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…..

Tears don't fall.

I'll remember you always.

Atemu.

I basked in the glow of a day that finally destroyed the shadows in my soul, where old had met new and fractures had knitted perfectly together. I stretched on the blankets of my bed, captured by the bright characters in the book I greedily read. I heard footsteps creak the floorboard outside my door and the laughter of my friends. I smiled fondly at them, the memory of their love and support. My fingers crept up toward my neck, reaching to a place they hadn't for years.

A puzzle. My home. I wonder where it is.

I prayed Yugi hadn't destroyed it in a petty revenge for my announcement and cowardly flee. But I dismissed the fear just a quickly, disgusted at myself for even thinking it. I knew Yugi would never destroy my history or hurt me.

The bedroom door thudded open, I jumped surprised and my book fell through my fingers. I glared up at Scott as he threw himself down onto his bed and grinned lazily at me. I flicked through the crinkled pages, attempting to find the words I had been reading but gave up when I couldn't remember them.

"Today was awesome!" Scott beamed, linking his fingertips behind his head and peering at me over his feet. "It was nice to meet Yugi. He's a nice guy."

"He is." I agreed, levering my body up to meet Scott's eyes. "I'm pleased everyone got on."

Scott's smile was gentle and sincere. "I'm glad you're happy, Até."

I beamed at him, watching him roll of the bed and saunter toward his laptop. He swept a stack of papers onto the floor, disregarding the mess he made and collapsed into the chair. I wandered over to his side, perching on the cabinet beside him.

"What are you doing?" I questioned

"Just messing around."

I watched him flick through random websites and click him tongue at pictures that flickered onto the screen. My attention drifted, the tapping of his keyboard fading into background. I picked up a magazine resting beside me on the desk and fumbled through the glossy pages, skipping over curvy, bare skinned girls. My gaze darted over the bright, bold headlines that couldn't capture my mind.

"Hey, Atemu?" Scott asked suddenly.

"Hmm?" I turned the page and scowled at the dancing monkey advertising insurance.

"We're friends, right? Best friends?"

It was then I realised he'd stopped typing and was staring blankly at the computer screen in front of him. I dropped the magazine back down to the desk, leaning forward to peer into the face that he kept hidden from me.

"You know we are." He shuffled nervously on his seat, pressing his fingertips together. "What's wrong?"

"I just needed to be sure." He waved of my next words and turned back to his computer.

I frowned and clamped my hands on his shoulder, shaking him in encouragement. "What else? Don't lie to me, Scott."

He shrugged my hand away and didn't answer. Confused and slightly stung, I walked back to my own bed and open my book onto a random page. The minutes passed in silence between us, the only noise my crinkling pages and Scott's whirling computer. The strange silence stretched out between us, straining our usual comfortable silences. I hadn't understood Scott's questions or the snatches of fear I was sure I'd seen in his eyes.

"Damn it!" I jumped at Scott's curse, my heart racing in my chest.

I peered over the edge of my book, concerned at his behaviour. His head had hit his hands, fingers burrowing into his hair and gripping at the roots.

"Scott? You ok?" I inquired, shuffling of my bed to hover behind him.

"Yeah…Listen, Atemu. I'm happy for you, I'm thrilled that you're in love. And you deserve it. Don't get me wrong."

"But?"

Scott let out a humourless laugh. "You're going to make me say it, aren't you? I'm happy for you." He repeated. "But I don't want to have to say goodbye."

"Why would you be saying goodbye?" I questioned fearfully, reaching out to tug on his shirt sleeve.

"I don't want Yugi to take away my best friend."

I scowled and swivelled Scott's chair around to face me. He blinked in surprise and gapped unattractively at me. I pressed both my palms against his shoulders and knew I had his attention when he swallowed.

"No." I growled. "He's not going to 'take me away.' You're my best friend, Scott. I'm not giving you up because I happen to be talking to Yugi again."

Scott mumbled something I couldn't hear and stared down at his feet, jaw locked stubbornly.

"But what about when you have to move back? Yugi can't stay here and I know you'll follow him."

I frowned in annoyance, lifting a hand to flick it against his forehead. "Who says that'll happen or it'll be anytime soon?" I countered

"I know it will. I'm not an idiot, Atemu. You'll go wherever he goes."

