Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Spellbound ❯ Chapter 5

Chapter 5

That afternoon I took Mokuba and Yami to the movies. I don't even know what we watched; I didn't care. Mokuba picked it. After buying enough candy to put a good-sized dent in my wallet (as well as a good-sized cavity in his mouth), Mokuba dragged me behind him into the dark theater just as the previews started. Yami followed at my heels, snickering under his breath at Mokuba's antics.

"You spoil him terribly. It's so cute," Yami whispered in my ear as he sat beside me, and his hair tickled my cheek.

"I do NOT," I protested loudly, and Mokuba shushed me. Yami just grinned and turned his attention to the movie screen.

I turned my attention to Yami. He watched the previews with some semblance of interest, smiling at various jokes, and the tiny dimple appeared and vanished periodically as I continued observing him in fascination, thankful for the darkness. What was it about Yami that I just couldn't leave alone? I'd had plenty of chances to get rid of him, and I certainly didn't have to take him with me to the movies today… Were we really friends? Was that it?

I honestly wouldn't know.

Eventually I tore my attention from Yami and watched the movie for a little while; although I didn't care much for movies, I enjoyed watching them so that I could scrutinize the special effects (and inevitably determine how I would improve them). So, I vaguely enjoyed the film- at least until I heard Yami yawn softly. Immediately I glanced back at the crimson-eyed creature beside me. He blinked slowly and his head drooped, and his long blond bangs hung over one eye- the farther one from me. An irresistible urge to brush back those soft bangs came over me, and I stealthily slipped my arm behind Yami and reached for his hair.

When Yami felt my arm against his shoulders he lifted his head and smiled at me; and scooted closer so that he snuggled against my side. I flushed in embarrassment- did Yami think I was trying to put my arm around him? I just wanted to touch his hair… His hair. Right. I finally slid my fingers through those soft bangs and smoothed them back on his forehead. Yami sighed contentedly and rested his head on my shoulder.

Uh oh. I think I gave him the wrong idea. I should really pull my arm away…or I could just keep touching his hair.

I stroked his wild hair, marveling at its fine, smooth texture, and Yami closed his eyes and made a tiny noise of happiness at my ministrations. Eventually, I let my fingers slip from his hair, deciding I had caused enough trouble in my already confusing relationship (if that was even the right word) with Yami; but before I pulled my arm away from his shoulders I happened to glance at his face. Yami's eyes still were shut and he rested his pale cheek softly against my shoulder. A perfect, blissful smile lit up his thin features.

I left my arm around him.

As soon as the movie ended I quickly let go of Yami and pushed him a respectable distance away from me. He rolled his eyes but didn't comment; for which I was incredibly grateful. Mokuba hopped out of his seat, immediately chattering happily about the movie, and caught at my hand to drag me from the theater; but amid the press of people clambering to the exits another hand slipped into mine.

Yami stood beside me, glancing at me furtively through the corners of his crimson eyes, and a flush spread over his cheeks as he cautiously gripped my fingers. I froze. "Seto, what are you doing?" Mokuba sighed impatiently, and yanked me forward, pulling me from Yami's grasp.

I have never been so grateful to my little brother.

Silently I strode to the car with Mokuba beside me, rambling about the movie's special effects. I smiled at my brother's unconscious similarity to me and unlocked the doors. Mokuba clambered into the backseat and I slid behind the steering wheel, but when Yami slipped into the passenger's seat beside me my breath hitched. He had pulled off his denim jacket to reveal the tight sleeveless shirt beneath, which accentuated his small, lithe frame. Yami shot me a tiny smile and I whipped my head back to the windshield before me.

I could feel Yami's gaze on me as I drove home. I paid extra close attention to the road.

By the time we got back to the house, it was close to 9:00; so I told Mokuba to go upstairs and get ready for bed, which he did, pouting the entire way. I laughed to myself as I watched him stomp up the stairs, until I felt a soft grip on my elbow. With a sinking heart, I turned my head to see Yami holding my arm. He probably wanted to talk about what happened at the movies…

As soon as Yami realized he had my attention, he released my arm and stepped back, blushing slightly. "Er… You never told me where my room was. I'm a little tired, and I'd like to go to bed now," was all he said.

