Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Fly Away Home ❯ Artist’s Rendition ( Chapter 11 )

Disclaimer: Plain and simple. I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh.

Alas, I also did not invent the Milky Way candy bar, or Apple Fritters.

A/N: Uh, hello there! Remember me? I hope you have some vague memory since it has taken me so long to write this chapter. It took me awhile to figure out what needed to be done to get Yami and Yuugi from bed (ahem) and into the next conflict. This actually turned out to be a set-up chapter, but I tried to make it more interesting by adding humor and a little fluff. I hope by the time you finish reading this you aren't feeling wholly disappointed. So, without further ado, here is chapter eleven.

Enjoy!

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Fly Away Home

By Ocean

Chapter Eleven: Artist's Rendition

The sun's rays extended forth over the contents of the room, passing through the window with ease and reaching out for the two bodies that lay in the bed. It caressed them softly, trying to alert them to the dawning of a new day, to coax them from the softness of their bed and out into the world where it could better see them.

A pair of eyes clenched more tightly as the light of the sun spread over them, a vain attempt to keep the penetrating light from waking their host. Yami released a deep sigh as he relented to the sun's wishes, blinking his eyes open and pulling himself from the pleasant haze he was wrapped in. He found himself looking at something flesh colored, his nose and forehead pressed against the object. It took several moments for Yami's mind to wake enough to realize that it was Yuugi's chest he was pressed against.

As his other senses slowly followed, in a sense yawning with the sluggishness of their arousal, Yami came to better understand his position. At some point during the night, he and Yuugi had rolled onto their sides, facing each other. Yuugi still clung tightly to him, his arms wrapped around Yami's shoulders and waist, his face still buried in his hair as Yami could feel his rhythmic breath. Yami wiggled his fingers, only then realizing that he had his arms folded and his hands beneath his chin.

Yami turned his hand, playing his fingers lightly against the smoothness of Yuugi's chest, his eyes only open half way as his thoughts drifted to the night before. Even though he had been the one to initiate the actions of the evening, he was still at a loss as to how powerful the emotions had been. In his darkest hour since waking to this new world, Yuugi had managed to chase away his demons, to banish his self-doubt, to reassert the confidence and clarity he desperately clung to in order to keep himself whole.

Yuugi shifted in his sleep, incoherent mumbling spilling from his lips as he turned over, spooning himself against Yami and burying his head beneath his chin. Yami readjusted his robe, pulling it so it covered Yuugi again before resting his arm over Yuugi's chest and his leg over his hips. Yuugi released a contented sigh, his mumbling quieting as he drifted back to sleep.

Yami propped his head on his free hand so he could better watch Yuugi sleep, his other hand continuing to rub soothing patterns along Yuugi's chest. Upon first inspection, one would not expect the strength of the soul that resided in so delicate a frame. Yami himself had dismissed Yuugi at their first meeting, not bothering to look beyond the tender and childlike features of the young man that was now laying flush and vulnerable against him. To think, he had almost overlooked this treasure, had almost cast him aside as easily as one flings a cloth. And for no other reason than his arrogance, his intangible need to feel above others, to feel superior and dismiss those who would dismiss him just as quickly.

Yami leaned his head down and nuzzled against the side of Yuugi's face, trying to calm the sounds that had started to emanate from him. To think, after all those centuries spent in the darkness with nothing more than the Shadows to keep him company... after all that time spent away from other people, in a place where he was not judged, or dismissed, or considered less than he was... All that time, and he had yet to discover how to determine who was friend and who was foe.

Yuugi whimpered lightly as his brows creased, outward evidence of the dream he was having. He began squirming against Yami's possessive embrace, a slight panic rising within him when he was unable to pull free. Yami's brows furrowed as he watched the light struggles of his lover, concern growing when Yuugi failed to wake when he kissed his cheek.

"Hikari?" Yami whispered into Yuugi's ear, hoping to wake him. When Yuugi failed to respond, he repeated the word, speaking in a louder tone.

