I'd like to give a huge 'THANK YOU!' to everyone that has stuck with my insanity for 100 chapters! This is the last chapter for 2023, as I am going on a posting break for the next few months due to retail hell picking up for the holiday season. The plan is to return sometime in January 2024 just like I did the last time. When I have a more exact date in mind, I will put it in my pinned post over on Tumblr.

"Bye, Sweetheart! See you after work!"

Atem groaned loudly. "Are you seriously going to do this every day?"

Bakura lifted a hand to his chest, pretending to be emotionally hurt. "I go out of my way every morning to see you off, and this is how you speak to me? I think I may cry." He mockingly wiped away a tear.

"I hate you," Atem stated boredly.

Bakura plastered a sarcastic smile across his face. "Awww…I hate you too, Darling! I'll have dinner ready and waiting when you come home!"

"Die."

Bakura blew a kiss towards the elevator just as the doors closed. He immediately dropped his facade while sharply raising a middle finger towards the closed doors. "Asshole."

He turned and began to make his way towards the area of the penthouse he'd designated as an art studio when he heard a knock coming from the front entrance.

"Hm? Wonder who that could be?"

Upon opening the door he was surprised to see his best friend standing there.

"Are you going to just stand there, or are you going to invite me in?" Kat said with a taunting smile.

He slammed the door in her face and walked away. A burst of heat followed almost immediately.

"That was kind of rude. I came all this way to pay you a visit."

"Liar. How long have you been waiting for Asshole to leave?"

"Not long," Kat replied without skipping a beat. "I had to drop my boyfriend off at school first. Speaking of, do you plan on going back?"

"With luck, Fuckface shouldn't have any more issues and I should be able to go back next week," he replied.

Kat fell back into a cream colored sofa. "You don't call him that to his face, do you?"

Bakura stretched out across the length, using his friend's lap as a pillow. "I'll give you three guesses, the first two don't count."

Kat rolled her eyes. "And you wonder why he can't stand you…"

Bakura grabbed one of her hands and maneuvered it to the top of his head. "No more talking about him. This is 'me' time, and I want scritches."

"You are such a dog," Kat giggled as she began to lightly massage her nails into his scalp.

Bakura closed his eyes as he melted into the sensation. "Yes, I am. Now rub my belly and tell me how great I am."

"Awww…what's wrong? Is Kura Puppy not getting enough attention?" Kat said in a babied voice.

Bakura pouted. "No…'Kura Puppy' is not getting enough attention. I'm not feeling any belly rubs…" he chastised.

"I am not rubbing your belly. We both know what happens."

"I can't help that belly rubs make it rise. They just feel that good."

"Still not happening."

Bakura pouted some more. "At least tell me how awesome I am."

He peeked an eye to see Kat smiling softly as she shook her head at him in exasperation.

"You are beyond awesome, and you have such a big heart…even though you don't let a lot of people see it. Thank you for going out of your way to take care of Atem. It removes a great burden from my mind."

Both eyes were now open, and Bakura couldn't help but sulk at the comment. "I love how you managed to compliment and thank me, while simultaneously making me want to tear apart this sofa with my bare teeth out of frustration."

The massaging on his scalp came to a stop as Kat's smile turned sad. "For some reason I worry less knowing that he's here with you. I know how the two of you can be, but the fact that you volunteered to do…" she gestured around the room, "...all of this…it tells me that you obviously care in your own way."

Bakura groaned irritably. "We didn't suffer for the past five-thousand years just for him to go 'Life sucks, time to check out'. We don't get that option. We have to suck it up and endure. He can just learn to deal with it like everyone else. I don't care if he's miserable because 'Boohoo, I came back and it's not what I expected'. None of it is what any of us expected. He's not special. He doesn't get a free pass to escape all the 'suck'."

Kat leaned down to place a light peck on his forehead. "Thank you, regardless."

Bakura heaved a sigh. "Yeah, yeah. I'm still waiting to hear how amazing I am."

Kat giggled as she wrapped her arms around his head in an awkward embrace. "You are the most amazing and wonderful best friend to have ever existed! No one else can compare to the awesomeness that is Bakura!"

Bakura waved a hand in dismissal. "Stop. You'll make me blush," he said playfully.

"But you're so cute when you blush…"

"So is someone else," Bakura quietly growled in a seductive manner.

"What'd you say?"

"I said I know!" Bakura said loudly, trying to hide his panic. Had he really just said that out loud?

Kat glanced warily down at her friend. "Kura, you're not still trying to pursue Atem…right?"

"I…just gave him an option," Bakura stated in nervous defense.

Kat narrowed her gaze. "An 'option' is fine. I get wanting 'casual' for the sake of release, but don't be trying to make more out of it, and don't be hounding him. I meant what I said about not wanting to see anyone get hurt. You and he both have wounds of the heart. Don't do anything stupid that will force me to watch as the two of you tear those wounds back open."

Bakura's mood instantly soured. "I have no intention of making it 'more'. I know I'm insane, but even my insanity has its limits. I'd rather cut off my own dick than want something 'serious' with Atem."

"Just remember you said that, because I'll be the one holding the blade."

Bakura scoffed in amusement, his grin reappearing. "I may have to consider it now, especially if that's what it takes to get my dick in your hands."

Kat cuffed him hard across the head.

"OW! It was a joke!"

Kat scowled as she shoved him to the floor and stood. "Should have kept it to yourself."

She vanished in a quick flash, leaving Bakura by himself.

Bakura lay there for the briefest moment before roughly shoving the sofa in frustration, causing it to slide quickly to the opposite side of the room, taking a few potted plants with it.

"Dammit!" he shouted, feeling even more frustrated now because of the mess he'd created.

