Hello everyone! Next chapter!
Enjoy!
Much love.
Keep happy and reviewing.
Tears Don't Fall.
Atemu
Allies in the dark.
"Atemu! Get out of bed!" Scott called "Before Jamie eats everything!"
Caught somewhere between sleep and reality I didn't hear Jamie's reply, though I imagine it was colourful. Heaving myself out of bed, I felt a real smile slip onto my face.
....Yugi....
.....I dreamed of you last night....
How we were before that night....before this hell started...
And...it was nice....
...doesn't mean I'll listen to my heart...Doesn't mean my walls will drop any further....
.
.
.
Doesn't mean you've won your place in my heart again....
.
.
.
Doesn't mean I love you....
"Atemu! Up!" Lucy ordered, banging on the bedroom door.
"All right!"
Lucy's laughter drew further away from me. Grumbling, I opened the wardrobe and pulled out a black shirt and a pair of faded jeans. Of course, Lucy tutted when she saw me but graced me with a smile. I couldn't shake the feeling that it was somewhat forced. The atmosphere in the kitchen was odd, but I couldn't figure it out. Scott smiled up at me, it wasn't right. Jamie glared at me, I jumped back under the intensity of his gaze.
"Jamie, for God's sake, stop it!" Scott growled "He's done nothing wrong."
As I watched, Jamie's expression changed, becoming one of serenity and friendship. Uncertain, I hovered in the doorway.
"Sit down Atemu. He has no right to make you feel awkward." Kyle said softly
"What's wrong?" I demanded, not moving from where I was
"Nothing." Jamie denied harshly
"Scott...tell me!"
"No, Até. Sit down." Scott snapped
Scowling, I slid into the offered chair, feeling slightly stung at my treatment. I pretended I didn't see Kyle shooting furious glares at Scott and Jamie over my head.
"Anyway..." Kyle spoke up suddenly "What are you doing today?"
"Well I'm heading to the mall." Lucy informed us, placing a plate of eggs and bacon before me.
"I'm going to visit Meg." Scott answered, sending a glance my way.
"In that case, I'm staying here." Jamie said
"Atemu? What about you?" Kyle asked
"Don't know....do you need help in the bar?"
"Haven't you worked there enough lately?"
"Probaly, but I need something to do. Please? I don't have to sing, just serve drinks."
"Atemu, you've been kind of touchy lately. I can't let you upset any customers."
For a moment I was too stunned to form any thought. "I won't."
"You must walk away from any people that anger you, do you understand?"
"Yes, Kyle."
"You lose, your anger even once and I will have to take action."
"Understood."
"Good. Take the evening shift."
"Fine." I rose to leave, still feeling wounded after my friend's reactions this morning
"Atemu, where are you going?" Lucy asked
"Out."
"But you haven't eaten."
I shovelled a mouthful of eggs into my mouth just to spite her. "Give the rest to Scott."
"Atemu! Get back here!" Kyle ordered "What is with you lately?"
"Nothing!"
"Atemu! Sit down and eat!"
"You're not my father!"
"I might as well be!" He yelled before turning and slamming the kitchen door closed in my face.
In furious rage, I stormed out of the apartment. My good mood thoroughly destroyed.
.....Just once....come to me when I need you....
"Hello, Pharaoh." A smooth voice spoke from behind me
I jumped, spinning round on the bench to face the intruder and instantly wished I hadn't. "Bakura."
"Don't normally see you alone. Where's your followers?"
"How should I know?"
"Can I sit?"
"No." He did anyway.
I scowled at him, he chuckled.
"Did you want something?" He raised his eyebrow "Other than to convince me to come back?"
"No. I want you to come back"
"But I'm not ever going to."
"Pharaoh, you know as well as I do that promises are meant to be broken."
"Not this one."
Bakura sighed "You're to stubborn for your own good."
"Hmm, it's save me before in the past."
"Yes, but like you said that's the past. You're in the present and you're missing it."
"I'm missing nothing."
"You can't honestly tell me that there isn't a part of you that does miss us."
"There...isn't."
"You're lying."
"Am not."
"You are. You can't fool us."
"I can try...!"
"Yeah. But you can't make me believe you."
I folded my arms across my chest, turning to gaze at the children playing games. A couple strolled past us, old, death within tasting distance but so happy that they were together. The women stared up at her husband with loving eyes whilst he stared back, equally in love. Something inside my throbbed a little.
