"Ah!" yelled Yugi as he stared at the strange blond teen that had Ryou tied up.
"Hahahahahah!"
"Jono you're a dead man!" said Akefia dangerously as the blond teen quickly untied the cat. Ryou ran straight into Akefia's arms whimpering and snuggling his long absent lover, Akefia copying his moves.
"Uhh…"
The lovers glanced at Yugi and left the room. Yugi asked dumbfounded, "Jono? Is that you?"
The blond, Jono, sheepishly smiled and nodded. Yugi stayed in bed until he felt arms wrap around his waist; he squealed then almost punched Atem in the gut.
"Little One," the king breathed.
Yugi leaned into the hug and sighed, "Yami."
Snow covered the ground of Domino and at six in the morning it was the crispy sparkles of the alabaster frozen water was not appreciated. Yugi sat in the kitchen where it was abuzz with activity. Atem had brought along everyone for today. It was winter break at school, so Yugi did not mind and his grandpa had been in on the surprise; he sat at the table reading the newspaper, peering at his grandson.
Isis and Mahad were with their girls making breakfast, as Jono sat with Shizuka in the living room and were happily chatting away. Hiroto went back to bed and Marik hovered in and out of the kitchen.
Ryou and Akefia sat on the loveseat cuddling each other as the cat told his lover of all the new things he had seen. Atem told Yugi that Prince Noah would be joining them later in the morning.
"Okay."
"Little One," Atem said concerned, "are you weary? I know Jono gave you a scare, but that is just his jovial childishness. He usually is more practical."
"Hhmm…no it's not that. Why are you guys here so early?"
"Princess Yugi," said Mahad, "we could hardly sleep last night. The King was bouncing everywhere saying "Tomorrow is coming," which in turn made us excited. The palace has been so quiet without my children and Akefia could not contain his longing for Ryou. No one had the patience to wait."
Atem seemed bashful, and said, "I came up with the idea to surprise you all. Mai is not a morning bird, so she is coming later too."
Yugi giggled and nuzzled Atem's neck. Grandpa made a noise, but Atem did not care. He had not touched his Little One in weeks and this time was precious; they had to leave at midnight sharp if Seth would not lecture him on being out and leaving him with his duties.
8888888888
"Mama, hurry, we can't be late," shouted Mana.
"My girl, I believe we're leaving early enough for the movie trailers," said Mahad, being pulled by his energetic daughter. Isis stood behind her husband, with Ishizu and Marik holding her arms. They were not as enthusiastic as Mana, but they did want to get to the show.
"Love, our babies won't listen, just go along and follow the hyper one."
"Mama!"
It's true. We don't let you eat candy because you don't need any more sugar.
Ishizu nodded. Isis glanced at Mahad and they gave each other a knowing look. Then Mahad looked at the shoe boxes his children were carrying. "Why do you have those boxes?"
The siblings froze. Ishizu spoke up, "Their confessions…"
"From whom?"
Various admirers. Marik smirked. And a few threats.
The couple raised their brows; this would wait until after the movie.
888888888
Domino Museum of Cultural History was rampant with tourists because of its new exhibit, "Treasures of the Etruscans."
Ryou stood in line with all the other excited patrons wanting to see the mysterious culture of the people before the Romans. The cat on the other hand was not as enthused as he should have been, especially with an enraged Akefia standing next to him. Right after breakfast he had planned to go to the museum with his lover, but he had to dump that bag of admirers' notes, all from girls.
The ex-thief was angry was an understatement. He was furious any one tried to be intimate with his Ryou, now he glared devilishly to every female and male present. Ryou sulked a little, but soon knew the two of them would be submerged in history, and Akefia's ferocity would lessen as the day passed.
Ryou hugged him and smiled.
"Aky, you are the only one for me," he said sweetly, "the girls at school scare me too much, and especially Miho, but she likes Hiroto now."
"Kitten, I still don't like it. I can't claim you as mine here, and we're getting strange looks from those personnel already. Damn, if only I was younger, then they wouldn't give a second blink."
"Yeah," Ryou rubbed his face in his lover's chest, "I know."
88888888888
"Honda-san, Honda-san," yipped a high pitched voice.
Hiroto went wide eyed. His superiors and crush were enjoying a second lunch at Burger World, a fine eatery in his opinion, and the one girl he had been avoiding since she left Ryou, was there, entering through the double doors. She had bright purple hair, and aqua colored eyes, wearing designer jeans and a plaid jacket with a beret.
"Hiroto, I think that girl's talkin' to ya," said Jono bemused. Mai and Shizuka giggled. Mai's wings were hidden with a harness, and Jono looked like Shizuka did, a normal human teenager.
Hiroto slowly looked around to see Miho coming towards him.
"….hi, Miho-san."
"Miho so glad to see you."
Jono almost choked on his drink holding back the laughter that needed to escape. Hiroto sighed, and reluctantly invited Miho to join them. It was going to be a long day.
88888888
Yugi and Atem were at the park losing a snowball fight quickly. Prince Noah and his guardians pelted snowballs in formulaic rates, which Atem, even being the Shadow Realm's King, could not repeat against the Prince of the North. It was also unfair for him to have a weapons' specialist on his side.
"Good one, now all wese need to do is get the buggers straight in the face," Valon said. He had trouble crouching because in human form his legs were bent backwards, but Alistair helped him balance, as Noah and Raphael gathered snow and made perfect orbs.