"Oh… Well, my room is the first one on the left upstairs, and Mokuba's is right across from it. You can have any other room you want," I replied, feeling inexplicably disappointed. He nodded and gave me a quick smile.

"Thanks. Good night, Seto," Yami said softly. He took a step toward me and I thought for a second he was going to kiss my cheek again, but he just moved past me and glided calmly up the staircase. I frowned.

"Yami, wait!" I called, and he paused halfway up the stairs. For a moment I stood there, trying to think of something to say, but nothing came to mind. After a long silence Yami finally sighed and started up the stairs again. "No, wait!" I cried once more, and ran upstairs after him.

"What is it, Seto?" he asked patiently.

I still couldn't think of anything to say.

Yami groaned in exasperation at my prolonged silence. He raised a hand and patted my cheek gently, and gave me a slight grin. "You're crazy," he said indulgently, and stood on his tiptoes to softly kiss my cheek. "Good night, then," Yami added.

"Good night, Yami," I mumbled, and grinned as I watched him walk away.

I think I got what I wanted.

That night found me pacing my bedroom floor anxiously. What did I want from Yami? What did he want from me? I'd already admitted to myself that something about the wild being had drawn me in; drawn me so tightly that I could never escape from his clutches. At first, I'd just thought I owed him something- a life-debt that I could never really repay; but Yami adamantly claimed that he wanted to be my friend- that we were friends.

I never really had friends, but I don't think this is how friendship usually works. Maybe I should ask Anzu, since she seems to be the authority on the subject.

When Yami rested his head on my shoulder, he just seemed so happy, so content… It was almost like he'd been waiting for something like that to happen. And I made a complete fool of myself just to get him to kiss me on the cheek- a stupid, annoying gesture that I should be trying to avoid. I guess we were both crazy.

The important question was what happened next. Deep down I knew what I really wanted to happen; what was inevitable.

But that didn't mean I had to admit it.

"Good morning, Seto!" Mokuba chirped. I nodded curtly at him over my third cup of coffee. It had been a sleepless night. "Are you taking me to school again today?" he asked.

"I suppose; if you want me to," I answered, yawning.

"Of course I do! But it's alright with me if you'd rather stay here with Yami," Mokuba replied.

I scowled at the mention of the instigator of my insomnia. "No, I'll take you to school. Yami will be fine here by himself."

"Okay, let's go then; I'm running late," Mokuba told me, grabbing my arm before I could ingest the last of my coffee. I started to protest and reach for my coffee cup when a soft yawn distracted me.

Yami stumbled into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. He wore loose cotton pants and a white undershirt, and his face had red marks from the pillows. His typically spiky hair had an adorably ruffled quality after a night's sleep. "Good (yawn) morning, Seto, Mokuba," he mumbled. I just stared at him.

"Never mind, I'll just get the driver to take me to school in the limo, since Yami's up," Mokuba told me. I nodded dumbly, still watching Yami's slender form as he poured himself a glass of orange juice. I never even noticed when my brother disappeared.

Yami sipped his orange juice and settled tiredly into the chair beside me. "I don't know why I'm so sleepy; I went to bed early," he mumbled. Despite my own sleepless night, I suddenly felt wide awake and alert. It must have been the coffee.

"Maybe you should go back to bed for a while," I offered, finally tearing my eyes away from Yami long enough to fix another cup of coffee.

"No, I'll wake up in a minute," Yami answered. He watched distastefully as I gulped black coffee. "How do you drink that stuff? I can't handle coffee even when it's drowned in sugar," he commented.

"Oh really? Do you at least like the smell?" I grinned, holding the cup teasingly under his nose. He giggled and swatted at my arm.

"Stop that! It's okay, I guess, but…HEY!" I had swiped his glass of juice and replaced it with my coffee cup. "I was going to drink that!" he cried.

"Drink what?" I asked playfully, hiding his glass behind my back. Yami reached for it, but I moved it just out of his reach; so he climbed from his chair and leaned over me, stretching for the glass. He propped one hand on my elbow and stretched his lithe torso over me, close enough for me to smell the slight aroma of sweat on his skin. I accidentally dropped the glass.

