A/N: Are you prepared for sappy romance? I hope so, because this is fluffy beyond fluffy cuteness coming straight at you! Don't worry, a very long epilogue I decided to split into chapters follows this, and there's some more physical romance for those of you who like limier stuff ;) But! This chapter is my attempt at being fluffy and romantic; I hope you enjoy it!
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE RECENTLY REVIEWED: I owe you all a huge apology! You see, has been a little glitchy lately, and because of the email server I use, it turned off all my alerts. Consequently, I didn't realize until I looked up my own story and read the reviews that I discovered I had recieved some! I was so sad to have missed them, and since I don't remember which ones I last replied to, I am unable to reply to the ones for the last couple chapters :( Many apologies, the problem has been fixed, and if you review (which I hope you do) I will be sure to respond ~!
Disclaimer: Not Mine!
"Guys!" Anzu cried, embarrassed but happy as her friends took picture after picture of her. They had dragged her back into one of the old prep rooms which housed a dusty old dresser, a table in slightly better shape, and not much else.
Marik was standing off to one side, smirking at her friend's antics, but he didn't complain or say a word, obviously proud in his own way.
"Save some of the film for Miho," she teased, gesturing to the equally beautiful girl who was also still wearing her finale outfit, her straight purple hair draped over her shoulder in a high ponytail as she giggled over Honda's flattery.
"I already used all of mine on her," he boasted, kissing her cheek to make her giggle some more happily. Anzu smiled, happy to see her friends so happy.
"Alright, alright, let's let the dancers have some space," Jounouchi finally said, tucking his own camera away as he smiled at both Miho and Anzu, giving a little nod in Marik's direction as well.
Yuugi congratulated all three of them yet again before skipping out the door with Jounouchi.
Honda asked Miho if she'd like to go for a drink with him, and she agreed whole heartedly, following him out the door happily.
Almost immediately after, Ryou opened the door, closing it firmly behind him as he leaned against it, brown eyes wide and fearful. When Marik raised an eyebrow at the tousled appearance of his white hair and the way his shirt hung open a little in the front, he simply said in a traumatized tone, "Fan girls."
Marik growled slightly, looking irritable.
"They really need to realize that you're gay," he huffed, though the proud look on his face didn't budge, Anzu noticed. Ryou laughed, slinking forward to wrap his arms around his partner's waist in a warm hug.
"And that I'm crazy about someone else," he muttered in his ear. Anzu looked away quickly pretending not to hear. Marik rolled his eyes at her truly terrible acting.
"You're going to make me soft if you keep that up," he grumbled instead, pushing Ryou away a bit. It didn't seem to bother him at all, as he took his hand instead. He knew Marik was just embarrassed after being caught making out earlier before the performances by Anzu.
She was quiet now, staring at the floor with a small slightly sad smile on her face. Of course, she was happy that they had done so well, but the happiness was a little bland when she considered who wasn't there to see it. The most important person...Yami.
"Hey, you did good, stop beating yourself up," Marik told her firmly, and she looked up in surprise. That was maybe the third time he had ever complimented her directly, though he avoided her gaze as usual to pretend as though it hadn't happened.
"I'm glad we worked together, it was a great semester," she said simply, and then walked over to hug both boys as cheerfully as she could manage. Always trying to look stronger than she is, Marik thought, although perhaps that is a strength in and of itself.
It was also a crippling disability at times.
He blushed at her embrace when she slung her arms around both him and Ryou, burying her face in his chest.
"Come on, I want a picture," Ryou exclaimed, pulling back and backing away a couple steps. Anzu sighed dramatically, but threw her arms around Marik's chest and neck with a big smile on her face. Marik was blushing a little and looking away stubbornly, but a tiny smile flickered around his lips delicately.
Ryou raised the camera, looking at them on the screen and willed his fingers to push the button –but he couldn't.
"I can't do it," he sighed, dropping the camera.
"Why not?" Marik asked bluntly, glancing down at Anzu suspiciously. She glared a bit, but figured it wasn't wise to get between him and his lover. Marik was, if nothing else, incredibly possessive.
"You two just look too cute together, it makes me jealous," Ryou pouted, folding his arms, his expression the essence of childish irritation. Marik looked at Anzu again, this time with alarm on his face as he quickly removed her arms from his vicinity.
She rolled her eyes, but laughed at the hot footed reaction. She knew he must really care a lot about Ryou.