"Maybe you can come back with me?" I offered him, thrilled when his face lit up.

"Really? You'd let me?" He squeaked

I nodded. "Sure. I know the others won't mind."

Scott surged forward from his chair with a speed that startled me and threw his arms around my neck. I let out a surprised, laugh and embraced him back. He let me go suddenly, crimson dusted along his cheeks, his eyes firmly avoiding me but a smile on his face.

"Thanks man." He patted my shoulder casually and sank back down onto the chair.

I laughed and nodded, squeezing his shoulder before turning and leaving the room behind me. I closed the door behind me, and walked down the corridor toward the kitchen.

"Atemu!" Lucy beckoned to me from behind.

I span around to face her, smiling as she rushed to a skid in front of me. She beamed at me, raven hair flowing out behind her.

"Hey, Lucy." I greeted

"Kyle says he wants you to work in the bar tomorrow. But he'll talk to you later about it."

"OK. Thanks Lucy."

I started to continue toward the kitchen but noticed Lucy's footfalls beside mine. She followed me into the kitchen and leant against the work surface and I snagged a bag of crisps from the cupboards.

"Did you want something, Lucy?" I asked, tearing open the bag and hooking out a crisp.

" I liked your friends."

"Me too." I agreed cautiously.

"Especially, Jou." Amusement flickered across my face but I folded my arms across my chest.

"No! Not Jou. You don't get to have him."

Lucy pouted and clicked her tongue at me. "But Atemu, surely you won't stop me from seeing him."

I tossed the empty packet into the bin and pulled out a empty glass, sticking it under the running faucet.

"Lucy, I'm not sure you and Jou are suited for each other."

Lucy stamped her foot, crossing her arms tightly across her chest. There was a glare in her eye that unnerved me slightly and I reigned in my laughter.

"Urm…Lucy are you sure it's a good idea? I mean what if it doesn't work out?"

"I won't know until I try. Please, Atemu."

"I'll…think about it." I offered.

Lucy seemed to be appeased, she squealed and wrapped her arms around my waist. "Thank you! Thank you!"

She pressed a kiss to my cheek and darted away, while I stared after her is playful confusion. Kyle laughed from the doorway, he pushed away from the frame and smile dancing on his face.

"I'm not sure what you're doing, Atemu but there are a lot of smiles in this house today." He commented

"What does that mean?"

"I've just gone past Scott and I've never seen him smile so much. And judging from the giddy smile on Lucy's face it's all because of you."

"I'm not even sure what Lucy asked me. I think she likes Jou." I frowned and shrugged. "Oh, Lucy said you wanted me to work in the club tomorrow. Do you?"

"Yeah. If you don't mind. Have you got any songs for us?"

"I'm sure I could find a few."

Kyle's smile was smaller than Scott's but shone just as bright. He nodded his thanks and darted out of the room. I washed the glass I had clutched in my hand and replaced it in the shelf. But in turning back around, I jumped again, hostility and fear bubbling in my mind.

"Jamie." I greeted coldly.

"You're friends are very interesting people, Yami." He sneered.

I stiffened "It's Atemu." I growled. "You're standing too close, move away."

But he disregarded my words and pressed his chest closer against mine. The edge of the counter behind me dug into my back and Jamie's breath fanned across my face, my stomach turned in apprehension.

"What's the matter, Atemu? Liking another man this close to you, too much?" Anger roared inside me and I shoved against his chest but he barely staggered away from me. "I like that Yugi. He's very sweet. So similar to you."

"Touch him and you'll regret it."

"Hmm. That's a little clichéd, isn't it? I thought you were above that."

"Move away from me, Jamie?"

"Or what? You'll call for Scott? Who's to say he'll be around forever?"

Alarm smothered me, driving logic momentarily from my mind, suddenly I only wanted to know it Scott was safe.

"Don't you even think about hurting him. He hasn't done anything to you." I snapped.

Jamie shrugged and finally leant away from me, giving me a pass to rush past him. I heard his mocking laughter behind me but didn't care. I darted down the hallway, my feet beating out a quick, rapid dance on the floor. I flung open our bedroom door with a force that shook our room. Scott jerked around, his eyes wide and surprised and pressed his hand on his chest.

