Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ You Already Have a Valentine ❯ Impending Doom ( Chapter 15 )

Monday was, as far as Mondays go, not particularly horrid. Ryou nearly gave in to the temptation to be sick so that he could make full use of the scanty time remaining before his father's return, and when he decided it would be a bad idea Bakura grumbled and made Ryou drive himself to school. Joey looked forward to the excuse to study with Kaiba, Yugi and Yami didn't care much either way, Kaiba was Kaiba, and though Mai and Tea did show up for school, they went AWOL during lunch, barely making it back in time for afternoon classes. By the end of the day, no one was happy that it was only Monday. The rest of the week hovered before them like an approaching tsunami.

The final bell rang and Ryou rushed to the parking lot with demons hot on his trail, skidding to a halt and hopping into the front seat of the Toyota, flashing Bakura a happy grin. “What do you want to do?”

“Ice cream,” Bakura grinned back, pecking Ryou on the lips as he shifted gears and raced out onto the road.

“And then?”

“We're going to eat it.”

“And then?”

“Do you actually need to ask what we're doing tonight?” Bakura halted to wait for a green light, smiling suggestively at Ryou, who blushed obligingly and ignored the comment.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a delectable haze of ice cream and physical contact.

***

Yugi found himself puttering around in a state of unreasonable annoyance all that afternoon. For one reason or another, everything frustrated him and he couldn't begin to figure out why. He no longer felt the dull ache of loneliness like a scar that hadn't quite healed when he was around those of his friends with significant others, but Mai and Tea's comments regarding the nature of his and Yami's relationship weighed heavily on his mind. He'd always been comfortable and happy around Yami before, and the new nervous discomfort only served to annoy him more. Yugi had always spoken to Yami when something was troubling him in the past. Now he couldn't talk to Yami and both Tea and Joey were preoccupied. So Yugi found himself beginning the Shakespearean tragedy for English class a month early.

Settling on the couch with a dog-eared paperback copy of Romeo and Juliet, he found solace in the couple's woes. Sometimes it's a good idea to step back and realize just how trivial your troubles really are, and at one point realization hit and Yugi dropped the book into his lap to consider. No matter what happened, Yami had always been there for him. While Yugi still wasn't convinced that Mai and Tea were correct about Yami's sexual preferences, Yami was supportive of Joey and Tea. He could at least help Yugi get over all this. Yugi smiled, thinking of Yami's comforting smile, and put the book aside. Romeo and Juliet were both blind, and Romeo was a player. Yami, however, was the love of Yugi's short life, and Yugi needed to talk to him.

Saying what one needed to do and finding the courage to do so are two very different things. Unfortunately, the next day robbed Yugi of any vestiges of courage or hope he may have had.

School passed in a blur, moving uncharacteristically fast. Yugi put special effort into concentrating on his studies, but he couldn't block the excited fear from his mind entirely. He had just finished his math and had headed into the kitchen for a glass of water when the phone rang. Yugi pounced on the phone and picked it up just before the last ring only to hear that Yami had already answered.

“Hello? Yes, it's me.” Yugi could hear the smile in Yami's voice from where he stood, and he put the phone on the receiver as swiftly as possible without making undue sound, but he wasn't fast enough.

Yugi heard a sticky-sweet voice reply, “Hey. How are you? I got your message and—” The words were nothing special, Yugi supposed, but the tone screamed intimate, and Yugi couldn't place the voice. Well, not intimate, perhaps, but private. Here it was, another flashing neon hint that he should give up his pathetic crush on his housemate. Yugi sighed and shook his head, shoving blond bangs out of his face and watching them fall back into place.

“Yes, Kei-chan, I—”

Yugi filled his glass of water, trying not to hear and wishing vainly that the sound would disappear. It was rude to eavesdrop.

“I can't talk about it right now,” Yami continued. “No, I—look, I'm not alone in the house, okay?” Yugi's breath caught. “I'll tell you when I see you tonight.”

