Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Differences Don't Matter ❯ December Holidays ( Chapter 21 )

Marik dragged Yugi halfway down the street before Ryou finally convinced him to the smallest elf go. He grinned and dropped his arm on top of Yugi's head like an armrest, releasing a loud chuckle and receiving lots of disgusted glares in the process. “You're so adorable,” he grinned, watching Yugi look away with a pout. “Aww, don't take it like that, Yugi. You just looked so….so…well, I can't think of the word, but you were so something when you were with Yami.”

 

“Maybe you'd like to buy him something for Christmas,” Ryou suggested, pushing Malik's arm away from the violet-eyed youth much to Yugi's gratefulness. At the elf's sudden blush the oldest of the elves knew he hit the spot. “That's what I thought,” he smiled with glee.

 

The three of them walked around the city together, Malik mostly cracking jokes that had either the two others laughing or blushing from the looks they were getting from the townspeople as the oldest just chuckled. Sometimes they looked in stores and others they just looked in the windows to see if anything was good.

 

Suddenly, Ryou stopped and stared wide-eyed into a store window. The three of them were just about to go down the other side of the street in front of the main gate when he spotted something. Malik crossed his arms and waited for his fellow elf patiently, a knowing smirk on his face. Yugi, on the other hand moved forward eagerly, wanting to see what it was Ryou had found. The albino elf pointed the item out to him and Yugi's mouth fell open while his eyes sparkled with delight.

 

Off to the side in the window display next to a porcelain doll and an imported tea set was an elaborately decorated music box. Even though the glass separated the three of them their elfin ears could easily pick up the sweet, piano-played music. It filled you with a cloud of happiness while at the same time somehow made you feel a little sad. The outside was a dark, ocean blue with vertical, glossy silver lines, one going up each side of the box. The lid that sat next to the playing device was shaped like the top of a gift with a ribbon of silver flowing over the edges elegantly.

 

“It's beautiful,” Yugi breathed, his breath puffing out to create a circular fog on the glass. Ryou nodded next to him and stepped away from the glass.

 

“That's the one,” he announced confidently. He entered the shop, fixing his hair so the white strands would cover his ears as he did.

 

It was a few minutes before he came out with the store bag in hand and a pleased smile on his face. He hugged the package to his chest and continued walking down the street. The other two smiled and Malik shook his head before following after him.

 

Malik was the next who found something. Yugi recognized the store as the one Makoto brought him to buy him new clothes his second day with him. Malik pointed out the vest that the manikin was wearing with a large grin on his face.

 

“That's so Marik,” he snickered. He slithered into the store and disappeared behind the rolls of clothes inside. Ryou and Yugi waited outside, huddled together to keep warm and their breath coming out in short pants with their frozen breath puffing with each outtake of air.

 

Worries were starting to tug in Yugi's stomach and he leant tiredly into Ryou. He still didn't know what kind of gift Yami would like. The usually stoic male never really talked about his hobbies or talents he might have. In fact, the only thing Yami really showed an interest in was that book they picked up from the castle.

 

Perhaps he likes to read Yugi wondered. There are all those books in the library. However, the image of the mark that bled on the last pages of the old tome as well as branded permanently onto his wrist told him otherwise. He was only interested because it had something to do with what's going on now…now? Maybe he likes current events. Similar thoughts continued to drift and out of his mind, each one more convincing than the next. His train of thought didn't stop until Malik sped from the shop eagerly, causing the two cold elves to jump.

 

“It's perfect! Even more so than I first thought,” the bleached-blonde elf shouted, startling everyone around the group. He pulled out the clothing from his bag and paraded it to the other two. “Well, well?” A large grin was plastered on his face as he impatiently waited for his company to say something.

 

The vest was obviously made of leather and had to be expensive. Yugi self consciously looked anywhere but at the vest. He didn't have any money so he really didn't know how he was going to buy anything for Yami, especially something as beautiful as the vest or the music box.

 

“Yugi?” Said elf jumped and he looked quickly at the other two with a questioning look. Ryou smiled and put a hand on Yugi's shoulder. “Don't worry. We wouldn't have invited you to come along if we weren't going to help you. Malik and I know you want to get something special for Yami.”

