(A/N)This is my first story in a long while. I worked really hard on this and hope you guys like it. Give me your thoughts on each chapter because I'm hoping this story will take me while. I want to take my time and create something people will like even if this is their first time reading.

(S/N)This has no character bashing and though this is a puzzleshipping story, somewhere down the line I would like to introduce puppyshipping. Also because of the relationship between the characters in this story, Bakura's name is just that. Bakura. Not Ryou.

Please enjoy!

What happens when poor Yugi is sick and refuses to leave his home in Domino? Only the weirdest of things possible of course! Why the sudden weirdness you ask? Oh just a cute smile and a big crush.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Yu-Gi-Oh! characters.

Absent: The START!

Today was Friday, but not just any Friday, it was the Friday before school was let out for the whole summer. It was such a beautiful day, but someone wasn't at school today. No, it looks like they were absent.

"Yugi Mutou?" the teacher called, but no answer. Yami looked around to where his friend usually sat in the row in front of him just to see that he wasn't there. Then with a confused look he propped his hand under his chin and leaned on it with his elbow on the desk. 'I wonder what happened to Yugi, it's not like him to miss class without warning' Yami thought to himself. Yugi had missed classes in the past, due to his parents visiting from out-of-town. Yugi lived with his grandfather in the Kame Game shop while his parents went on Archaeological finds in Egypt. He traveled with them as a child but as he got older he decided to settle in with his grandfather for school. His parents came now and then when they had a chance to spend time with him and see how he was doing. Yugi would usually let all of his friends know, especially Yami, or Joey. Today, today was different because no one has heard a thing from him.

"Mr. Sennen." his teacher spoke, as he turned to focus on the board, the class seemed to be staring at him. It didn't take long for class to end. As Yami grabbed his belongings, he stepped outside the classroom to see his friends coming down the hallway.

"Hey, Yami. What's up man, how's first period treatin' ya?" Joey laughed down the hall. He didn't expect to be taken seriously as he was only joking to lighten the mood of all his friends. It was himself, Tristan, Tea, Bakura, Seto and Duke who had come to school today.

"Not bad, considering we've only got three more periods today before school lets out for the summer." He replied

"Mmh... finally! Aren't you guys excited? Tests are over and we can relax for a while." Tea yawned with a huge smile. She was pretty excited about summer. She had already signed up for dance camp.

"I am, just a little worried is all... Yugi didn't come to school." Yami spoke a little upset. His eyes blank from the boredom of the day. Seto smirked.

"Don't sulk too much, you might ruin your jacket." He laughed as he remembered Yami getting tear stains on his old school jacket the time he accidentally threw out a picture of him and Yugi from New Years Eve, that he later found on the floor in his closet. Yami figured it must have gotten in there when he knocked over the trash can in his room while his closet door was open. He had began to cry when he thought it was gone forever. Yami glared at Seto, his cousin had become such a nuisance ever since he found out about his secret.

"I'm sure Yugi is fine." Bakura smiled as he saw the distress on Yami's face. "If your that worried, you should call him."

Soon the school day was over. All the teachers were saying their farewells to students and reminding them of their summer studies and requirements for the next semester. The students were leaving the building and talking about their summer plans and what they were going to do, and where they were going to go. As for Yami, he knew exactly what his first activity for summer was. He pulled out his cell phone and called Yugi to see why he hadn't come to school.

"He.. hello.." Yugi answered in a congested voice on the other end.

"Are you alright? You hadn't come to school today." Yami practically yelled into the phone before calming himself to prepare for his friend's response.

"I'm really sick.. I'm sorry Yami, I know I should have told you but I couldn't even get up this morning." Yugi spoke still congested and apologetic. He didn't mean to make his friend worry about him. He knew Yami hadn't focused on anything all day.

"It's okay Yugi, I'm coming to see you of course." Yami said as he made his way towards his friend's home only four blocks away from the school.

"No! I.. mean... you don't have to.. its fine. You should hang out and have fun." Yugi hurried his words. They seemed to come out all at once. Yami arched an eyebrow to this sudden speed in conversation. He wondered what the reason for Yugi's evasiveness was.

"I'm coming." Yami said in a calm voice. More dominant this time. He ended the call on his cell phone. His eyes narrowed and he pondered on the reason for his visit being unwelcome.

As Yami finally made it to the Kame Game shop, he realized it wasn't open. He thought for a moment why Mr. Mutou hadn't opened up Shop. But then pulled out his key to Yugi's home that he received on note that it was for emergency's. This pretty much felt like an emergency to Yami, not seeing his Yugi at school, not to mention how he sounded on the phone. Yami opened the door without hesitation only to find Yugi on the floor in front of the door, cheeks red and face flushed.