Yuugi still refused to wake, turning his face into his pillow, trying to hide from whatever it was his mind was showing him. Yami pulled himself to a sitting position, bringing Yuugi with him, expecting the movement to wake him. Again, Yuugi refused to wake, a few moans of distress escaping him as his eyes clenched tightly together. Yami placed his hands on Yuugi's shoulders, shaking him lightly, fear clawing at him as he was unable to break through the dream that had taken Yuugi's mind prisoner.

He was growing frustrated with his inability to help Yuugi as Yuugi had helped him. He had an obligation to help him, to protect and guide him as Yuugi had taken his hand and shown him his world. It was inconceivable that he would be unable to do the same when Yuugi could banish the Shadows from his soul with nothing more than a glance. He started shaking Yuugi harder, his anger and disappointment with himself fueling his actions.

"Nhs, Yuugi!" Yami snapped, his desperation evident in the command.

Yuugi's eyes snapped open at the harshness of Yami's voice, their brilliant color clouded with sleep and confusion as he was thrust violently into the waking world. He struggled against the hands on his shoulders until one raised itself to his face, cupping his cheek. He stilled as he recognized Yami's touch, gulping a deep breath of air and holding it, releasing it slowly as he tried to calm the rapid beating of his heart.

Closing his eyes again, Yuugi let himself fall against Yami's chest, willing the images of his dream to leave as he found comfort in the texture of Yami's skin and the beating of his heart. He felt warmth spread through him as Yami wrapped his free arm around him tightly, holding him as close as possible, encasing him in his strong and protective embrace. Yuugi allowed himself several moments to absorb everything about his Yami, focusing his mind on his size, his weight, his feel, his touch, his warmth, his breath, anything to force his dream out of his mind.

Yami slid his hand along Yuugi's side, offering what comfort he could. He felt Yuugi's body still, its shivering slowing as Yuugi's breaths came more easily. Once he was certain that the immediate effects of the dream had left, he brought his hands to Yuugi's face, easing him back so he could look him in the eyes. Yuugi blinked wearily at him before smiling softly, nodding his head to indicate that he was alright.

Yami creased his brow, running his fingers over Yuugi's cheeks and eyelids. "Iw Tw Xnmt?" Yami asked, his voice laced with concern. Yuugi closed his eyes with Yami's gentle touches, leaning into the hand that was distributing the soft caress. Yami sighed. He held Yuugi's head still and leaned forward, resting their foreheads together.

Yuugi raised his hands in turn, placing them over Yami's and interlacing their fingers. Now that he knew he was safe, Yuugi tried to turn his thoughts inwards to the dream that had distressed him and frightened Yami. He was confused when he could not remember the images that had claimed him, finding that in his efforts to banish them, he had banished his memory of them completely. Well, whatever the dream had been, it was over now and he was back with Yami, warm and safe and protected and loved.

Yami watched Yuugi as his eyes drifted close, his breathing slowing as sleep began to reclaim the one it had lost. Yami moved one of his hands to the back of Yuugi's neck, supporting his head as with his other hand he guided Yuugi back onto the bed, following him down.

"Nqdd," Yami whispered as he placed a light kiss against Yuugi's lips and trailed the back of his fingers along his chest. Yuugi mumbled some sort of reply as the simple spell Yami was weaving around his mind guided him back to sleep, a sleep that promised not to house any unpleasant dreams.

Yami pulled himself away from his Hikari, missing the warmth the smaller body provided as he sat up so he could remove his robe. Once the robe was tucked around Yuugi, Yuugi clasping it under his chin in his sleep, Yami made his way to the bathroom. It had been made painfully clear to him that in his current condition, he was unable to protect Yuugi from even the simplest of threats. He needed to remedy the situation immediately, and he was certain that Yuugi would not approve of what he had to do. Hence the sleeping spell.

Yami quickly drew a bath and cleaned himself, settling his mind into the grim task that lay before him. He had hoped that upon waking to this new world that he would be free of the Shadows and the maintenance that they required. That he would no longer have to venture out into the world and aid the Shadows in their collection of human experience so they would allow him to fully utilize their power.