"Kaiba! You did that on purpose!" Yami groaned. "Now I'll have to fix another one."

"Sorry; I really didn't mean to drop it. Really," I apologized, flummoxed by my own clumsiness.

"Yeah, sure," Yami grumbled, scowling at me. He opened the refrigerator and bent over to find the orange juice, and I found myself staring in fascination at his…

Kaiba, you are really in trouble.

Yami disappeared upstairs to change his clothes and I buried my face in my hands. This was not happening. I had become a complete idiot after my proud ex-rival had been in my home for less than a day. Shaking off my tumultuous thoughts (or maybe hormones) I rose swiftly to my feet and climbed the stairs to the room where Yami had spent the night. There was a simple solution to this, after all- I'd just make him go home.

He pulled the door open just as I lifted my hand to knock on it, and immediately my resolve crumbled. Yami wore his black outfit again- black leather pants and a form-fitting black shirt -with his denim jacket over all. The thought crossed my mind that those clothes shouldn't match, but it made no difference.

He was gorgeous.

"Oh, hi Seto; I was just going to look for you. Do you want me to go home now?" Yami asked. There- the opportunity I'd been waiting for. Just nod your head, Kaiba.

"NO!" I shouted vehemently.

We both blinked. "Er… Alright, then," Yami said warily. "I guess I'll just watch television or something, unless you want to go somewhere."

"Let's…Let's go to the park. We could use some fresh air," I responded quickly. Yami smiled softly and nodded his head.

"Sure, that sounds great," he said. "Just let me get my…"

"I'll get it for you!" I cried.

"…shoes on," he finished, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh," I muttered, flushing. Yami stood on his tiptoes and kissed my cheek quickly before disappearing back in his room.

"Thanks anyway, though," he told me with a little grin. I beamed.

As soon as he was out of sight my smile turned into a deep scowl, and I stomped down the stairs, grumbling to myself. That hadn't gone exactly as planned. Well, I could just take him home after we left the park; we'd be in the car anyway, and it would be easy to just drop him off at the game shop…

Or maybe it wouldn't, considering how crazy I was acting.

Yami suddenly appeared at my elbow and tapped me on the shoulder, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. "Sorry… Are you ready to leave?" he asked hesitantly.

I grinned predatorily and wrapped my arm around his waist. "You? Never," I responded playfully, and a blush crept over his cheeks. I suddenly blushed as well and we headed to the car, not looking at each other.

Even though I'd thought of it at the spur of the moment, the park happened to be beautiful that day. Clouds scudded across the amethyst sky; sending dancing shadows across the fading green of the autumn grass, and a swift breeze sent brightly-colored leaves whirling in aimless circles overhead.

I really didn't care. But then again, it made Yami happy, so I cared quite a bit.

"Let's sit down for a minute," Yami suggested, pointing toward a bench overlooking a swift-running creek. I waited until he sat, and then seated myself beside him as closely as I dared.

Yami paid no attention to me; instead he watched the rippling water in the creek bed. Heart thudding, I stealthily raised an arm, intending to slip it around his shoulders, but he turned to me and I quickly lowered my arm again. "This was a really good idea, Seto. Thanks for bringing me," Yami told me with a brilliant smile.

"You're wel…" I broke off in surprise when Yami scooted a little closer and rested his head on my shoulder. He lifted his crimson eyes to my face, watching apprehensively for my reaction. I just smirked and wrapped my arm around him, and we sat for a long time in peaceful silence.

"Yami? What are you doing?" a voice behind us gasped and we broke apart. I glanced behind me, expecting to see Yugi-tachi, but instead met the most unwelcome sight of my eventful eighteen years of life.

Isis. And Malik.

Isis was the one who had spoken, and she stared disbelievingly at Yami with tears in her big cow eyes. Malik smirked at the two of us, crossing his arms over his purple belly shirt and raising his eyebrow. "Hi there, Seto, love. I thought you didn't swing that way," he purred.

I scowled. "I told you to stay away from me."

"Can't help it. You're too perfect to admire from a distance- isn't that right, Pharaoh?" Malik teased, and Yami blushed adorably.