Yugi put down his glass of water, trying to ignore the implications. It would be so easy to keep lying to himself. “Yami, I'm going down to see Grandpa,” he called in a voice he knew was too loud, and headed toward the stairs before he could hear Yami's answer. Yugi walked quickly, praying not to hear what he sensed was coming. He was almost out of earshot when he heard the tiny, muffled,

“I think I'm in love with—” Yami began in what might have been gushy voice or a wistful and lovelorn tone.

Determined not to hear anything more, Yugi raced down to the game shop, taking the steps two at a time. Listening was intruding on Yami's privacy, and honestly, he didn't want to know.

When he arrived in the shop, Yugi plastered on a grin on his face and cleared his throat. “Hi grandpa. Do you want some help?”

The old man turned from where he had been unloading a box, and his eyes crinkled as he smiled. “Oh, hello Yugi. I need to restock these, and a new order just came in.” He gestured to a stack of four boxes near the left shelf, and two more towards the back. Yugi and his grandfather fell into place beside each other in an easy and familiar camaraderie, piling games, collector's items, and cards on the shelves and display table. About fifteen minutes into the work, Motou-san inquired, “So, do you want to tell me about it?”

“What?” Yugi evaded cautiously, placing a box of booster packs on the shelf and avoiding his grandpa's gaze.

“Yugi,” the old man sighed, closing his eyes and then turning to face Yugi and catching his eyes. “Something's wrong. Do you want to talk?”

Yugi's eyes widened, betraying genuine surprise. The old man was usually oblivious. Yugi gave a half-smile and shrugged. “Semester finals are only a little over a month away. I guess the stress is getting to me. I'm sorry if I'm not good company today.” As he spoke, Yugi convinced himself the lie was true.

“No, not at all Yugi. I wanted to talk to you, but you've been so busy lately.” Motou-san's eyes crinkled again and he grinned, and Yugi suppressed a pang of guilt. They continued stocking the shelves, speaking of school, books, and games. Finishing, they closed the shop and headed back to the shop. Yugi was surprised to see that the sun was beginning to set, and was grateful he only had a little studying left to do before he could sleep.

“Yugi,” Motuo-san interrupted his grandson's reverie, “you still don't have a girlfriend?” Yugi, raised his brows, startled, and glanced at his grandpa. “Oh, I know, it'll disrupt your studies,” the old man continued. “I was just thinking that most boys your age do.”

Yugi smiled thoughtfully. “Well, like you said, it wouldn't be good for my studies. Besides, it's best if I finish school and have a steady income before I get involved in such things.”

“You've always been such a good boy, so reliable, but sometimes I think you're too serious.” The old man smirked and raised one brow in a devilish manner. “No boyfriend either, then?”

“Grandpa!” Yugi protested, embarrassed. He fervently wished that an image of Yami hadn't flashed through his mind, and determined to take this conversation in a less hazardous direction. “Do you know what you want for dinner?”

“Oh, you don't need to cook.” The look in Motou-san's eyes made it painfully obvious he was aware of what Yugi was trying to do. “It's already getting late, so I thought we'd heat up the rice and veggies from yesterday.” Yugi nodded his assent, and Motou continued, “Yami told me earlier he'll be out for dinner for an appointment.”

Yugi swallowed audibly and murmured something that could have been an agreement or a question.

“He's seeing his psychiatrist,” the old man added. Yugi stumbled on the top stair as they entered the kitchen, and turned to face his grandpa.

“Psychiatrist?” Yugi queried, his voice sounding more feminine that usual.

“Yes. He's been seeing one almost since he first became human. Apparently, the rush of hormones and the suddenness of experiencing time for the first time in several thousand years wasn't something he felt he could handle on his own.” Motou-san smiled as he turned on the stove. “She's some lady who works by acting as a friend, but has the authority to prescribe medication. Yami didn't want to tell anyone, but he needed me to help him afford it.”