He sighed as he dressed himself. The Shadows were not going to be pleased. Not only was he going to be deceiving them, he was planning to use their shared magics to protect Yuugi, someone they plainly hated.

They were going to be even further displeased when they realized that he was going to use the whole of his power to protect Yuugi from them.

No. The Shadows were not going to be pleased at all.

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Sugoroku folded his newspaper and placed it on the kitchen table. He took a final sip of his drink before standing and walking into the living room, his attention having been caught by the sudden blare of the television. He was prepared to lean against the doorframe and offer his comments about the noise until he realized that it was Yami who had turned the television on. He was clutching his hands over his ears in a desperate attempt to block out the obtrusive sounds.

Sugoroku rushed over to the young man, pulling the remote from his hand and pressing the `mute' button, immediately silencing the rock video. Yami opened his eyes slowly, looking at Sugoroku and the button he had pushed. He raised his eyebrow in consideration as he took the remote back from Sugoroku, eyeing the button that the older man had pushed.

Yami studied the device in his hand further. He had witnessed Yuugi and his grandfather using the mechanism several times, and understood that it controlled the images in the square device that they watched nightly. He had managed to find the correct button to turn the device on, but had been unprepared for the sudden increase in volume when his finger hit the volume button.

Deciding that he did not need to listen to a language he did not understand, Yami didn't bother turning the sound back on and settled for flipping through the channels, looking for a specific image. Sugoroku stepped back and watched the pharaoh as he did a good impression of a channel surfer. His lips twitched in amusement at the thought.

Yami paused his search as he came across a news broadcast, dropping the remote unceremoniously on the couch as he straightened his posture. Sugoroku moved his attention to the woman on the television, listening as she gave her report. She was speaking about the increase of murders in the city, the gruesome deaths leaving no clue as to who it was that was committing the crimes. All that was ever found was blood and broken bodies that in many cases could not be identified.

Yami showed no outward effects to the images being shown. He had suspected as much. Physical pain and suffering were two of the Shadows most favored of human experiences. Having never felt such emotions before, the Shadows found that they could not satisfy their hunger for the emotions. However, there was another emotion that the Shadows had never experienced.

Love.

Yami suppressed a sigh as the images of those who had been slain continued to flash across the screen, interspersed with scenes of family members crying at the loss of their loved ones. The Shadows, for a fleeting moment, had felt the elusive emotion from Yami the night before, before Yami had savagely thrown them from his mind with Yuugi's aid. Yuugi's love was something meant only for him, and he absolutely refused to share the emotion with anyone. Especially not with the Shadows.

The Shadows had been furious with their son when he refused to share the new and raw emotion that had suddenly coursed through his veins. Unwilling to harm him, however, the Shadows had chosen to lash out at the world, at the people and places that had corrupted their son and turned him against them.

Sugoroku observed Yami quietly. He truly was a king, standing tall and regal, his shoulders back and his head held high. His crimson eyes were fixed on the screen, betraying no emotion, no thought, no indication of what he might be feeling. Sugoroku found it difficult to take his eyes from him, the commanding presence of the pharaoh overwhelming in the small room. Also, his only alternatives were the gruesome images on the television or the line of cars outside the shop's window.

Sugoroku's body stiffened as he noticed a minute change in Yami. It was hardly noticeable, but it was screaming evidence that Yami was reacting to something on the television. His eyes had sharpened significantly, their multitude of color solidifying into a single shade of ruby. Sugoroku turned his eyes to the television to see what had caught the pharaoh's attention.

There.

So that's where they were. Yami narrowed his eyes at the corners as he recognized the small ball of light that danced about behind the man reporting live at a particularly gruesome scene, its path captured by the camera but dismissed as a reflection of the sun off the lens. Yami furrowed his brows lightly in irritation since he did not recognize the location.