At Yami's blush, the tears fell from Isis's eyes and she wailed. "Yami, I thought we had something special! How could you throw it all away for him?" she cried. Yami just watched her helplessly, unsure of how to deal with the crazy, obsessive woman. I couldn't really blame him.

"So, how long have you two been a couple?" Malik asked conversationally as Isis sobbed, and Yami and I glared at him. He ignored our expressions. "Is it exclusive, then, or do I still have a chance?" he added with a wink.

"You never had a chance," I grumbled. Despite my annoyance, I was beginning to feel nervous and a little embarrassed. I hadn't even said anything to Yami yet, and these two psychos were ruining our relationship before it could begin.

Wait- what? I didn't want a relationship with Yami…did I?

I stood swiftly and glared at the two Egyptians from my impressive height. "You two are complete fools. I don't care if I run into you everywhere I go- just don't talk to me again. Or Yami," I added as an afterthought. Yami watched me in surprise from his position on the bench, and I held out a hand to him, which he took hesitantly.

We walked away hand-in-hand, leaving Isis and Malik staring after us in wonder.

That afternoon, I devised a plan.

First, I convinced Yugi to let Mokuba to stay the night with him at the college, and Mokuba was thrilled at the chance to stay in a real college dorm with his friends. I almost felt like I was doing him a favor. After I dropped him off, I stopped by a florist's and bought a huge bouquet of sunflowers. I thought flowers were a little too much, but I knew he would like them, so I bought them anyway. Then I called three different restaurants and made reservations (I liked to keep my options open) before I finally returned home.

I found him watching television in the living room. He leaned against the sofa cushions lazily, with his arms crossed casually across his chest. His bangs drooped over his eyes again, and he had removed the denim jacket, so I could see his small, thin form perfectly.

"Uh… Hi," I muttered stupidly.

"Hey… Where's Mokuba?" Yami asked, glancing casually at me. Then he noticed the bouquet and his brow furrowed. "Who gave you flowers?"

"Staying with a friend, and nobody. They're for you," I answered, holding out the sunflowers.

He took them, beaming. "Really? I love sunflowers- they're so different from all the other flowers, you know? Their ugly, dark seeds take up almost the whole plant, and they would almost make the poor things really depressing, if it weren't for the bright petals…"

I watched him, half-listening to his ramblings, as he examined the flowers. His crimson eyes sparkled happily and he absently brushed away the hair from his forehead with his slender fingers. Suddenly I was aware of a heavy silence, and Yami gazed at me curiously. "Seto? Were you listening? I guess I was rambling…"

"Would you like to come to dinner with me?" I blurted.

He blinked in surprise, and silence reigned once more. Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for. Then again, I hadn't asked quite the way I'd planned, either.

"Okay," he finally replied in a small voice. We both reddened.

"Well, you have time to change if you want…not that you don't look nice now," I stuttered stupidly. "I mean; we might go somewhere nice, so if you want to look…I don't know…nicer…"

He laughed cheerily and the awkward moment broke. "It's okay, Seto. Just give me half an hour or so," Yami said. I nodded and he hurried up the stairs, carrying the flowers with him.

As soon as Yami vanished from sight, I resumed my new hobby of pacing the carpet, counting my steps while I contemplated my actions. I'd gone too far with Yami to really change my mind, before I'd even let myself admit what I wanted. Most likely, that was the only reason anything had happened in the first place, since even I knew of my notoriety for denial. But even I couldn't deny what was happening now; I'd asked him on a date.

At least, I thought it was a date. What Yami thought remained to be seen.

"Hi… I'm ready if you are," Yami said softly, suddenly appearing at the top of the staircase. I watched him descend, holding my breath- Yami was so beautiful; so exotic. He wore a short-sleeved red shirt, made of some silky material the same shade as his eyes, and black pants (not leather this time) with matching boots that made him an inch or two taller.

"You look…really nice," I told him. I tried not to stare.

Yami blushed and dipped his proud head in an adorably uncertain gesture, and I led him to the car by the small of his back. Tonight I drove a silver BMW that Yami hadn't seen before. It was amusing watching him turn his head in all directions to examine the luxury car- for someone supposedly from ancient Egypt, Yami had a surprising fascination with technology; it almost rivaled my own.

