi clasped the collar of his jacket and the hem, closing the cotton and leather tight around his body. His heartbeat reached racecar speeds, his chest felt hollow and his throat clogged so thickly, he panted whole breaths through his mouth. Fifty million dollars. An estate in Atlanta. And—and . . .
"My God," Yugi weakly croaked as his hand covered his mouth. His brother had a child, one that hadn't been born yet. But who? When? Where? And where was the child now? Tremors traveled throughout his body in chill trembles. Mixed emotions, anger, excitement, sadness were the most prominent.
Pegasus folded the his eyeglass temples in. He'd expected these responses and was grateful to see the true, raw effect Heba's final words had on the three. Atem closed himself off from everyone staring off into the distance, hands shoved deep in his jean pockets. When Pegasus faced Yami next, to his utter shock, there were sparkling tear trails rolling down his cheeks. It seemed, those final words were able to offer him the closure he so desperately craved.
Yugi shuddered, doubled over as he bit back the harsh sobs in his chest. "Where is the child?"
Pegasus inwardly smiled at the bright glow in Yugi's eyes after learning the sex of the baby. "With a caretaker in Savannah, Georgia. She's just around Kisara's age, give or take a couple of months."
"Why hadn't Heba told anyone about her?"
"Heba wasn't certain the child was his until the night he left with Atem and Yami. By then, it hadn't mattered."
Yami sucked in hard and clenched his fists at his sides as if they weighed a ton. He sniffled and glared at Pegasus in the eyes. "That night, what happened? Tell us the truth!"
Atem finally revealed his watery gaze from beneath his banes. "I demand to know too."
Pegasus rubbed the space between his eyes and leaned back in his leather chair, threading his fingers before him. "You were getting too strong. When Yami's takeover of the Red Eyes was reported to me, in the beginning, I saw it as an opportunity to gain full control over the city's crime rate. I hadn't expected you two to join forces. Your strength had far surpassed mine with six months of your reign. Heba was hired around the time Yami became the new O.G. Heba's job was to infiltrate one of your gangs and learn as much information as he could, keeping track of your progression. Naturally, the lad wouldn't take such a dangerous employment for free."
Pegasus closed his eyes, taken back to that day years ago. "He and I signed a contract for one hundred million dollars. The plan was foolproof. I'd only wanted to extinguish your power from the inside. However, it hadn't been enough. You were still too powerful to control . . . and so. . . I ordered for your immediate assassination. Heba intervened. He said he'd do the job, but only if certain conditions were met. I was to take Yugi and his grandfather as far away from the city as possible on the night Yami and Atem were to die. I bought a Tahoe for Heba's use. He said he'd take care of the job on the edge of Domino. I hadn't realized my mistake until the last minute. Heba's contract stated in the event of his death he was automatically guaranteed the full amount instead of the quarterly allotment he would have received. I'd been blind to his plans and rushed out to stop him."
Atem's eyes widened as realization dawned on him. "You killed him didn't you? That night I heard the gunshot, it was you?"
Pegasus gravely nodded.
Yugi closed his eyes tight. "You took him away . . . you killed my brother."
"But why would he try to kill us?" Yami angrily snarled. "He betrayed us and you're saying it was all for money?"
Pegasus shook his head. "No, Heba was suffering a deeper wound that none of you could ever understand. You see, Heba discovered he was diagnosed with lung cancer."
"What?" Yugi gasped. "Noooo," he groaned miserably, covering his face. "No, no, no. Not my brother—"
"When?" Atem hissed. "He didn't—no one knew? He didn't say a word!"
"Oh my God." Yami swayed until his feet gave way and he lowered to the floor.
Pegasus looked at the mourning trio in turn and went on to explain. "Heba learned from his coach that he couldn't play baseball professionally. The cancer had spread too far. He came to me and broke down in my office. I'd never seen a man look so fallen. He cried about losing his life, the new love he found, and the care for his family . . . I realized his true intentions to late. Heba was never going to kill either of you, but he couldn't bear any of you knowing about his condition—"
"So he decides to get himself killed instead of telling anyone? Especially me!" Yugi shot up to his feet and slammed his hands on the surface of Pegasus's desk. "Didn't he think about me at all? I would have been there, something could have been done! They have treatment for cancer patients, why didn't he—oh God, Heba, why? Big brother why?" Yugi lolled from the desk and thought he'd fall on the floor, but found himself incased in Atem's warm embrace.
Years of pent up confusion and anger finally revealed itself. Yugi screamed, he howled, he cried for all of those lost years as a child pining for the return of his brother. There was another presence pressed into him. Atem was holding Yami too and Yami silently wept with Yugi for the future that would never be. Atem held them both and listened and did his best to have the strength the two would need.
Yugi lifted his head from Atem's chest and sniffled. "I. . . I want my niece. Where is she?"
"I cannot grant you full custody of the child until after your graduation."
"Then give her to me," said Yami, rubbing under his nose. "I'm of age. I'll take care of her."
Pegasus sadly shook his head. "Your criminal record prevents you from taking custody of any child. The child's best interests will be best in Yugi's hands. It'll be his choice whether you two are allowed in her lives."
"I love them," Yugi said without missing a beat. "Of course I want them in her life."
"Then it's settled. I'll have her brought to Domino one week after your graduation. By then you'll have a full month to see if caring for a child is what you want."
"I know it is. She's the only piece of my brother left." Yugi laid his head on Atem's chest and waved his hand out until Yami grabbed it. "What's her name? Is she healthy? Who is her mother?"
"She's very healthy. As far as who her mother is, Heba didn't want anyone to know. And her name, well, I'll let her tell you that when you see her."
"What about a picture?"
Pegasus calmly smiled. "The same applies. You'll see her and learn her name two months from now."
So far away. Yugi tightened his lips together, but didn't fight it. He was too drained to fight. He'd probably need the two months to recover mentally and physically from his slashed throat.
Atem nudged his two lovers towards the exit. Without a silent nod to Pegasus, he guided them out the door. Neither spoke or maybe didn't have the energy to at first. Yugi gained a little when they stepped out the front door.
"You were right, Atem."
"About what?"
Yami stalled to stare up at the clear blue sky. "Heba being a selfish bastard," he finished for Yugi. "A crazy ass, selfish bastard."
"Yeah, I know." Atem still hated that bastard. Despite the warmth his name now brought to his chest, he still hated him.
TBC: No I haven't forgotten about Yusei and Jaden.