"Is that better?" He asked, stalking over to his boyfriend who grinned impishly.
"Much!" He chirped, raising the camera quickly to snap a picture of Marik's sweet almost-concerned, almost-flirtatious expression.
"Ryou..." He growled, blinking the flash from his eyes.
"Delete that," he ordered and Anzu laughed as Ryou hid the camera behind his back guiltily.
"No," he said, scampering over to the corner of the room so he could hoard his treasure protectively while checking out the picture.
"Oh, Marik-chan you look so cute!" He cried happily, and Marik actually twitched for a moment, shutting down before shaking his head vigorously.
"Ch-chan?" He stammered outraged. "I am not cute!" Crossing the room he picked Ryou up easily with one hand like a helpless kitten, tugging at the camera he held to his chest tightly.
"Delete it!"
"Never!"
"Delete it!"
"Never!"
They were just like a pair of arguing six year olds, Anzu just had to giggle. Marik was throwing a tantrum while Ryou pouted, and she could only laugh helplessly.
When her laughs stopped rather abruptly, Marik turned around warily, hearing the door open just a little too late. Standing there was Mutou-san, a bundle wrapped in plastic in his arms as he looked inside doubtfully.
Behind him stood Miho-chan who peeked in, took a look at the three still in there, and then bolted, running for her dear life. By the end of this Yami, Marik or Anzu was going to want to kill her for leading him to the room where she knew Anzu still was.
He wouldn't have had a chance at finding her in the maze of back rooms and hallways the auditorium had to offer on his own. Anzu looked determinedly at the floor, once again feeling the backlash of tears shutting her throat.
She was sure she'd start crying if she looked at him. Why was he here now when he'd already made it clear he didn't want to be? Had she bothered to look, she would have seen Marik glaring furiously at the older man.
"Ryou could you...?" He asked gently, and Ryou nodded with understanding, giving him a quick kiss before edging out of the room quietly. He understood that whatever was going on with the trio inside was complicated and had nothing to do with him.
Marik also knew it might not be pretty, and didn't want to put Ryou in a spot where he had to choose between friends.
"I came and saw you perform. It was spectacular," Yami said simply in the silence that followed his leaving, the door swinging half way shut. He didn't bother closing it. She looked so sad...he wanted to touch her face and stroke away that ugly expression, replace it with the happiness he saw on stage.
"It was spectacular," Marik agreed his harsh voice cutting through the air like a whip. "You know the only thing that would have made it better? If she had been able to smile a little more during it." Yami winced, shooting him a half heartedly angry look. After all he did sort of deserve it.
"You've already said your piece to me earlier, she doesn't need to hear your foul language spiel again," he said coldly and Marik only stepped closer, not backing down.
"Why so you can water it down and make it seem alright?" The tension between them mounted, making the air seem heavy to breath. Marik side glanced once at Anzu, who refused to even look at the arguing pair, seeming lost as she stared into space with a hurt expression on her face.
When he looked back at Yami, the eye of Horus was beginning to flicker to life on his forehead dangerously. Marik didn't want to push him too far, not wanting him to pass out again, or then he'd never make proper amends with Anzu.
And despite every cold accusation he had made, the guilt nibbling ever so gently on his insides betrayed that even though the performance was officially over, this had, in the end, been entirely for his friend Anzu, not for a mark or to benefit himself.
"Fucking pathetic excuse for a man," he spat giving him a cold condescending glare before walking out and slamming the door behind him. Outside the door, Ryou was still standing there looking nervous.
"Are you sure that was smart?" He asked, and Marik just sighed wrapping his arms around him with a contemplating look on his face.
"I'm not sure, but he looked pretty sorry to me. At least he showed up, I was starting to have my doubts...now we can just wait."
...
Inside the room Yami stared at her broken expression in pain. He deserved every insult Marik had hurled at him tonight. How could he have hurt her in such an avoidable way? He almost started to beat himself up again, but feeling the seductive tentacles of depression clawing at his mind, he pushed them away desperately. He didn't have time to feel sorry for himself.
"You know, Marik called me earlier this evening," he said aloud, putting down his package as he tucked his hands into his pockets. Moving over to lean against the table, he decided to talk anyways even though she didn't appear to be listening.