"This car is great, Seto; why don't you ever drive it?" Yami asked curiously. I shrugged, and we conversed casually about cars until we arrived at the restaurant.

I had decided to take Yami to an Italian restaurant, one that I particularly liked, though it wasn't the fanciest place in town. Yami would probably feel more comfortable there, anyway. We found a parking spot as near to the restaurant as possible (though still not very close- this place was popular) and Yami climbed from the car quickly, tilting his head back to examine the few stars apparent in the twilight.

I walked up and slipped an arm around his waist as he stood there, and he inhaled sharply, but he didn't pull away; instead he just examined my face for a moment and smiled brilliantly. An answering smile dawned on my own face, and we stared at each other for a long moment. "We should really go inside," Yami said eventually.

I made a small noise of agreement but made no move to leave, instead continuing to watch him. Yami reddened under my continued gaze and shifted uncomfortably against my arms. When had my other arm crept around his waist? He lifted a slim hand and hesitantly brushed the thick bangs from my eyes. "Seto…" he murmured uncertainly. "We should…"

My resolve broke. I don't know what it was; maybe his hand in my hair, or the way he whispered my name, or maybe just the feel of his body in my arms. But whatever it was, I couldn't stand it anymore.

I kissed him.

Interrupting his sentence and taking him completely by surprise, I kissed the proud, wild being in my arms and drew him close against me. Yami gasped in shock but I just held him tightly and pressed my lips against his, until he slowly relaxed and began to respond. He slipped his hands up my chest and slid them around my neck, and rested against me on his tiptoes as he craned his neck to reach my lips. I tilted my head a bit lower, taking pity on the short little figure.

Yami was the one who deepened the kiss. He pulled my bottom lip between his teeth and I opened my mouth automatically; then he plunged his tongue inside teasingly. The moment he did, however, my lips tingled strangely and I had to pull away, rubbing my mouth. "What was that?" I gasped.

"I don't know; I felt it too," Yami frowned. "Maybe it's…"

Yami broke off, clutching his chest. "What's wrong?" I asked, panicking. "Are you alright?" I gently grasped his shoulders, but he just kept clutching at his chest. "Yami, WHAT IS IT?" I cried. My heart thudded in horrible fear.

"It…it burns," Yami responded weakly and fell to his knees. "My…the tattoo," he continued, as I knelt beside him. "Something's happening to it." He rested his head against my shoulder, panting, and I barely restrained my panic, for Yami's sake. Was this the end of the spell? Would he turn back into a spirit, and be lost to me forever?

"No… You can't leave me now," I pleaded desperately. "Yami, you can't! I…I think I…I love you!"

"What?" he gasped, lifting his head. "You love me? Really?"

I blushed, embarrassment suddenly overriding my panic. "I hadn't really thought about it before, but I guess I do," I muttered. The jerk laughed at me. "I love you too," he whispered, and kissed me softly. Almost immediately he pulled away. "Seto, it stopped burning," he said in relief. Yami lifted his shirt to examine the tattoo and we both stared in surprise at what we saw. In the center of the Puzzle, a new shape had been etched, replacing the Egyptian eye. The new shape was a Duel Monsters card, bold and prominent against the lines of the Puzzle.

The Devil's Sanctuary.

"Yami, what is that? What happened?" I gasped.

He stared at the new tattoo for a moment before an incredulous smile dawned across his face. "Isis was right, I think. The only way for me to really accept my equal was for us to be together," he murmured in wonder. "And I was right from the beginning; it WAS you," he added.

I shook my head slowly. "No… Yami, I'm not. I could never be your equal," I muttered, watching the ground.

Yami took my face in his hands and drew me into a long, lingering kiss. When he finally pulled away, he smiled and said, "No, you're not my equal. You're much, much more than that." Then he dropped another chaste kiss against my already swollen lips. "I love you so much," he whispered. In spite of my amazement, shock, and discomfiture, I could feel a lovestruck grin spread across my face.

"Let's not get mushy," I grumbled.