Yugi was panting as the melted slush dripped off his coat. Atem was in no better shape. His pride was on the line and he would not lose and have his wife pay for hot chocolate, which he still wondered what it was.
"Yugi, you sneak around the corner, hide in the bushes, when I come out start throwing all these," Atem pushed two dozen snowballs into Yugi's hands.
"Uhhh…."
"Go now."
The boy ran…straight into no man's land.
Noah shot one snowball at his head and the fight was won by the North.
"Good…one," Yugi huffed. It was the most intense snowball fight he had witnessed.
At the café, the four beings stared at their cups of hot chocolate skeptically.
"What's wrong?"
"Erm…I didn't think "hot chocolate" would be a beverage," said Alistair, eyeing it oddly.
"Oh, well what were you guys expecting?" Yugi asked the table.
"I thought it was chocolate that was warm," said Noah, curiously picking at his drink.
Yugi grinned and sipped at his, knowing the others were watching.
"Hhmm, delicious."
The table dug in.
SR
"Argh! I hate him. I hate that frigging lazy—"
"Seth!"
"I'm sorry," he said absently to Kisara, "this is just ridiculous how my cousin leaves me with extra work and no one's here to help. They all left for the human world."
Kisara sighed; she leaned into her cantankerous husband and hugged his neck.
"We must remember this ordeal was not easy for Atem or Shadi. Yugi by human standards is still a child and must complete his studies as such. And Shadi's misplaced guilt has not waned, my dearest," Seth opened his mouth, but Kisara placed her finger on his lips, "And the children can't go on without seeing their families. Akefia has not been parted from Ryou for so long, and the same goes for Ryou. Seth, we must have patience."
"Hmm," said Seth, "you have complete faith in the boy's decision to stay. Yugi has the say so to end the marriage at any point, you don't think once he understands the complications of his status and being that he'll run."
"Has he given you that impression?"
"No. He is a strong boy, I…just worry he'll leave when he knows the truth about why he has so many guardians. Also, about the war with Zorc."
"I know," she breathed in Seth's scent and decided to change the mood, "For revenge on Atem—"
"Yes?"
"—do you want to do it on his desk?"
"Of course, but once I am done filing."
"Of course."
HW
"Kaiba's throwing a charity ball next weekend, so I was…wondering if you want to be my date."
"Yes!" Atem grabbed Yugi off the sidewalk. It was four in the afternoon and they had all reconvened at the Kame Game Shop. Atem and Noah's party had not entered the shop yet as he squeezed his Yugi and spun him around. He would get to dance with him!
Then he stopped. He placed Yugi back on the sidewalk, "You said next weekend?"
"Yeah," Yugi said, "why?"
"Yugi, I am not supposed to be in the human world for long periods of time. Only on special conditions, like your guardians and Noah are they able to stay. Seth has told you about the Angels," he said as he opened the door for everyone to enter.
"Yes," Yugi replied.
"Our realm was made to keep us safe from the humans and vice versa, but many of us would sneak out to see them. That is why you have so many tales of our people, but the Angels of Limbo and Saints of the First Book made a deal for us to come into your world…"
"And depending on how strong you are, your time is limited," Yugi finished.
"Exactly," Atem bit his lips, "Because Ryou has no abilities, he can stay here forever, and the others are still young and have reached their full powers yet. They can stay with the bands on their magic and the charms to hide them. I would have to leave within the hour to be able to see you at the ball."
The boy lowered his head. He wanted Atem to stay longer and talk to him about the marriage. Yugi felt he was falling for the king if not head over heels in love.
"Do you mind ending today early?"
Atem hugged him, "Yes, I do."
From behind he could sense his friends' disappointment and sorrow. Since they were all powerful beings, they had to leave at the same time. Noah was the most displeased. Atem buried his face into Yugi's hair, the life of a royal had troubles along with the perks.
We can just see all of you at the ball.
"Yeah," agreed Hiroto, "it's not like we're invited. Me and Shizuka are crashing it."
"Why weren't you two invited?" asked Mai.
Because they are not duelist, neither is Ishizu but that jerk "tolerates" her. Asshole.
"Marik, language! Who is this man holding the ball?"
Mana answered her mother, "Seto Kaiba."
The room went silent. They had heard the name before.
"Hey, Yug, isn't it that guy ya said looked like Seth?"
Yugi nodded. "I've been training them to play Duel Monsters and Kaiba said he saw some worthwhile in them. He's the CEO of Kaiba Corp."
"Which is some kind of gaming factory," answered Ryou at last. The two lovers had been quiet throughout this conversation. Akefia held onto his kitten for as long as possible not wanting to let go.
"Oh," is all Atem could mutter.
The parties agreed to leave and save time for the ball. Noah got in, even to Alistair's protests. In the meantime, the children told their caretakers about high school.
They had found out that the student body was quite taken with the exotic attractiveness the Ishtars had and how every boy fawned over Shizuka like lost sheep. Marik was proud to boast all the fights he and Hiroto had been in and the threatening cards they received for so called "messing with the wrong gang."
Ryou had told Akefia that there was a flourish of girls who followed him and would not leave him alone. This confession almost made the Dungeon Master homicidal, but he calmed knowing Ryou was not at all flattered by the flimsy attempts of a few harlots. Akefia kissed him chastely.
Jono was not so happy to hear boys bothering his little sister, but Hiroto assured him of the boys not getting past him.
At five on the dot, the parties left. Yugi stood by Atem at the portal.
"I'll miss you."
"Do not fret," said Atem, "we'll see each other soon."
Yugi kissed his husband good bye.