Sugoroku pursed his lips as he watched Yami utilize a small portion of his magic, the symbol of Horus' Eye glowing faintly on his forehead, his eyes hazing over in a red hue. He wasn't surprised that Yami was beginning to use his magic again. He was actually puzzled that Yami had waited this long to do so. But he also knew that Yami wouldn't just use his magic for any reason. He was up to something... had a mission, a purpose.

Sugoroku glanced down the hallway towards Yuugi's room. After the morning of Pegasus' visit, Sugoroku was more than a bit surprised not to see his grandson rise with the pharaoh. He cast a suspicious eye to Yami, who was still working his magic and therefor ignoring him.

What had they been up to?

He didn't have time to think on it further as Yami blinked, his eyes clearing and the Eye of Horus disappearing from his forehead. He turned and immediately made his way to the door, pausing only in a moment of surprise as when he opened the door, he found the prone form of Jou, his hand raised and ready to knock.

"Oh, uh, hey Yami!" Jou greeted as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Jou," Yami acknowledged, to both Jou's and Sugoroku's surprise. Yami watched Jou calmly, waiting for him to understand that he needed to step aside so he could pass.

Jou blinked, realization dawning on him as he danced to the side, giving Yami clear passage. He turned back to the door, ready to extend his greeting to Yuugi, who he was certain would be following Yami. His mouth fell open as he only saw empty space, and he quickly turned his head to Yami's retreating form.

"Hey Yami! Where ya goin'?" Jou shouted out after him. Sugoroku shook his head. Jou still didn't seem to realize that a language barrier could not be breached with an increase in volume.

"Mn," Yami said without turning around as he followed the curve of the sidewalk and disappeared from view. Jou stood dumbfounded for a moment before finally making his way into the small home.

"Hey Grampa," Jou said as he took a seat on the couch. Sugoroku nodded his greeting. "Where was he off ta in sucha hurry?"

"I don't know, Jou," Sugoroku said as he came and sat on the couch as well. He picked up the remote Yami had dropped and turned off the television, tired of the images the news insisted on showing.

"Hmm," Jou considered. "I never though' I'd see `im go anywheres wit'ou' Yug." He looked around, leaning over the back of the couch to peer into the kitchen. "Where iz Yug, anyways?"

"Still sleeping," Sugoroku answered as he raised his hands to cover his face.

Jou repositioned himself on the couch. "No kiddin'? I mus' a'mit I'm surprised by dat. He's always been da one ta ge' on my case abou' sleepin' da mornin' away. So `ere I am, brigh' an early, an' he is da one dat iz sleepin' late."

Sugoroku grunted. Truer words had never been spoken by Yuugi's friend. He leaned forward on the couch, resting his arms on his knees. He didn't know what to think anymore. Yami was obviously returning to his former self. The Shadows were angry, killing at will as they explored the city. Yuugi no longer acted like himself, a more confident and aggressive personality emerging in place of the shy and quiet youth he had been before meeting Yami.

Everything was changing. Sugoroku wasn't a man who embraced change, preferring his daily routine and the people he knew to remain exactly as they were. Change brought tension, tension brought conflict, and conflict... well, many roads led from conflict. And many of them were covered in blood.

Sugoroku blinked when he realized that Jou was speaking to him, embarrassment coloring his cheeks when he realized that Jou had apparently been speaking for quite some time. He alerted Jou to the fact and asked him to repeat himself.

"I waz jus' sayin' how weird it iz ou' dere," Jou said. "People are panicking, packin' dere cars an' leavin' town as quick as dey can. Where do they think they are goin'?"

"Away from here. Someplace they feel safe."

"Bu' if ever'ding you have told us iz true, den dere is no safe place ta run. Dis iz jus' da beginnin'. So dey migh' as well stay here an' enjoy demselves while dey can," Jou stated as he propped his feet on the coffee table.

Sugoroku eyed Jou wearily. "Not everyone has the fortunate insight you do, Jou." He paused for a moment, observing Jou's relaxed posture as he reached into his pocket and fished out his Milky Way candy bar. "You seem rather accepting of this whole situation."