"What the hell... Yugi!" Yami said pissed off, he couldn't understand how his friend ended up on the floor when he should have been in bed.

"Yami.. get out! I can take care of myself." Yugi demanded. He had finally made his way off the floor and though still dizzy and faint, shook his fist at his best friend.

"Make me..." Yami dared knowing he would not be challenged. He walked in and closed the door. "Cute pajamas.." he continued now taking a better look at his friend. Yugi lit up a bright red and covered his shirt. He wore a Dark Magician Girl pajama set with matching socks. Yami loved how innocent his best friend was. How he could wear anything and still look so cute in it. Yami walked over to his now falling over friend and picked him up to carry him to the couch. He put him down.

"Why..! Why did you come? Why did you have to see me like this." Yugi whined from his spot on the couch. Yami just laughed.

"Like what, sick.. in your pjs. You tried to lock me out.. that's why you were on the floor wasn't it?" He asked with slit eyes that could scare the toughest of enemies. Yugi began to fidget with his hands.

"N...no... okay.. maybe, a little" The young teen answered. He didn't want Yami to see him, in his girly pajamas, or how sick he was. He would rather hang out with Yami when he were dressed and not blowing his leaking nose.

"Too bad little one. I'm here to care for you, seeing as Mr. Mutou isn't here. Hmm.. where has he gone?" Yami asked in his normal and calm voice.

"Oh.. Grandpa left on a business trip and won't be back for two weeks." Yugi spoke his eyes closing little by little. Yami smiled, grabbing a pillow and sitting next to his best friend. He pulled him to lay his sleepy head on the pillow, now laying in his lap. 'Sweet dreams Aibou' Yami thought as he watched him breathe.

Yami watched as his best friend breathed lightly in his lap. 'He's so cute' he thought as he pushed Yugi's bangs out of his face. He could now see the full softness of the younger one's features. Yugi had clear ivory skin, long lashes that curled up from its base and his face was tinted pink, probably due to his fever. As much as Yami liked to watch his Yugi sleep he tried to be useful and maneuver the sleeping boy to the other side of the couch. Yami stood up and smiled.

"I'll get started on some soup. That'll make him feel better." he grinned thinking about the effort he was going to put into making this soup taste especially good for his friend. Yugi loved when Yami would cook for him, sometimes he would even let Yami stay over when his grandfather was out-of-town, just so he would cook in his kitchen. As Yugi slept, Yami pulled out a big pot from the cabinet and ran some cold water from the faucet in it, he then proceeded to fill the pot up and sat it on the stove. Yami knew exactly where everything was. This wasn't the first time he had taken it upon himself to care for Yugi. The young boy had a tendency to make his best friend worry. Not only did Yugi over study and exhaust himself a few times, he wasn't really athletic or good when it came to defending himself. There were plenty of times where he or Joey had to step in during gym class, because Yugi almost got tackled or hit with a ball. Something about the way his friend looked so innocent and helpless, made Yami's need to protect him all the more strong. Yami didn't know what had come over him the past year, he found himself eager to see his friend and longing to have his attention. Yes this was a crush, he was fully aware of it. It had become apparent one night to his cousin as well.

-Flashback-

Yami had finally done it. He'd been working on a scrapbook for months now. He looked down and smiled. The scrapbook was filled with pictures of him, Yugi and their friends. It was almost Yugi's birthday and this was going to be one of his presents to the young teen. As he stared down at the book, he felt a peaceful feeling of warmth and happiness that could only be felt when Yugi was around.

"I see you finally finished that scrapbook you were working on." a voice could be heard from the entrance of Yami's room. He looked around to see Seto, his arms crossed and leaning on the wall.

"Yeah, I did." Yami smiled.

"Well.. it took a while, but I've finally got the pictures of all the special times we've all spent together in one place. From our class trips to holidays and all the tournaments we've been to together." he spoke with a little too much excitement.

"You sound pretty happy about it. Any... particular, reason?" Seto asked with a small smirk.

"Umm.. nope." Yami cringed at his own voice. He sounded like a fan girl worshipping the ground someone stood on, in this case, Yugi. Yami's face had now heated to a deep red as he noticed his overly excited tone. Yami had acknowledged that recently he'd been feeling a little different about his best friend. He had finally come to the conclusion that it was a full-blown crush. Which he had hopes of keeping this secret to himself.

"Are you sure?" Seto said as he cocked an eyebrow. He had spotted a left over photo on the floor.

