Hello everyone! Here's the next chapter.
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Much love!
HikariTenshiYamiTenshi- Thank you for pointing out that mistake. I hope it's corrected this time round.
I am almost ashamed to post this chapter...the disgrace that it is...
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Tears don't fall
Wishes on falling stars.
Yugi.
My wildest dream came true today.
Yami started to let go of the past.
I could see a frail trust building in him....timid...frightened....
...but there...
I'll fight to keep it there.
I leant around Jou, seeking out Yami, watching him smile hesitantly at Ryou. He was seated on the floor, a magazine before him, Ryou and Seto seated beside him. That smile on his face wasn't quite right. There was still something missing, hidden deep inside. I burned to bring it out of him, see the smile I remembered. The one that made me feel invincible. I wanted to the smile of a Pharaoh, confident and full of life. Not this timid one he hid behind, even thought it was beautiful in its own way. I didn't feel any closer to bringing it out of him. But sometimes, I was sure I saw it. But not now, I had a long way to go. He was still tense, unsure of what to do, hesitant of what to say. Every so often his eyes darted to the door and away. Each time when I thought he was going to leave, he'd turn back to one of us and watch. He never started the conversations, never tried to force his opinion on us but he nodded in all the right places and soothed out any frazzled tempers. I grinned as he flicked the blonde fringe out of his eyes and scowled in response to the words that had just left Seto's mouth. Seeing him with this new hairstyle still sent tremors of sadness around me. It wasn't him. Not how he's supposed to be anyway.
But if you're happy...I'll adjust...
...You're still so beautiful...
I meet his eyes, watching as ice crimson thawed out momentarily. A smile danced around his lips, tugging on the corners. I grinned back, putting every ounce of my happiness in it, trying to reassure him. A gentle blush crept over his cheek bones. I smiled, something singing inside when he timidly found my eyes again.
/I did miss you Yami/
//T-Thank you. I- It's nice to see you again//
Yes, Yami. I got that message. I know you missed me too.
Jou stood, and walking over to the small group, threw himself down next to Seto. I didn't miss the longing that flickered down the link, the want to have something back but the fear of getting hurt. Sighing, I followed Jou's example, moving to sit beside Yami. Gently I brushed our shoulders, relief flying though me when he stiffened but didn't pull away.
...There's still a chance...
Ryou drew away from the magazine page with a huff, earning a chuckle from Bakura. I glanced down at the page, grinning when I recognised the grid of a crossword. Ryou's frantic pen marks proved that the game had beaten him, the numerous crossing outs seemed to double the size of the grid.
"Something wrong, Hikari?"
"I can't do this."
"Of course you can." I assured
"No! I can't work it out."
"Give it here." I took the game from him.
16: Art...(4)
14: light without heat or flames...(4)
1 : Semi or detached dwelling...(5)
Confused, I stared at the words, trying to make sense of something that I knew was simple but I couldn't grasp it.
"Light without heat or flames....? What?"
"A bulb." Yami's quiet voice spoke
I turned to him in surprise. "A bulb."
He ran his finger down a column, counting out the letters. "B-U-L-B. That's four letters. A light bulb."
"It fits." Seto agreed
I took the pen of Ryou, hurriedly putting in the letters before the word trickled away.
I grinned at Yami. "That's great!"
"Can I see the rest?"
"Course." I put the magazine and pen in his lap.
Offering a brief smile, Yami looked down at the page. His forehead creased as he fought for the answers, the pen was subconsciously lifted to his lips, teeth nibbling on the lid. A warm, fluttery feeling tickled my stomach, my heart sang at the sight of him.
He was back. I had found him.
...Now...I just have to keep you...
"Art...Art WORK!" A quick scribble of a pen. "Semi or detached dwelling...dwelling...HOUSE!" Another word placed down. He looked back up at me and placed the magazine and pen in front of me. "Solved it!"
There it was. That confident smirk. The one that said he knew that he couldn't be beaten. Because he can't. He can't be kept down. He'll fight. Just like he's doing now. Seto laughed, slinging an arm around Yami's shoulders. Yami turned slightly to look at him, surprise lighting up his face.
"Erm...Kaiba?"
"We've spent hours trying to work that out and you come and solve it in a matter of minutes." I giggled as Seto fought to control his laughter. "You truly are the King of Games."
"I...am?"
Seto nodded. "Oh yes, for now you are. One day though I'll get my title back."
Yami rolled his eyes, a smirk finding his face again. "Keep dreaming, Kaiba."
"One day, Pharaoh. One day."
Yami gave a gentle chuckle. Nothing like the laugh he used to have.
I will get you there...I will bring you back...
Suddenly Yami's whole behaviour changed, something flickered over his face. I couldn't identify the emotion. It wasn't anger, more a distant longing. I didn't understand.
"I want you to know, I am a Pharaoh. I will always be a Pharaoh. I will always be Atemu. But...I..used to just be Yami...Maybe...one day...I can be him again."
I raised myself to my knees, turning around to face him and give him my full attention. "We're not trying to take Pharaoh Atemu away from you. But we want Yami back, if in the event you can't be him again, we'll work around it."
Yami sighed. "The thing is, Yami has always been so weak...like a child trapped, needing protection. Last time he got hurt. Atemu is strong...he's a ruler, protector of people. He doesn't need to be protected."
I'd never heard Yami address himself in third person before but it proved how desperate and confused he was.
"I understand, Yami. Yes, Yami was more sensitive that Atemu, sure he made more mistakes. But Atemu's kinda thick headed..."
"Not to mention a prat!" Bakura spoke up
"Yes, thank you Bakura." I sighed. "Okay, what I'm trying to say is Atemu didn't protect me, didn't protect us, it was Yami. Atemu stayed silent and let Yami do his job. Atemu isn't my Yami, Yami is. Understand?"