Jou took a bite of his candy, chewing thoughtfully as he considered his reply. "Well... Look a' it dis way. I have two choices. I can act like everyone ou' dere," Jou pointed towards the window and the line of cars visible, "an' be all scared an' running outta here wit' my tail between my legs. Or," he paused for dramatic affect, "I can stay here an' try ta do something `bout it. Ya know, help Yami and Yuugi out. I mean, if I don', da Shadows are jus' gonna win anyway, no matters where I am. So consi'ering all dat, I'd rather stay here an' help."

Sugoroku smiled softly, a mischievous spark flashing across his eyes. "So long as the Shadows don't try to destroy the world during lunch."

Jou winked, taking another bit of his Milky Way. "Youze gonna open shop taday?"

Sugoroku stood from the couch, reaching his arms above his head in a full out stretch. He yawned once before heading for the kitchen. "I don't think that is necessary today. But that doesn't mean there isn't work to do."

Jou stuffed the rest of his candy bar into his mouth and hopped over the back of the couch. Sugoroku looked at him surprised. "Needa hand?" Jou offered.

Sugoroku nodded his head thankfully and led Jou back into his game store.

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Jou gingerly opened the closed door, careful not to make any noise so as not to disturb the sleeping occupant inside the room. He smirked to himself as he noticed that Yuugi was still asleep, clenching a red bathrobe over his head so only a few strands of hair and his toes were visible.

Tip toeing to the side of the bed, Jou planted himself on its edge, grinning down where he thought Yuugi's face to be. When Yuugi still failed to move, he cleared his throat loudly. Yuugi shifted at the sound, lifting the robe high enough so he could peak out from beneath his self crafted hole. Not liking the light that greeted him, he immediately brought the robe back over his face, groaning as he tried not to wake up.

"Nah uh, no' dis time, Sleepin' Beauty," Jou chuckled as he took hold of the robe and pulled it down, revealing the sleep impaired face of his best friend. "Itz time fur youze ta move ya butt from dat bed."

Yuugi blinked slowly, his plum colored eyes laden with sleep. His mind woke partially, enough to realize that Jou was the one who had woken him and therefor was the proper recipient of the glare that was forming on Yuugi's face.

"Jou, what are you doing here?" Yuugi asked, his words partially slurred with sleep. He tugged on the robe. Jou tugged back. A tug-of-war ensued. "You're never up this early," he said as he furrowed his brows, intensifying his efforts to reclaim his robe.

Jou laughed. "Early? Yug, it's noon."

Yuugi paused in his tugging, blinking in confusion at the new information. "Noon?" he repeated, pronouncing the word as though he had never heard it before. Eventually he shrugged, resuming his battle with Jou. "That still doesn't give you an excuse to come in here and steal my bathrobe."

Jou smirked as he suddenly released the robe, the force of Yuugi's insistent pulling causing him to fall flat onto the bed. Yuugi blinked in surprise, the suddenness of the action shocking his sleep burdened mind. He shook his head lightly before sitting up again, folding his legs to his chest and pulling the bathrobe up to his chin. He glared one last time at the smile on Jou's face before blowing his bangs from his eyes and putting the matter behind him. At least he had his bathrobe now.

"It's really noon?" Yuugi asked through a yawn. Jou nodded once. Yuugi buried his face in his knees, sighing as he tried to wake up completely. "Wonder why I slept so long..." he mused.

Jou studied Yuugi carefully, taking in his disheveled appearance, the exceptional wildness of his hair, the relaxation of his body, the seeming lack of clothing beneath the robe he was clutching to himself. An evil smirk graced his face as a knowing look enveloped his eyes.

"Yug?" he asked, his tone barely hiding his devious intentions. Yuugi grunted his reply, not bothering to lift his head from his knees. "Perhaps ya simply need ta condition yurself for yur new found activity."

Jou could not contain his laughter as a single violet eye peered at him from beneath the long strands of ebony hair that fell over Yuugi's face. He slid back to the foot of the bed, well out of reach of the emanate physical harm that one eye was promising, his laughter not diminishing with the distance. He brought his feet up onto the bed, resting his back against the foot board and making himself comfortable.