"Then what's this?" he laughed now seeing the picture fully as he picked it up. The picture was of Yugi. It looks to have been taken during spirit week at school. At that time students were to come to school dressed as the popular anime character that was chosen for them from which a drawing. Yugi happened to get Princess Serenity of the show Sailormoon. None of them particularly liked this character, and Yugi dreaded the idea if dressing as a female character in the first place, but no one could deny that he looked absolutely adorable. The young teen wore a long white dress with yellow detailing at the neckline and puffed up shoulders. Yami thought the sweet look suited him and took a picture of the embarrassed teen. The picture even had some writing that read: My Hikari with a heart. Seto turned to show him the picture in a teasing matter.

"Nothing!" Yami spoke, now pissed. He ran his hand through his tri-colored hair in irritation before sticking it out towards his nuisance of a cousin.

"Dimmit, just give it back. And don't tell anyone..."he said now embarrassed with his head down and quite timid. Seto then handed over the picture.

"Sure cuz, anything you say." Seto smiled. He never had any intentions to tell anyone, he just liked to pick on his cousin from time to time never causing any real harm. He then walked out of Yami's room.

-End Flashback-

Yami had already finished cutting up potatoes and carrots. He was now putting them in the pot on the stove that had already started stewing chicken and corn. He then chopped up a few peppers to put in hoping it would help sweat out Yugi's cold. Along with cilantro and a few more seasonings he was done. All that was left was to wait. Just then Yami's cell phone rang and he picked it up to answer

"Hello." Yami answered.

"Yo, Yami. Did you see how Yug was doing?" Joey's voice could be heard from the other end

"Actually, yeah. He's pretty sick over here." Yami replied.

"Well I know if your there he's in good hands." Joey said. Yami gave a slight blush on his end before scratching his head nervously.

"No worries." he smiled into to receiver. Yami then hung up. He felt relieved that someone thought Yugi was safe with him.

Suddenly, stirring and small yawns could be heard from the sofa as Yami entered the family room of the house. Yugi was finally waking up from his short nap, stretching and rubbing his sleepy eyes.

"Hey little one, your up." Yami spoke in a calm and caring voice, the way he normally talked to his best friend. Yugi only stared at him.

"What are you doing in my house...?" he asked confused. Yami stood for a moment, wondering how he was to answer that question. He didn't want to make his friend mad and as his eyes shifted to the floor he scratched his head and replied.

"I came to take care of you.. and make sure your okay." was his only response. Yugi then thought for a moment, his eyes went wide as he remembered his earlier actions.

Yami had called Yugi from school to see what was wrong. He hadn't gone to school that day and Yami was worried. He answered his phone to tell his best friend why he hadn't went to school, but when Yami told him he was coming to see him, he freaked out. The young teen's room was a mess and he looked like crap, not to mention the girly pajamas he happened to be wearing. He didn't want his friend to see him like that, and his first thought was to make it downstairs and lock the front door before Yami could come. But to the teen's misfortune, he tripped on his way to the door and fell face first. Unfortunately in his sickened state Yugi couldn't make it off the floor in time to prevent the horrible embarrassment that which his clothes and messy hair caused.

Remembering the events from that late morning, Yugi blushed a bright red trying and failing to cover his colorful pajamas. Yami only sat down next to him. He then folded his arms behind his head.

"Like I said, you look cute." Yami spoke as he leaned back. His voice was casual and nonchalant. Which happened to only make the young teen all the more heated.

"If I didn't like you so much, I'd kick you out.." Yugi said his features now soft and calm.

"If I didn't like you so much, I'd leave." Yami smiled. He loved his friend's independent behavior. The way the teen tried to do most everything on his own, never wanting to admit when he needed help. He loved it, because at the same time it was a challenge to show the teen he would be there when he really needed it. And Yami was, every time.

"I made you some soup. Its cooking on the stove." he continued. Yugi smiled. He hadn't eaten the night before and didn't mind something tasty that his friend had made.

"Thanks." Yugi sniffed. He didn't like to admit, but he loved when Yami worried about him. He would always come to the rescue when he really needed it as stubborn as he was. Yami knew him all too well which only made their relationship easier. He could say just about anything and all though he would get embarrassed, Yami never gave him any reason to.

"Of course." Yami smiled.

'There he goes again. After I tried to lock him out. After I nearly kicked him out.. he makes soup and acts like nothing ever happened. How can I not like him. Sure I have a great group of friends but Yami, he was different... special. Yami had the most caring pools of crimson you would ever see. His soul was calm and mature, the opposite of mine. He was protective while I was the one who needed protection. He could catch me in the whitest of lies. I've never known anyone else who made me happy like he did. '

"Yami.." Yugi spoke in a small voice. Yami watched as his friend's demeanor changed to that now of a timid expression.