"He said...well, you can imagine what he said, you just got a small taste of it. I explained a little of why I wasn't here to him, though I doubt he passed it on. I guess the truth is...I get depressed. At least once a year, though usually more often, on June fourteenth...today...this was the day I got my own body. Three years ago, I separated from Yuugi. Without my hikari to balance me, the darkness seeps in, not only when I use shadow magic for judgment games, but even when I don't. The depression finds me and kicks me when I'm down so to speak, especially after a recent judgment. I should have known better, so close to the three year anniversary not to abuse my power, but as you know I kind of lost it with that man. You were able to lift me and keep me out of the abyss for awhile, but the closer I came to the date the farther I slid into it...the more I think about it, the more I hate myself for what I do. For what I have to do. I disgust even myself," he said voice rich with sorrow.
She looked up, eyes shining with unshed tears, though they glossed over her red tinted irises.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She whispered, stepping closer automatically. He reached out a hand and took hers in his, unable to stand being apart anymore. These last couple of days had been so painful; he didn't ever want to think about such things ever again.
"I guess I wasn't exactly in my right space of mind," he said with a tiny sheepish smile, "I also didn't want to worry you...I didn't want you to cry over me. I'm not worth it."
As soon as the words left his mouth she stepped so that she was right in front of him, and lifted her hand, pressing it to his cheek is the softest slap she could manage.
"Don't say that or I will cry," she threatened, her voice thick with tears that promised to spill over with any more provocation.
"I told you before and I'll tell you again, I love you more than anyone else. If you're not worth it, than no one is," she continued firmly, caressing his cheek softly now. "I should have known...I mean you told me before that you got depressed. I'm just glad that Marik talked you into coming."
"I'm glad I came, it was a million times more refreshing than getting dead drunk on my own and then sleeping it off for a couple days. It's the first time I've broken my tradition. But your dancing was..." He trailed off, going into a daze again before clearing his throat. He released her hand so that he could reach over to pick up the suspiciously cone-shaped package he had laid down when he entered.
"I asked around, and I was told the proper way to thank a performer who has done exceptionally well...and to beg forgiveness from a woman you have offended...is to give her roses," he said, pressing the bouquet into her arms. Her eyes grew huge as she stared down at the flowers which gave off a wonderful aroma as she held them closer.
"These are really for me?" She gasped, staring at him with lips slightly parted. She looked so beautiful still in her dance finale costume, perfectly made up, and complete with a small natural flush to her cheeks as she sniffed her present again contentedly.
He was so grateful that she had lost that broken look he actually laughed, crimson eyes glinting down at her suggestively.
"You can have a kiss to if you really want," he half-teased, pulling her into his arms with the flower cradled between them.
"I really want," she responded eagerly, and he chuckled again, kissing her sweetly for a moment, tilting the bouquet up in her arms.
"Maybe you should take a closer look," he whispered as their lips separated for a moment. She looked down curiously, noticing for the first time the differently shaped white petals that were interspersed between the many gorgeous blood red roses.
Brushing aside some of the perfect roses, she realized the white flowers were white Singapore orchids that had been cut and tucked in secretly among the other flowers. On the flat harder surfaces of their petals was black kanji on every flower that read: I will not ignore my heart.
She squealed out loud, putting the flowers down on the desk immediately so that she could grab him and squeeze him as tightly as she wanted without risking crushing the beautiful heartfelt gift. He tucked her chin and kissed her romantically for a long moment before pulling away again with a contented noise as she snuggled back into his chest, holding her body as close as she could to his.
"Anzu?" He whispered in her ear, and she made a sound of recognition, and then shivered as he nuzzled his lips against her neck, making her weak in the knees in the he-just-swept-me-off-my-feet kind of way. What a nice change. Her head was still sort of spinning from all the surprises.
"I won't ignore my heart anymore. I love you."
A/N: So...cute? Horrible? Blindingly fluffy? Let me know, I'd really appreciate it! The next part of the super long epilogue is coming at you next week, so don't forget about this story just yet!
Here's a preview for the next chapter:
"You are my boyfriend, and you are not going to use the excuse of being my teacher to get out of taking me to prom. You're back in school for at least another year before you can go back on co-op so don't act like it'll tarnish your reputation. Not to mention, prom is after graduation so you won't be my teacher. Besides, it's not like Masahashi-sensei doesn't already know."
Only one word needed to describe this epilogue: PROM. Enjoy! xD