 

“How did you….”

 

Malik smiled and tapped Yugi's cold-induced pink nose playfully. “Your face gives you away.”

 

Yugi smiled. “Thank you.”

 

With an elf on either side of the shortest they continued walking down the street, pointing out things and Malik continuing his tirade of jokes. Warmth filled the inside of Yugi despite the nipping cold of winter. This was the first he'd ever spent with his own kind and he was surprised that it wasn't much different than being with Yami or Makoto. He felt like what he said mattered and he found himself disliking his parents for hiding him away for so long.

 

By the end of the day and the rest of the shops later the three elves were exhausted. Yugi clutched the small, yet precious package to his chest with a large grin. He'd profusely thanked Ryou and Malik dozens of times when they helped him pay for it. In return for their help they only wanted Yugi to go last when they opened their presents.

 

Yami opened the door and smiled at the three of them, though it was mostly directed at the littlest elf. “I thought I heard voices out here. Dinner's just about ready and I'm sure you're hungry.” The violet-eyed elf smiled and stood up hugging Yami tightly. The human noticed the package clutch in his small hand, but chose not to say anything about it.

 

The second the two taller elves stepped in they were attacked by their respective humans. Marik tackled the bleached-blonde elf against the wall and half-heartedly tried to grab the parcel in his hand.

 

“Please,” he whined. The sudden childlike behavior startled Yugi but rather than staring wide-eyed he ended up laughing alongside an intent looking Yami.

 

“No, Marik, you can see it on Christmas!”

 

Yugi slipped his hand into his human's larger one and watched is profile through half-glazed eyes. The day at been refreshing at the most. He'd gone out on the town, the first time in months, and with his own kind. People only stared at the group because of the loud noise Malik made and those who stared disapprovingly didn't bother him like he originally thought it would. There was no awkwardness and self-consciousness. It was just him and some friends he had a merriment doing it.

 

Bakura was tickling Ryou's sides mercilessly though no matter how defenseless the albino elf seemed he wasn't about to give the brown-eyed human his package. “Forget it,” he was crying through his laughter. Tears streamed down his cheeks he was laughing so hard.

 

Yami closed his hand around Yugi's and a small smile cornered at his mouth. The small elf smiled and leant his head on the older's arm. I'm glad I can share this time with them. This is what I've been missing all these years: Friends like Malik and Ryou and humans who don't discriminate like Bakura and Marik…and then….someone I love. Violet eyes peeked up at Yami and he grinned brilliantly at the crimson eyes shining back down at him.

 

123

 

Yugi and Yami were both rudely awakened Christmas morning by two energetic males and air being crudely thrown from their bodies. Violet eyes cracked open when the bouncing of the mattress finally stopped. The first thing he saw was Yami glaring halfheartedly at someone the elf couldn't see. Rubbing sleep from his eyes with the back of his hand he used the other to push the top cover away from his face. At first he thought it was his two newest elfin friends, but taking a closer look he realized it was actually Bakura and Malik. Both had identical, smirking grins plastered on their faces.

 

In the next few seconds Yugi's body was covered with goose-bumps as the sheets were tossed of him and the chill of the room attacked him, a strong pair of arms grabbed effortlessly at his shoulders, and then he was shivering in a heap on the floor with Yami's voice ringing loudly in his ears.

 

“…just heave him off the bed like that!” The crimson-eyed teen was at his side next and rubbing soothing circles into his back. His eyes closed sleepily and the hand suddenly left. When he opened his eyes Malik was pouting girlishly with hands on his hips.

 

“Don't put him back to sleep, Yami,” he whined in a shrill voice that made Yugi cover his ears.

 

Bakura was in front of Yugi next, petting his hair and stroking his ears in just the right spot that, if he were a cat, he would have purred. Yami watched the action with jealously pooling in his stomach for someone else touching his elf so easily. He was ready to tear the fake albino from Yugi when Bakura stopped and looked sweetly into the younger male's glassed-over eyes.