Atem sighed as he stepped into the elevator that would take him to the penthouse. He wasn't looking forward to Bakura…or the impending bombardment of questions on how his day had gone. He'd yet again fallen asleep at his desk out of sheer boredom.

The door parted, and he felt relief that a head of white accompanied by that stupid grin wasn't standing there to greet him. The only greeting he received was the enticing smell of whatever Bakura had most likely prepared for dinner.

He took a moment to remove his shoes and jacket, and drop his briefcase on the nearby accent table, before heading towards the kitchen and dining area.

Bakura's back was turned towards him upon entering. The elemental's hair had been pulled back in a rushed ponytail, and the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to the elbow. He looked to be in the process of dishing out whatever he'd prepared.

"Sit. I'll have it out to you in a minute," Bakura stated without turning around.

Atem did as instructed, feeling a bit confused. Bakura appeared…upset? He'd only just arrived home. Surely he hadn't done anything yet to put the thief in a sour mood?

Bakura abruptly set a filled bowl in front of him. "Hungarian Goulash. Eat it or don't. I don't give a fuck."

Before Atem could respond, Bakura sharply turned and exited the room.

Atem glanced down at the stew before him. The smells made his mouth water, but the cook's mood made him question how safe it was for consumption.

He gingerly lifted a spoonful of potato, meat, and thick broth. The savory aroma made his stomach cry out. After convincing himself that Bakura didn't seem the type to sabotage a meal (the thief appeared to enjoy a more hands-on approach to his torture), he caved to his stomach's demands by taking the first bite.

Atem closed his eyes as his taste buds danced from the delightful mix of flavors. He was able to detect the salt he often disliked, but in this instance it only helped to enhance everything else.

Maybe it was how food was prepared in this era, or perhaps it was his body's appreciation at being alive again, but he couldn't recall ever having been so enthralled by all the flavors and textures of food. He could easily name the beef, along with a few of the vegetables, but there were many ingredients he wasn't familiar with. Perhaps it was these strange additions that made it so flavorful?

He took his time eating, enjoying every bite. There were many things he'd taken for granted in his first life, this being one of them. There had been no need for nourishment while he was a spirit, and even when he'd eaten in place of his host, the senses had been so muted that he had no idea what he was missing. So far, he hadn't found much he liked about the modern era, but food was something he found he definitely enjoyed.

Once the bowl was emptied, he took it to the sink and rinsed it. He spotted more stew in the pan on the stove, and he contemplated indulging himself in another bowl-full, but his stomach told him that it was best to wait. Instead, he decided to check on the one who had taken the time to prepare the meal so that he could offer proper thanks.

Bakura was easily found sitting in the art studio. Atem still wasn't certain if painting was something he was interested in, but Bakura had set up an easel and supplies in one corner just in-case.

The elemental cursed in the opposite corner, smooshing the clay figure that he'd been working on, flat.

Atem lightly knocked on the wall to announce his presence. He was certain Bakura knew he was there, but it still felt right to do so at any rate.

"What?"

Bakura's tone indicated that his mood was still foul.

"I just thought I'd say thank you for the meal. It was really good," Atem stated earnestly.

Bakura glanced back just enough to peek an eye towards Atem. "There's plenty more. Help yourself."

"What about you?"

The elemental hesitated before answering. "I'm good. Perks of being immortal is being able to go a long time between meals."

Atem already knew this, as Kat had mentioned it in the presence of one of his former hosts.

"Being able to, I understand. Especially in situations where food is scarce. That doesn't mean you have to, especially when there is food available. You obviously put the time into that meal, you should take the time to enjoy it as well."

Bakura's eye narrowed as he groaned loud enough to make his displeasure known. "I said I'm good."

Atem's eye twitched as he tried to refrain from the argumentative comments that had formed in his mind. He settled for action instead by leaving the room.

He returned minutes later, jaw clenched as he placed a bowl of stew beside the irritable elemental.

"Didn't you hear me?! I said-"

"I know what you said," Atem interrupted sharply. He stood straight, arms folded across his chest. "But you have this annoying habit of doing things that irritate me." He allowed a smirk to form across his face. "I figured perhaps you might enjoy the same kind of treatment. You know…'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you'."

Bakura's eyes screamed a warning as the elemental twirled an artist's scalpel between his fingers. "I don't have to put up with you. I could kill you before your mind even registers that you're dead."

"But you won't."

"What makes you so sure?"

Atem leaned down, supporting his weight with one hand on the desk as he brought his face close to Bakura's. "Because you would have already done it."

Bakura growled. "What's to say I don't regret not doing it?"

"The fact that you haven't stabbed me with that yet," Atem said tauntingly with an indicated nod towards the scalpel.

Bakura growled again, this time a bit louder. "Fine. You've got me there. But I still don't have to eat if I don't want to."

Atem stood straight again, re-crossing his arms, his face returning to neutral. "Seems we're at a bit of an impasse then."

Bakura huffed a small laugh. "Not really. I can just do this." He vanished, leaving Atem alone in the art studio.

Atem sighed heavily in irritation. "So that's how it's going to be."

His shoulders fell in defeat as he picked up the bowl to carry it back to the kitchen. The smells called to him, and with his stomach having finally decided whether or not he could handle another helping, he settled for taking the bowl to the dining area instead. There was no sense in letting something so delicious go to waste.

Hungarian Goulash is essentially beef stew, but it features paprika and other spices versus just throwing stuff in together to simmer.

If you find yourself attending Youmacon in Detroit on November 3rd and 4th, feel free to stop and say 'Hi!'. You can find me by looking for Yami Bakura walking around with Sweet Tooth (Twisted Metal) and Michael Myers (Halloween).

Have a great holiday season! See you in 2024!