"So what if I miss him? It's not like I can be with him?"
"Why not?"
" One, society won't allow it. Two, I won't allow it. Three, do you honestly think I'd put myself in that position again after what happened last time? Four, I don't trust him."
"See that's your problem."
"I don't trust him?"
"No, well yes but it's more than that. You see, you think to much with this." He tapped my temple. "And not enough with this." He poked my heart "Loosen up."
I growled a little as his words sunk in.
"I won't do it!" I declared "I won't fall in love again!"
"We'll see. Yugi wants to meet you again."
"Whatever, I'm working tonight anyway."
"At the bar?" I nodded "Good, we'll be there. See you at ten."
And he was gone as soon as he came.
"B-Bakura! Hey! That's not fair! I never agreed!"
....Too late you stupid man....
By the way, great job at keeping your feeling hidden, announce it to the world why don't you?
No, I know even better, announce it to the tomb robber! Your enemy.
My enemy, huh? Why doesn't he act like one?
Hours later, I slunk back into the apartment. My presence went unnoticed and I hurried to my room. However, on the way, loud angry voices drew me to Jamie's room. I hovered anxiously outside.
"Jamie, this has to stop! I won't let you hurt him!"
....Scott?....
"Who are you? His mother? He's a grown man, he can do what he wants!"
"Damnit, Jamie. Don't you understand? He's torn apart inside! You'll make him worse."
"No! I could fix him."
"He doesn't need you to fix him. Back off!"
"Don't tell me what to do!"
"When it comes to him, I'll tell you to do anything I damn well please!"
"Scott, if I want him, I'll bloody well have him!"
"....That sounds like a threat...."
"Only if you chose to see it that way."
"But...I...You can't!"
"Oh, get out of my room!"
The door opened and I jumped back away from it. Scott stepped out, blinking in shock when he saw me.
"Atemu! How much did you hear?"
"Not a lot. Scott, what's going on?"
"Nothing I can't handle."
He turned to walk away.
"Scott!" I called after him "You're not in trouble are you?"
He smiled gently. "No, Atemu, I'm not. Don't worry about it."
"You'd tell me if you were, right? You wouldn't keep secrets?"
"I'd tell you straight away."
"All right."
He left me, standing confused in the hallway.
....what the hell is going on?...
"Kyle?"I spoke hesitantly, not daring to even stand in the doorway.
He looked up from the desk where he was sat talking to Lucy. I couldn't read his expression, frightened, I went to draw further away.
"No, Atemu. Come and sit down, kid. Lucy make a cup of tea or something for him?"
"Sure." She stood up and danced around the kitchen
"Now, Atemu. What's on your mind?"
"I'm sorry."
"For...?"
"You know why."
"And...?"
"I'm sorry."
"Yes, you've said that. I want to know why you're sorry."
"I'm a jerk. Stupid, ungrateful, worthless man. I should be rotting in the gutter somewhere. I shou-."
"ATEMU! ENOUGH!"
I jumped, panic flaring through me. Kyle leant toward me, his fist raising and I flinched, bolting from my seat to stand behind it. Kyle blinked in confusion before settling on horror.
"You can't think I would...too you...oh god, you do!"
"You were going to hit me."
"I wasn't."
"Atemu, you know, none of us would ever hurt you." Lucy informed me, as my wild eyes crossed to hers "Especially Kyle."
"Ra...I'm losing my mind." I whimpered, falling back into the chair "I am sorry. I don't mean to be like this. I just-."
"You just miss him."
I nodded pathetically into my hands.
"Take a risk. Love him again."
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" He opened his mouth to talk but I didn't let him "I physically can't let myself love him."
...Please...hear my cries....I need you....
"Oh, Atemu." Lucy sighed
"You're pretty messed up, kid, aren't you?"
"Sounds about right."
I am who I am...
The road to get here has been painfully long...
I am who I am...whoever I am...
"Yo! Waiter, another drink!"
"Coming sir."
I forced polite words out through my teeth, trying hard to ignore the drunk, very loud man leering at me. I wasn't sure how much longer I could cope with this crowd of people, soon I was going to be looking for an escape route.
Smiling, I placed the glass on the table and collected the empty ones. A large hand, shot out, clasping my wrist in a bruising grip.
"What's your name, pretty boy?"
"Sir, please, let go."
"I'm Darren."
"Darren, okay. Let go off my arm."
"What's your name?"
"Ya-Atemu."