Yuugi continued to stare at Jou, a mixture of embarrassment, annoyance, and pride battling within him. Embarrassment that Jou had so easily discovered his and Yami's... activities of the previous night. Annoyance for that same fact, and also at the absolute amusement Jou was finding with the situation. Pride that he was not shying away from Jou, or ashamed with himself, or pleading with Jou to keep his knowledge a secret.

"Perhaps," Yuugi said casually as he leaned back against his headboard, adopting a similar position to Jou. Jou's laughter died a bit at the casual response, surprised by Yuugi's non-reaction to his ribbing. "The thing is, though, that I woke up this morning-"

"Go figure."

Yuugi ignored Jou's flippant remark. "Actually, Yami woke me up." And then, distractedly, "Where is he by the way?"

"Ou' tourin' da city." Jou raised a questioning brow when Yuugi merely nodded his head in response, not at all surprised or worried that Yami was out on his own as he and Sugoroku had been.

"I had a bad dream or something, I think," Yuugi continued. "It scarred Yami though. Badly. I guess it took him a long time to wake me up or something, because by the time he did he was furious."

"A' you?" Jou asked.

"No no," Yuugi said as he shook his head to emphasize his point. "No, not at me. At himself, I think. Because he wasn't able to help me sooner." Yuugi sighed as his head rolled back against the headboard. "I wish I could remember what I was dreaming about... I have this nagging feeling that it was something important, or Yami would have been able to wake me sooner than he did."

Jou's eyes softened as he watched Yuugi struggle to find his elusive answers. "Or maybe i' was nothin', Yuugi. Maybe ya jus' hada bad dream." Jou let the thought hang in the air for a few moments before continuing. "I know dings are kinda wacky righ' now, wha' wit da freaky magics an' all, bu' we gotta keep a perspective on things. No' every bad thing dat happens iz because of da Shadows, an' no' every good thing dat happens iz free from d'ere influence. I mean, if it weren' for dem, I wouldn' get ta see my bes' bud as happy as he iz right now."

Yuugi pulled his head forward from the headboard, his eyes lowered to his robe and a light blush on his cheeks as he smiled softly at Jou's words. "I understand what you mean now, Jou. When you talk about Mai, how you feel about her. I could never quite grasp your meaning before." He raised his hand, turning his eyes so they could watch as he slowly curled his fingers into his palm. "It really is amazing. I can still feel his touch, I can remember exactly how his hand fits over mine. I know the softness of his hair, the brilliance of his eyes, the ease with which he makes my heart flutter and all other matters seem unimportant."

Yuugi chuckled as he pulled himself back to reality. "You see? Now when was the last time you heard me talk like that?"

"Ya talk like dat all da time, Yug." Jou nodded towards the easel resting against the far wall. Yuugi turned his head, following Jou's motion. He looked back at his friend, slight confusion crinkling his brows. "Ya jus' don' realize it. I'm sure Yami would agree."

The glow that surrounded Yuugi dimmed as he was reminded of a painful fact. "We can't even understand each other. It's so... so frustrating! How do you fall in love with someone you can't communicate with?"

"`Can' commun'cate'? Ya mus' no' be awake yet." Jou was pleased with the glare he received. It meant Yuugi was paying attention. "You two commun'cate way better dan anyone else I've eva seen. Ya don' expec' me ta believe dat you think you two don' understan' exac'ly wha' da other iz thinking a' all times."

Yuugi reluctantly removed the glare from his face and replaced it with a slightly less harsh frown. "That, that wasn't what I meant." He sighed deeply. "I just want to talk with him again, Jou. The few opportunities we've had have been shrouded in life or death struggles. I want to talk to him like this, like I'm talking with you. I just want to sit and... talk."

Jou folded his legs beneath him, sneaking his hands to the edge of Yuugi's bathrobe. His fingers curled around the material, carefully so as not to catch Yuugi's attention. "Have patience, Yug. Ya neva know wha' migh' happen next."