"I do."
I couldn't help myself, I leant over and pulled him into a hug. I remember how we used to hold each other like this. How strong he felt, how these arms made me feel secure and safe. I haven't felt like that for such a long time. No one can ever replace Yami, I can never replicate his smell, the feel of him. There will never be another one like him.
"I was such a fool to let you go. So stupid. Stay with me, please." I whispered
He heard and his grip tightened on me, his face pushing into my neck. "I'll try..."
....what is this feeling I get around you...?
I jerked at the sound of a mobile ringing. I checked mine, aware that everyone did the same. Yami stood up and stalked over to the couch, glaring at something hidden among the cushions. I leant forward and pulled the slim phone to him. Anger took over his features, I blinked when I string of what I guessed was Egyptian curses left his mouth.
...So Grandpa was right...he can swear in different languages...
He flipped open the phone, exhaling through his nose. "What?"
The reply that he got only seemed to anger him more. "I will not come back until I am ready, Jamie!"
Muffled exclamation.
"Yes. I'm with Yugi. Is that a problem?"
Yami snorted.
"Well it's got nothing to do with you, has it? I don't know when I'll be back."
Jamie yelled, I could hear his raised voice from where I was sitting. I watched as Yami trickled away, to be replaced by a cold, frozen Atemu. Sadness bit at me, he never used to rely on his other personality before.
"Don't call me that you worthless piece of shit!"
I gapped, Jou mirrored my expression. "Since when does Yami use language like that?" He whispered
"I...don't know."
But Yami was still yelling. "No! I'll come back when I'm ready. Goodbye Jamie."
He hung up, though I'm sure Jamie hadn't finished speaking. For a moment no one moved, we all just watched Yami as he stared at the phone in his hand. Slowly, one by one, his fingers opened and the phone dropped to the floor.
"Yami...?"
He turned back to me, a mask pulled over his face, his wall back and reinforced. Tears threatened, I hated seeing Yami like this. I stood up and walked over to him. I framed my face with my hands, staring into crimson eyes.
"You'll be all right, Yami. We're all here. All you've got to do is trust us again."
He didn't say anything. Just closed his eyes and let me hold his face.
...He's so tired...and he tries so hard....
.
.
.
"I'm so sorry you suffer like this. I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough to save you from the fall. I'm sorry that you don't have the strength to face your demons. I'm sorry that you're so afraid. I'm sorry for...everything..."
.
.
.
"Y-Yugi? Uhm...Can I talk to you?"
I smiled at Yami as he hovered in the doorway of my room. "Of course."
"I-I want to say thank you for trying. I'm sorry I have so much baggage and I let it drag me down. But I don't know what else to do."
"It's fine Yami. Everyone's got history. Yours is just..heavier that most people's."
He stepped into the room, glancing quickly around it, grimacing at the tasteless paint job. "Don't like it?"
"No. I don't. Yet, you don't either."
I laughed. "So true. So, what did you want to talk about?"
"A-Actually, I wanted to show you something."
"Oh-Kay..."
He tugged on his shirt collar, turning around to show my his shoulder. I stared silently at the tattoo that decorated his arm. I recognised it straight away. Anger flowed through me, nipping at my mind.
The Seal of Orichalcos.
Why did he have that permanently drawn on his skin?
I looked up at him, demanding an answer.
"Don't look at me like that! When I got it, I was angry, I wanted something that upset you. It made me remember to be strong and fight for what I wanted." I opened my mouth to speak but he cut me off. "But I forgot the dark side of it. That it makes me lose control and be something I'm not. I forgot and I'm sorry." He pulled his shirt back up, adjusting the collar and avoiding my eyes. "I wanted you to know, now. I'm sorry. I'll go now."
"I wanted something that upset you..."
...Didn't Grandpa warn me of this?...
Didn't he sat that Yami was testing me? Seeing how far he could push the boundaries?
...Like a frustrated teenager...needing to find his place....
But I won't let this push us apart.
"Yami! Wait!" He paused, body tensed, waiting for a fight that would never come. "I don't like it but I understand. You don't need to go."
"Thank you, Yugi."
Jou approached us, beaming. "Hey, Yams. There's a spare room here. Stay for the night?
"Stay?...Oh...I don't know...I shouldn't...I'm sure you don't want me around any longer...and Kyle will be worried."
I shrugged. "We have a phone. And I agree with Jou. It's late. It isn't safe to travel in cabs this late at night and I'm not letting you walk home."
I could see that logic would eventually win.
But something told me that Yami had no desire to return home just yet.
...What's happening Yami....
"It does seem sensible...It is a long way home...All right. I'll stay but just for tonight."
...Thank you God...Thank you for my miracle
.
.
.
Whilst, he slept that night, lost in dreams, I watched him. I had missed him, I'd never made any secret of it but I had. These feelings I have around him I don't understand. I traced his face, pressing my fingertips to his lips.
That night...all those years ago...you kissed me goodbye, didn't you?
That's why my lips felt like that.
You'd wanted to say goodbye but couldn't face it.
You left a lingering memory of your lips instead.
I've only just worked it out.
You...you deserve better than what I can give you. But I won't ever let you go.
"I missed you, so very much. But you know that. I wish I knew what you want."
I wish I know what I want.
I leant forward, pressing my lips to his forehead. It wrinkled under the contact and he turned slightly into me. I smiled sadly.
"I'd do anything to rewind time. Give anything."
...Last night...I wished on a star....I think it's coming true.....
.................
I'm very sorry.
The crossword was random and easy...I don't know what happened.