"Yes Aibou." he replied in a calm yet concerned voice.

Lately for the past year or so, this had become some what of an endearing name for which Yami only called Yugi when they were alone. Yugi had notice but never showed any negative feelings like he normally would to any level of embarrassing words. In fact he seemed to welcome this name with a simple blush and a response in the beginning when Yami had first, started using it.

"I'm sorry that I'm such a bother..." Yugi continued. His face full of regret. Yami then stood up. Kneeling down in front of the teen he grabbed his hand softly and spoke.

"You, are never... a bother. Stubborn... but never a bother." he now smiled. He said this while looking into the young one's eyes. Yami could feel that his friend had started to become self-conscious of his usual actions.

"You are the cutest, strongest most considerate person I know, now how could that bother me?" he said with a serious face before cracking a smile. Yugi's face had flushed. Feeling dizzy, he suddenly fell forward into the other's arms.

Just as the young teen was caught in his arms, the front door flew open and in walked their group of friends. In a panic, Yami almost dropped him.

"What are you guys doing here?" he said in utter confusion.

"We're here, to fuck shit up!" Joey replied in excitement.

"Actually, we're here to see Yugi." Tea said pushing Joey out of the way. Her expression aggravated. "Oh I hope he's alright."

Finally the whole gang had made their way inside, pausing as they viewed the site in front of them. Yugi had passed out in Yami's arms which to anyone else would look as though it was a warm embrace. Seto happened to be the first to point out the awkwardness of the sight.

"You know cuz.. you shouldn't take advantage of a sick person." Seto managed to say between smirks. He could feel Yami glaring at him without the slightest movement to even look his way. Yami then composing himself, lifted Yugi in his arms to where the teen's head laid over his shoulder.

"He fell... okay, he passed out!" Yami spoke in an annoyed tone. His cousin was really starting to get to him with his annoying comments.

"Hmmm! What's that smell?" Tristan said sniffing the air. Joey handed him a bowl.

"Have a taste!" he said encouraging Tristan to eat some of the food.

"What the hell! That's my soup Joey! I made that for Yugi... Don't touch it anymore." Yami's face was now that of someone who planned of murder. He watched them as they both put down the bowl slowly and backed away. Even Tea now facing them spoke angrily.

"We're here to see how Yugi is doing. I was worried the way Yami rushed over here after classes." She said upset. "How is everything here, how are you doing?"

Yami smiled, Tea was the one who always kept these group of friends in check. She was kind and cheerful, always loving and trusted that friendship could always get these guys through any tough moment in life together. Even though these guys seemed to lolly-gagging, a lot. They really were concerned about Yugi just as much as Tea was.

"He's pretty sick with a high fever, but he'll be okay as long as I take care of him." Yami smiled at her. "And, I'm fine. It's really no trouble."

"Of course he's fine Tea, he's in the proper care of my cousin. When has he ever let us down." Seto spoke as more of a direct statement. Seto knew that no one would take care of their friend better than Yami.

"Your right Seto." Tea said now relieved when she thought about how well Yami cared for Yugi.

As everyone was calm Yami started to feel the weight in his arms begin to shift. The legs that he held around his waste and the head that lay on his shoulder started to move. He began to smile when he finally heard a sound in his ear.

"Mhmm... Yami... my tummy.." he heard from his shoulder. Yami leaned in with a soft voice.

"Are you ready to eat Aibou?" Yami smiled into the young teen's ear. Yugi began to stir in his arms while his arms wrapped around Yami's neck.

"Hmmhm." Yugi replied half asleep. He had then started to notice all the people in the room

"What... the hell, is everyone doing in my house.." he said now fully aware that everyone had invited themselves over the same as Yami did.

"We came to see how you were doing." Bakura smiled

"Yeah Yugi, its not like you to miss class and not tell anyone." Duke agreed. Everyone smiled followed by a few 'Yeahs' and 'Rights' as they also agreed.

"Well.. thanks guys. I'll be okay, I think I probably just caught something." Yugi said in a groggy tone as Yami put him down. He was ready to eat and really didn't want people fussing over him.

"Hey Yug, is that the Dark Magician Girl?" Joey asked pointing at him. Yugi only blushed and covered his shirt with his arms the best he could.

"J-just...get out!" Yugi stammered in embarrassment, as he ran to the kitchen.

"Joey you ass!" Tea said upset. "Sorry Yugi, we'll see you later. I hope you feel better." she called.

