Mastermind
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Chapter 3
Confrontation
So the Yuugi/Seto kinda starts here as does one-sided Seto/Atem (I do not like it personally), as does the soap opera-like stuff I mentioned. There is also cursing, and angst.
Gold, once so soothing, now has become so disturbing. Egypt once soothed his soul. Visiting there eased the bleeding pain in his split soul and his searing broken heart. The country was like a soothing balm for the raw wounds that festered in his delicate emotional state. At least, this is what his overpriced therapist told him before he stopped seeing her.
Finding refuge at the game shop once again calmed him. His erratic heart and his unsteady breathing were beginning to steady. He curled into a ball in his old bed, mindful of the dust that still covered the sheets from his years of absence.
It was like a never ending circle, the past was simply repeating itself. The puzzle was back again. The damned thing nearly put him in the grave when Seto showed up with it again when they were eighteen.
The entire ordeal with Diva had done a number on his mental health that was already questionable.
But at the same time, the stupid relic led to so much happiness that he couldn't speak ill of it until now.
'You always hate what you lose. Or was it all good things must come to an end?'
Jou leaving had set into motion a whole slew of events that led to his downfall. The blond had been one of the few left to check in on him and his grandfather after things changed.
Yuugi sighed heavily, closing his eyes. He let his mind drift to his deeper memories. Tears cascaded down his cheeks as he whispered, "Why won't you leave me alone?"
—-
Ryou stared at his partner wide eyed. Neither man knew what to make of this outburst.
"Well that definitely didn't go as planned," Marik muttered.
Seto, oblivious to the other two until now, turned and glared. "Obviously. You two idiots were supposed to lure him here calmly so that we could discuss this calmly like adults."
"Kaiba, what exactly did Yuugi mean by tracking him?" Ryou asked suddenly. His eyes narrowed in warning. "Are you stalking in him just for a duel?"
The brunet huffed, straightened his suit. "Pick up the puzzle pieces and mind your own damn business. Mu association with Yuugi is not your concern."
Marik snorted. "I'm not your errand boy. You pick it up, rich boy." The Egyptian retorted. He crossed his arms over his torso.
Ryou shook his head in embarrassment, white hair falling into his face. "Forgive my dear husband. He is quite cranky when someone tries to boss him around."
"Except when it benefits me," Marik intervened cheekily.
Ryou groaned, shoving him aside. The blond had no shame and it definitely showed.
"He barely walked in before you barged in and riled him up."
Seto ignored them, picking up the pieces quickly, shoving them into his briefcase.
"Look, I don't have time for you losers. I'm going to check on him and so help me if you two intervene I'll have you arrested. Do I make myself clear?"
The duo nodded, watching the CEO leave without another word.
Something was definitely up between Yuugi Mutou and Seto Kaiba.
A harsh bang startled Yuugi awake. Bloodshot amethyst eyes opened blurily, unaware of his current surroundings.
"Wha-Where am I?"
He sat up, gazing around the room, realization setting in. 'Oh, that's right.' He closed his eyes and felt the bed dip next to him, a heavy familiar weight settling in.
One would be alarmed at the sudden intrusion, but Yuugi knew who it was. He had been trying to ignore the man for the past nine months.
A large calloused hand raked through his tricolor hair gently, causing him to sigh. The gesture was rare, but affectionate between the two.
Seto broke the silence, gazing down at Yuugi.
"You look awful. Lay down and I'll get you something to eat. You're even more thin than usual."
The smaller male shot him a glare as he pushed back up onto his elbows. "Gee, thanks." He fought to push Seto off him so that he could sit up, but found it futile.
"What the hell, Seto? What part of you have no business tracking me down do you not understand?"
Kaiba's intense cobalt eyes bore into Yuugi's expressive amethyst.
"Behind closed doors you and I speak freely with one another. That was one of the first things you made clear with me."
Yuugi simply rolled his eyes at this. "That was when I was tired of you starting problems with me in public."
A smirk graced the brunet's lips as he thought of Yuugi's witty remarks. "Ah, yes. That was fun." He narrowly missed a slap to the head.
"Regardless, I'm speaking freely right now as we have for the past seven years, Yuugi." He took the smaller man's left hand into his own and gently traced a finger over the empty space on Yuugi's left ring finger.
"Where have you been for the past nine months? I've been worried. Mokuba thought you did it this time."
Yuugi jerked his hand away and cradled it to his chest, eyes void of emotion.
"You lost that right when you went back there."
Hearing this, Seto straightened visibly in annoyance. "Yuugi, don't… You know it doesn't.." he struggled with his own words.
The former king of games sighed heavily, clenching the fabric of his shirt.
"You think I don't know what an obsession is, Seto? Do you think I don't miss the other half of my very goddamn soul every day? Do you have any idea what it feels like knowing you will never fully be complete again?"
Yuugi shoved himself away from the taller man, sheets and all. He staggered out of the bed, only to be pulled into a tight embrace.
He fought to be let go, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Do you know what it's like to finally find some semblance of peace in another… only for it to be wasted on someone who is gone?"
"Yuugi…"
"He's never coming back! How many times do I have to tell you this?" Yuugi fisted Seto's shirt, screaming out, "Get rid of the puzzle!"
After this, he managed to rip himself free from the tech giant's embrace, standing shakily.
"Why I am not enough, Seto?" he whispered.
Said man stood and picked up the struggling Yuugi in a bridal carry. He gently placed him back into the bed.
"You're more than enough, Yuugi. But you're broken, just like the puzzle." He muttered.
He sighed heavily and continued, "Yuugi, you need to know that the puzzle is back for a reason and it is drawn to you."
"No," he refuted, eyes downcast.
Cobalt eyes blinked. "What?"
"No. I am not letting you drag me into your obsession all over again. Remember what happened last time?"
"That's why you need to put it together! I have proof that he is back for real, Yuugi. I know how much you need him."
"Don't even start. You know nothing."
Seto pulled out his smart phone and thumbed through his sea of photos, hunting for the specific one he needed.
Once he found it, he handed over the device to the petite man.
"Look, here is the proof."
Yuugi reluctantly took the smartphone, glancing down at the picture. He nearly threw the device at his rival's face. "Another one of your sick holograms? I'm tired of this! I already told you to stop this! I'm not coming home no matter what you attempt!"
"Yuugi, that isn't a hologram! Why else is the millennium puzzle here?"
The smart phone slipped from Yuugi's hand, clattering to the floor. Tremors wracked through his body as he motioned toward the door.
"Get out! This is just another one of your stupid holograms and another attempt to get me home. I already told you I'm done. Get out!"
Seto picked up his phone and shot Yuugi a look. The words didn't seem to phase him. "You'll have to face all of this at some point my little king. Stop denying it."
With that, he left the former duel king to his anxious thoughts of his ending marriage and the belief that the love of his life was merely a hologram in that smart phone image.
What even was reality anymore?