"Atemu? Pretty."
"Sir, please, I have other customers to serve."
"They can wait."
Anger rushed through my veins, chocking out the fear I felt. My promise to Kyle rushed through my mind, did this count? Can I hit this man is self defence? I threw a glance over my shoulder. I had lost Kyle in the sea of faces, he couldn't see me, couldn't help. Darren pulled roughly on my arm, I only just saved myself my bracing my free hand against the table top. Darren's gaggle of friends laughed at me, urging him on.
"Come. Sit with me." Darren purred
"Sir, let go of me."
"Before you do something you'll regret? Please, I've heard it before."
"I mean it!"
"All right, I'll let you go." I relaxed "For a kiss." I tensed up.
He laughed as I struggled wildly. I couldn't escape, if anything his grip got tighter, I cried out.
"Let go!" I yelled
"Shut up, boy!" Darren hissed, glancing nervously around us. "One more yell and I'll do something drastic."
"I'll keep yelling if you don't let me go."
"Not gonna happen."
"Then I'll keep yelling. KYLE!"
A rough hand clammed over my mouth, silencing my words, again I struggled. "Shut up!"
//RA! LET GO! GET OFF ME!//
/Yami?/
"Hey, that guy's attacking the bartender!" A women's voice reached me "Stop it!"
"Now look what you've done."
Suddenly, a hand reached out and grabbed Darren's, he gapped in surprise. I followed the hand to it's owner and gasped. It was none other than Seto Kiaba.
"If I were you, I'd do as he says."
Gentle hands were at my shoulders, steadying me. I recognised this person, the protective light that had suddenly flooded my senses even though I fought it.
"Make me." Darren smirked.
"All right." Jou said. "Seto, let me."
Kiaba stepped backward and Darren's hand tightened again. I tried to shake him off, growling as he smirked at me. A soothing hand ran down my arm....Yugi...
Jou's hand replaced Seto's and with a quick, sharp twist, Darren's hand fell away from mine. HE leapt back, howling in pain. I just blinked, remembering what Jou's hands were capable of.
"I want to see your boss! Where is he?" Darren demanded, stepping closer to me.
It was Yugi who placed himself in front of me. "He's coming."
True enough, Kyle was working his way through the crowd that had surrounded us.
"What on earth is going on here?"
"I wish to file a complaint. That man." He pointed wildly at me "Tried to assault me."
"WHAT?" I exclaimed "He tried to assault me!"
"Absurd! Look at my wrist!" The joint was swelling rapidly.
Kyle's eyes were full of anger and disappointment. Rage grew in me.
"Look at my wrist!" I growled, shoving my limb in Kyle's face. He studied the red marks, now forming bruises, identical to those of fingers. "I never touched this man,"
"Lies! When he couldn't get to me, he called his buddies to help him!" I pointed at Yugi and Jou, still positioned at my sides.
"I didn't! Jou was trying to get this creep of me."
"Atemu, do not insult the customers. I don't know what to do with you anymore! I'm at my wits end!"
...Oh...No...no no no...please don't say that!....Don't do this to me....not again...
"Excuse me." The women spoke up again. Kyle turned to her.
"Yes?"
"I saw what happened. This young man, Atemu did not injure Darren in anyway. Darren grabbed him and refused to let go, Atemu asked politely for him to let go and he refused. It was only after Atemu's pain became evident and he cried out did he attempt to free himself. That is when these people intervened. No harm has been done, they simply wished to help Atemu."
"Is that right?" Kyle demanded at the people sitting at the women's table.
"Katie's right. Atemu did nothing wrong."
"Lies! Lies!" Darren cried, taking a swing in my direction.
I dodged it, determined that no one else would hurt me like that again.
"Get out of my club! If I ever see you in here again sir, I shall inform the police."
Grumbling, the drunk man exited the club. Kyle turned to me. I was so angry I couldn't even look at him.
"Atemu, I'm sorry."
"Don't bother, Kyle. Just don't fucking bother."
So...this is my life now....
Why can't it be normal?
.
.
.
....Yugi....
Now what do you see when you look at me?
.
.
.
.
/I see...a beautiful, lost, frightened man....I want to make you happy again.../
There! All done!
Yes: I know it's bad.
Yes: I know Atemu is out of character but he's confused.
And yes: Atemu can't fight with fists. Ancient magic and duel monsters, yes. Punches and kicks, not so much. It's just how I see him.