 

“You want to open presents, Yugi,” he asked gaily. The look in his eyes was only too obvious to Yami though. The sparkle hidden in the hazel depths and the way they shined in a way that made him appear younger than he was. Bakura was talking to Yugi simply because he knew Yami couldn't say, “no,” to the elf. His cousin had been brought up having to wait for everyone ready to open presents on Christmas.

 

Glad to know some of his upbringing is being put to use no matter how manipulative he's being to get his way right now.

 

Yugi looked down, tugging at one of his ears roughly. He mumbled something and Bakura leant down to listen. Yami jumped when Bakura jumped backwards, staring wide-eyed at the tri-colored haired boy.

 

“That's not right,” he said with a dry voice. Malik joined his side and both shared a look. Yami crossed his arms and waited. Knowing those two he wasn't going to get answers until the two felt like sharing. Then again, Yugi would tell him if he asked what he said, but something in his gut told him the duo wouldn't allow that to happen.

 

“I wouldn't allow such an outrageous occurrence,” Malik announced loudly. “Yugi, you're coming downstairs.” With that he grabbed the smaller elf's arms while, at the same moment, Bakura grabbed his legs and they carried Yugi from the room. Yami followed after them quickly, shouting warnings if they thought they were going to run swing Yugi into something and hurt him.

 

Marik and Ryou met the four of them at the bottom of the stairs with a very irritated Tea between them. Marik had his arm wrapped around her shoulders loosely, though it was obvious to everyone that he was merely keeping her in place. Ryou just smiled at their comical arrival.

 

“There's sweets in the oven,” the albino announced. If it wasn't for Yami standing next to Bakura, Yugi would've dropped and fell the rest of the way down the stairs when the hazel-eyed human dropped him at the mention of sugary convections. Yami cursed and yelled at his crude behavior but it fell on deaf ears.

 

Bakura and Malik made a beeline for the kitchen while Tea chased after them, threatening the two of them if they messed up the kitchen. Ryou and Malik helped pick Yugi up off the floor and laughed at their companions antics.

 

“I'm sorry about that, Yugi,” Ryou chuckled. “I forgot how hyper those two can be with sugar.”

 

Marik smirked and slapped the youngest elf playfully on the back. “They're sure to bring platefuls with them so why don't we go set up in the living room and wait?”

 

Sure enough, the two hyper ones appeared in the living room followed by Tea carrying a plate in each hands filled with sweets and candies fresh from the oven.

 

“I think you outdid yourself this time, Tea,” Bakura laughed, maneuvering a cookie into his mouth and munching happily.

 

After everyone had finally settled down Tea volunteered to hand out the presents. Bakura was the first to receive a package and he tore into it like it would save his life. When he first saw the present-shaped music box he thought Ryou was trying to pull a fast one on him by wrapping his gift more than once. When he took the lid off though everyone was silent as the gentle melody drifted into their ears like a dream.

 

“Oh, Ryou,” Bakura choked. “It's lovely.” He gently placed the music box on the floor and then proceeded to rain kisses on the white-haired elf.

 

Malik laughed and shook his head. “He's a total sucker for music boxes,” he mused to himself. Marik knocked him over the head playfully before pulling him into lap.

 

“I was getting lonely,” he said as way of explanation, though Malik would've sat there with or without one a justification.

 

Marik was the next one to open his gift. He had his arms wrapped around Malik as he maneuvered his hands to tear the wrapping paper to shreds. Shaking it first he pouted that Malik never made it easy for him to guess before paper started to fly. A pool of glittery blue paper surrounded the two in seconds and the box lid was dropped from the human's stiff fingers as his magenta eyes couldn't pull away from the black leather material inside the container.

 

No words were exchanged before Malik's neck was forced around by daft fingers and his mouth was attacked by Marik's forceful one. Moans and the sounds of saliva were only heard and Tea quickly blushed and started talking loudly and with random things to block it out.

 

After the long, yet fulfilling “thank you” from Marik, Yugi stood up before the head maid to touch another present. He took the small package the two elves had helped him wrap the day before and cradled it preciously in his arms. “Yami, this is for you. I wanted to get you something special that showed you just how important you are to me.”