Yuugi's features brightened for a moment-

"JOU!"

The exclamation did nothing to curb Jou's laughter as he reinitiated the tug-of-war. Despite the verbal lashing he was receiving from Yuugi, he was thankful that he had been able to pull Yuugi from the depression he had seen seeping into him. He heightened his efforts to claim Yuugi's robe as he noticed the mischievous sparkle in his best friend's eyes, determined not to just let Yuugi win because of the mood he had been in. No. If Yuugi wanted to keep his robe and modesty intact, he was going to have to earn the right.

The war ensued for quite some time, neither side gaining ground until Yuugi suddenly lifted his head and looked towards the door, his face barely able to contain the smile that graced his lips. Jou grinned in triumph, thinking he had won when he was able to pull on the robe with little resistance. When Yuugi made no verbal protest, he raised his head to see what had caught his attention.

The smile remained on Yuugi's face as Yami entered the room, his arm held suspiciously behind his back, hiding from view whatever it was he had in his hand. A smirk adorned his lips and his eyes shone with an internal flame as he glided over to Yuugi, ignoring Jou as he sat on the side of the bed. He leaned forward and rubbed his nose against Yuugi's in greeting, his smirk evolving into a soft smile as the action brought forth a quiet giggle from his Hikari.

Jou tried to steal a glance at what Yami had hidden in his hand, but he couldn't tell what the item was as it was wrapped in such a fashion as to hide its shape from all prying eyes. He scowled at the offensive paper, and focused all his attention on determining what the object was.

Yami waited for Yuugi to quiet down, enjoying the time he spent looking into Yuugi's vibrant eyes and gentle features, his golden bangs falling delightfully over his eyes and stirring deep emotions in Yami. He brought his free hand forward, brushing the backs of his fingers gently over Yuugi's cheek, allowing his fingers to linger on the soft skin as his eyes momentarily lowered to Yuugi's smiling lips.

"Sp n nD Hr pe hrw, Hikari," Yami said quietly, his voice bordering on the edges of being husky. He leaned forward slowly, folding his leg on the bed so he could better balance himself. His eyes began to close instinctively as he sought out his desire, just barely touching his lips to Yuugi's before pulling back, his lips parting as the teasing touch rapidly increased the beating of his heart.

Yuugi grinned as Yami pulled back, but not far enough so he was out of reach of Yuugi's nose as Yuugi nuzzled him lightly. He was enjoying this tease, anticipation burning within him as Yami leaned in again, tilting his head as he left another fleeting kiss on Yuugi's parted lips, just enough contact to leave Yuugi aching for more. A small chuckle escaped Yuugi, his joy bubbling over into the pleasant sound.

"N grg..."

Yami straightened his fingers somewhat along Yuugi's jaw, holding his head in place as he leaned forward and pulled Yuugi's upper lip between his own. He was pleased when he felt Yuugi close his lips around his, but made no further action to continue the kiss, submitting fully and eagerly to Yami's desires. Yami remained still for a moment, letting the memory of the previous night fully penetrate both of their minds, allowing their bodies to remember the feel of the other and the pleasure the other could bring. He parted his lips and exchanged Yuugi's upper lip for his lower, eliciting a small sigh of pleasure from Yuugi.

Yami continued this action, his lips never leaving Yuugi's as he occasionally parted his lips and caressed whichever lip had been neglected while its partner was receiving his thorough attention. Yuugi followed every move, aware that Yami was causing him to open his mouth at will, and finding that knowledge to be extremely arousing. He valiantly fought the moan that begged to reach Yami's ears so it could tell him just how much Yuugi was enjoying the prolonged kiss.

Yami's tongue soon grew jealous of the fun his lips were having, joining in the festivities at one of the many intervals when the kiss paused so Yami could claim a new prisoner. It showed some restraint as it glided slowly along the heated flesh, slick and smooth and soft as it pranced confidently to the sensitive area on the inside of Yuugi's lips. This time Yuugi was unable to suppress the moan of appreciation, his entire body tingling with the pure emotion Yami was pouring into him.