"Take care of our Yugi." she smiled at Yami before taking Joey, Seto, Duke, Tristan, and Bakura with her out the door. Yami only smiled and made his way into the kitchen. As he walked in he could see his poor friend at the table with his head down. Walking over to the cabinet and grabbing a clean dish, he spooned some of the chicken soup into the bowl.

"It's warm so you can eat right away." he smiled at the teen. He walked over to the table with a eating spoon and sat it down with the bowl.

"Everyone left Aibou." he said as his friend shuttered for a moment. Yugi sat up with a stressful look.

"Here, eat." Yami continued, lifting the spoon into the bowl and taking some soup onto it. He brung it to the teen's mouth as Yugi complied, feeding him spoon after spoon. Yugi blushed a light pink as he looked down.

"I could feed myself you know..." he spoke in a shy voice. Yami only smiled with a small laugh.

"I know. I just like taking care of you."

Yugi could feel his heart beat just a little faster inside his chest. He didn't know why he felt this way every time Yami was close. It had all started when he'd been studying at the older teen's house. Seto had been over with his younger brother Mokuba, and they'd been working on some duel monsters prototype video game.

-Flashback-

"Seto, the game won't sell if there is no appeal to play it after you've won already." Mokuba sat on the bed as he eagerly checked the game play of their new prototype.

"I know but the levels are pretty complex. I need something that can keep the player happy without adding pointless filler. Seto replied. The two brothers were discussing their new game and how to make it a lasting favorite in the house holds if gamers everywhere.

Meanwhile Yami was helping Yugi study for his chemistry test.

"Body temperature is ninety-eight point two degrees Fahrenheit, what is it in Celsius?" Yami asked in a really calm speaking voice. Yugi thought he sounded really smart.

"Umm.." Yugi hummed trying to think of an answer.

"Use the formula Yugi." Yami said reminding his friend how to find the answer.

"Oh yeah! Celsius equals Fahrenheit minus thirty-two times five divided by nine. So thirty-six point eight?"

"And, you deserve ice cream." Yami said with a smile on his face. He always tried to do something nice for Yugi when he got better in his studies.

"Anyone else?" he asked as his cousins were in midst of conversation. Seto replied first.

"Vanilla."

"Chocolate! "

"And Strawberry, Yami laugh looking at Yugi. He knew the younger teen liked strawberry, and found his cousins' completely opposite energies to be funny. Yugi smiled, he loved sweet things and couldn't wait to have some ice cream.

Yami and Yugi finally made it downstairs to the freezer. Yami had begun making ice cream cones for everyone and handed Yugi his first. As the small teen tried to take the ice cream he accidentally fell on top of his friend. Yugi's face turned red as he got up realizing how good looking he thought Yami was. That's when it hit him, Yami had always looked this way and he was just now noticing.

-End Flashback-

Yugi ate the soup that Yami had made for him. He's always loved his friend's cooking. Yugi thought it was very tasty.

"Yami?" Yugi spoke when the other was almost done feeding him.

"Hmm?"

"Are you staying over..." he continued in his quite voice.

"Why, are you trying to kick me out again?" Yami answered with a joking tone. Yugi only laughed.

"No!" he joked back.

"Sorry about that.." Yugi laughed. Yami then got up to wash the dish that the other ate out of.

"It's okay, you around is the best part of the day. How was I suppose to leave." he said in more of a statement than anything else.

"I could say the same for you, how was I suppose to kick you out?" Yugi returned his witty sarcasm.

"Well.. You weren't. " Yami said sweeping the younger into his arms. The teen blushed. He then took him into the family room. Yami sat his friend down on the couch.

"I'm not going anywhere. As long as your sick I'll be right next to you." he smiled at his friend. Yugi leaned back into the older's chest.

"What would I do without you?" he questioned aloud.

"Miss me.." Yami wondered. Yugi then yawned for a moment before speaking.

"Everyday..." he sighed as he drifted off. Yugi was exhausted from his high fever. Yami just smiled kissing his forehead as Yugi laid in his lap.

'And there he goes, making this crush harder and harder to keep just to myself. If only he knew.. that I'm so wrapped up in him. The way he looks at me when he's mad.. and how his walls come down with the kind words that are so easily said from me. Its all true.'

And that's it for chapter1! The characters are a bit OC but that's how the story is gonna be for it to work and become a bit down to earth. This will probably end up with lemon in it I'm sure. But I'm building this relationship as lovely as I can. This story should be pretty developing in its pace. Also this story is more of a falling in love tale. It tells the story of where their love began.

Kitten: I worked so hard on this romance!

Yugi: I know! Yami's so sweet.. and romantic!

Kitten: Your welcome. ^_^

Review Please!

Next Chapter: I Got you