 

Ryou and Malik watched with held breaths as Yugi handed the wrapped parcel to the crimson-eyed human. The elf bit his lip when Yami began tearing at the paper slowly, his eyes narrowly focused on the task. When he opened the white container inside his breath gave out and he stared up at Yugi with adoration filling his eyes. Marik and Bakura strained their necks to see what it was that was so small could cause such a remarkable reaction.

 

Inside the small back was a small, silver chain wrapped around the inside of the box. In the heart of the winding sequence nestled a silver locket in the form of a circle. From the small hinges on the side Yami could tell he was looking at the back, but even from the backside the locket was already something dear to him for on the rear of the locket, engraved carefully and precisely, was the symbol that was born on the both Yugi's wrist and the last pages of the tome from the castle.

 

“Yugi,” his voice choked. It was hard for the young lord not to cry at the sight of the locket. Yami knew how sensitive the small elf was about the branded symbol and for this to be engraved he surely would've had to show it to the shopkeeper for longer than a stealing glance.

 

Yugi smiled a small grin. “There's more,” he said quietly.

 

With gentle fingers Yugi turned the pendant around and stared at the beautiful figures carved into the metallic locket. Licking his lips to wet them he mouthed the words that he saw, “Wai Loricyia Yadi Morana.”

 

Ryou and Malik read the unspeaking lips and shared a knowing look. Yugi had debated for so long in the shop about which words would be the perfect ones. They knew now that their fellow elf would never regret his choice.

 

Yami looked up at his elf with a tear-filled smile. The words themselves sounded like divine words of a melodious note. He knew it was elfish for something, but in his heart he already knew what the words symbolized and meant at the same time. He put the small box on the smooth surface of the table and brought Yugi to them. They shared a kiss as well, but it was neither fast or intense. It was slow and beautiful and it caused everyone to both want to look away out of respect for the couple and watch for how alluring it was to watch them.

 

It didn't last long for either of the two but it was enough to get their feelings across in so short a time. Yugi smiled sweetly at the crimson-eyed male and mouthed out in Yami's own tongue, “I love you always.”

 

123

 

New Years was loud and festive for Castle Town. All day people were decorating the city and playing loud, energetic music. When night fell couples were dancing around the fountain and music drifted through the air like the wind at the beach.

 

Yami, Yugi, and everyone else were watching from the roof. They too had shared some dances, but preferred watching everyone else. Tea had insisted in joining the party though and Bakura had stashed a basketful of paper balls to throw at her every chance they got. Even the maid laughed at his childishness though and even waved back while laughing each time she was hit before continuing what she was doing.

 

Fireworks exploded in color at midnight and the three couples on the roof kissed for the first minute of the New Year. Yami's pendant reflected with color as each flower of dynamite bloomed in the sky. Bakura's music box mixed with the music of the party below. Marik sported his vest for all to see. Malik's eyes rarely tore away from the amethyst-jeweled ring on his hand. Ryou's hair was pulled back by a leather strap with a matching jacket adorning his shoulders. And Yugi enjoyed the Egyptian blanket Yami bought for him.

 

As the sun began to rise on the first day of the New Year, Yugi made a wish with all the hopefulness that he could muster. He spoke clearly in the crisp of the cold dawn as everyone slept around him peacefully. “I wish that everyone will be able to live happily every after.”

 

123

 

Head elf Seto stared out in the new dawn with narrowed, frozen-blue eyes. “Today's the day,” he announced to the elders as well as his life mate, Joey. “War on the humans will start at the beginning of the year's fresh moon.”

 

The elves in the room shouted their agreement with fists raised and eyes burning with hatred towards the humans.

 

“Humans make promises they don't keep. They don't pass down things that should and they don't bother remember things that shouldn't be forgotten. This second war of elf and human will end all things!” Seto watched everyone in the room shout their agreement once more; all except one, however. Joey watched with dull honey eyes at the eager festivities of his fellow eyes.

 

“Joey, what troubles you,” Seto asked, wrapping his arms around his blonde lover.

 

Staring into the now warm blue eyes Joey replied, “Is war really the answer, Seto? So much blood will be shed and it will be like sinking beneath the humans if we attack them so ruthlessly.”

 

“We're doing nothing but what they deserve, my love.” Seto kissed Joey's temple and held the blonde tightly in his arms.