"Jeez, Atemu. Trying to give me a heart attack?" He joked but I didn't rise to it.

I scrambled over the beds between us and stopped by his side, panting slightly. "Scott! Are you OK?"

"I'm fine. What's wrong?"

There was only puzzlement in his eyes, no pain or sorrow. He was concerned by my behaviour and abandoned his chair to stand before me and press his hands to my shoulders.

"I thought…I thought…you're OK?"

"There's nothing wrong with me. Really, I'm fine."

I allowed myself to throw my arms quickly around his shoulders and reassure myself that he wasn't hurt. But as soon as his arms touched me, I jumped away.

"I'm sorry!" I mumbled and dashed away, ignoring his summons.

The robotic, tone-dead song of my phone startled me and I scrambled in my pockets. I answered the phone without glancing at the name flashing across the screen. I pressed it against my ear and tried to soothe my fear.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Yami! It's Yugi."

"What's up?"

"I just wondered if you were busy tonight."

Something warm and pleasant fluttered in my stomach. "No. Why did you want to do something?"

"Yes. Yami, get ready, I'm taking you out to dinner. Dress smart and I'll pick you up at seven tonight."

"Dress smart? Smart casual?"

"Nope. You've got a suit?"

"Yeah?"

"Wear it. Bye, Yami. I love you!"

He hung up on me barely a heartbeat later. I stared at the handset for a moment before turning around and dashing down the hallway. I burst into our bedroom for the second time and frightened Scott enough to hear a scream escape his lips.

"Damn it, Atemu. Stop doing that!" He scolded.

I ignored him and rushed over to my wardrobe, tugging open the doors and throwing clothes over my shoulders.

"Atemu? What on earth are you doing?" Scott asked, amusement dancing in his voice.

"I need a suit! Where's that charcoal one?"

Scott batted away my fingertips and pulled out the suit from the darkness of the wardrobe. "Here. You'll need a shirt."

"What colour?"

Scott shrugged. "Why do you need it?"

"Yugi asked me out on a date and he said wear a suit."

Scott's eyes widen slightly. "So it's an emergency."

"Scott!"

He darted out of the room, screaming Lucy's name with urgency. I smoothed the suit out on the bed, frowning at the creases on the seams and searched for stains. I was examining the cuff when Lucy came bounding in, excitement on her face, and playfulness on Scott's.

"You're enjoying this aren't you?" I commented dryly

"As you're best friend, I take this completely seriously. Lucy, he needs a shirt that goes with his charcoaled suit."

"Hmm." Lucy tapped her chin. "Let me see what you have." She scurried over to my wardrobe, delving in deep and pulling out an armful of crisp shirts I didn't know I had. "One of these have to go."

She pulled out a powdered blue shirt and held it against the suit for a moment and placed it beside her on the bed. She took one look at a violent orange and tossed it over her shoulder. "You need to burn that shirt." She instructed.

I nodded but made no attempt to touch the shirt. She placed a dusted pink shirt on top of the blue one and folded a crimson shirt onto a different place on the bed. She flipped through the remaining green and yellow shirts and shook her head.

"OK. These are your options. Blue or pink." She held the clothes up for my inspection.

"Blue."

She nodded. "Right. What about your hair?"

I turned to the mirror above Scott's bed, it had grown out over time. I fiddled with the band holding my spikes tame. I looked at my friends for approval and they nodded, smiling at me. I slipped the band away from the strands of me hair. I ran my fingers through my hair and suddenly I was staring at the past. The dark spikes I hadn't seen for years, framed my face and I was caught in the past for a heartbeat.

I'm back.

"Perfect." Lucy breathed, folding a blonde strand over my eye. "You look wonderful."

"What's the time?" I inquired.

"Six." Lucy answered.

"OK. Out! I'm getting ready in private!" I declared and pushed my friends toward the door.

Lucy giggled and danced away. "Get Jou's number for me!" She called.

Scott patted a wayward strand of hair back into place and smiled softly at me. "Don't panic, Até. It'll be fine."

I hugged him fiercely for a moment before letting him go and watching him follow Lucy down the hallway. I glanced at the suit lying on the bed.

Yugi…I love you…