Yuugi casually raised his hands and cupped Yami's face, careful not to hinder any of his movements. His fingertips barely brushed along the cool skin, and he knew the touch was welcome when Yami's kiss became a bit more forceful, a bit more heated as its original intent was slowly being abandoned for a more carnal desire.

Jou kept his eyes averted from the pair, feeling as though to watch would be to intrude on a highly personal and possibly sacred moment. He couldn't fight the grin on his face though, truly feeling joy that his best friend had found such happiness, had found someone to properly love and treasure him. Carefully he stood from the bed, doing his best not to make any sound or do anything that would disturb his friends' intimate moment. He had just made it to his feet and taken a step...

"Ah! So dat's wha' it iz!"

Yami and Yuugi both halted the kiss, eyes popping open in confusion at Jou's sudden outburst, partly because both of them had forgotten he was in the room. Yuugi reluctantly turned his head away from Yami and eyed his friend, his body giving every indication of his irritation at being interrupted.

"What are you talking about?" Yuugi asked quickly, his breath a little shallow. "What what is?"

Jou turned and pointed enthusiastically to the object being crushed in Yami's hand by the force of his grip, his fingers having curled into the object as the kiss had progressed. A triumphant grin was on his face, his thoughts completely focused on his discovery.

Yuugi creased his brows, reaching behind Yami's back and guiding his hand between them so he could see what Yami was holding. Yami turned his hand and flattened his palm, giving Yuugi access so he could unwrap the object. Once it had been revealed Yuugi's brows crinkled further before he looked to Jou again.

"Jou, it's just a doughnut," he said slowly, as though explaining the idea to a toddler. For a moment, Yuugi thought he had offended Jou with the statement. Jou was looking at him as though he had a screw loose.

"Jus' a doughnut? I don' think so. Dat, my friend, iz an apple fritter. How dare youze insul' it by callin' it `jus' a doughnut.' Youze should be ashamed of yurself." And with that said, Jou turned and left the room, heading for the kitchen so he could raid the refrigerator.

Yuugi blinked after him, a sense of wonder enveloping his mind that Jou could place so much emphasis on a pastry. It wasn't as though he had been busy, engaged in something far more appealing and satisfying than a doughnut. He looked to Yami, amused to see his lover trying to hide his annoyance at being interrupted by focusing on the delicacy in his hand.

Yami broke off a piece of the marvelous pastry and popped it into his mouth, rolling the flavor over his tongue before swallowing. The taste was so interesting! Sweet and salty at the same time, crispy while being soft and springy when he bit into it. There was a fruit hidden in the mass, interspersed to provide a pleasant surprise when one found a piece. He broke off another sample and raised it to Yuugi's lips, tossing it into his mouth.

Yuugi grinned as he watched Yami pick at the doughnut, his fascination with the pastry mirroring that of a child when given their first cookie. He raised an eyebrow as he noted the agitated manner in which Yami was eating the doughnut, roughly tearing pieces off before popping them into his mouth, at which point his eyes would close as he thoroughly tasted his treat before repeating the process. All indications pointed to one conclusion.

Yami was sexually frustrated, and was taking his frustrations out on the poor, defenseless doughnut.

Yuugi chuckled at the realization, causing Yami to look at him questionably from beneath his lashes. Yuugi merely shook his head, smiling brilliantly as he reached forward to take his own piece of the doughnut.

Yami smirked slightly as he pulled the doughnut just out of Yuugi's reach. They eyed each other for a long moment, neither giving ground, neither blinking, before another tug-of-war ensued.

First his bathrobe, and now a doughnut. If this was any indication to how his day was going to go, Yuugi was beginning to think it would be best for him to just stay in bed. Besides, it wasn't as if staying in bed was a bad thing...

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To be continued...

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Translations:

Nhs - wake(v)

Iw Tw Xnmt - Are you well

nqdd - sleep

mn - remain

Sp n nD Hr pe hrw - time to greet the day

N grg - To begin