“Oh.” Yugi covered his momentary lapse of coherent thought by opening the fridge to pull out the leftovers and handing them to his grandpa. He remained mostly silent until they had finished the meal and began washing the dishes. Staring down at the soapy plate in his hand, Yugi gulped in as much air as he could and began in a rush so that he wouldn't lose his nerve.

“Grandpa, it's about Yami.”

“Yes?”

Yugi scrubbed the plate furiously to cover his embarrassment. “Well that's what's wrong. I feel like we're growing apart and I barely know him anymore and it's my fault, and—”

Motou-san gently removed the plate from Yugi's hands. “Breathe, Yugi. Let's sit down.” Yugi gave him a jerky nod, and the two sat down at the table.

“Well, grandpa, I—” Yugi hiccupped, breaking the tension, and let out a nervous giggle. “I think I like Yami more than I should.”

“Hmm.” The old wanted to laugh and say, “Ha, I knew it!” but instead nodded sagely. He understood.

“I mean, he's always been an older brother to me, and he's one of my best friends. When his psychiatrist called earlier, though, I thought she was his girlfriend, and I was jealous. It's not right. Yami trusts me.”

“And he cares about you enough to help you. Only you can figure it out, and only he can walk you through it.” The old man sat back and grinned. “I sound so wise, don't I?”

Yugi snorted, unsure if this had actually helped. He needed to talk to Yami, but he still didn't know how to begin and didn't feel he had the courage to do so.

***

Ryou cuddled into Bakura's embrace as his boyfriend fumbled with the clasp on his pants. What would it be like when he couldn't have this any longer? How would he live through seeing Bakura everyday and not even being able to hold his hand. Ryou muffled his sigh against Bakura's lips and slid his hands across the smooth skin of his chest.

“Don't think about it,” Bakura warned, breaking away. This was their last remaining time together, and it would be more enjoyable if they didn't dwell on the impending doom.

“Now get up and take your clothes off.” Ryou wiggled his hips, pressing himself against Bakura, and then shoved himself from the couch. Bakura groaned a needy protest. “And hurry, will you?”

“I want to go to the bedroom,” Ryou taunted, lifting his shirt and tossing it over his head. “Or maybe we should try practicing celibacy for when my dad gets back?”

“Ryou,” Bakura growled.

“What happened to itoshi?” Ryou called, dancing out of the living room and up the stairs and knowing Bakura was following with both feet and eyes.

When Bakura caught up with Ryou in his bedroom, the first words out of his mouth were, “Pants off now.”

Ryou complied, and then asked, “Do you want the briefs off too?”

Bakura choked slightly, watching Ryou. He was pale, but not in an unhealthy way. The kid had gained a few inches and a couple pounds since Bakura had first met him years ago, but he was still slim, a slight, wraith-like figure, but still so real, and so alluring. Bakura met Ryou's eyes squarely, and murmured, “I want you naked and screaming.”

Ryou smiled, taking it in stride. He was almost used to the way Bakura talked during sex. Almost. Certain parts of his body were affected very strongly by these words. Ryou moaned softly, and reached down to touch himself. “'Kura...” He fell back onto the bed. “I'm still so sore, though.” His eyes narrowed. “I could take you.”

Bakura's eyebrows lowered, and Ryou was reminded very suddenly that being naked and horny did not affect Bakura's confidence or his ability to be both intimidating and dangerous.

Ryou smiled with his eyes half-closed. He could barely think at all right now. “I'm kidding, 'Kura. I don' wanna be top.” Ryou lay back into the bed, letting his legs slide over the edge and caressing himself through his underwear. “Wanna help me out, baby?”

 

 

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Aren't I evil? I so love being evil.

If it makes you happier, I've already started the next chapter, and it should be out shortly.

And of course, thank you so much minna-san. Reviews are my life blood. And thank you for pointing out that mistake Almighty Neko-chan. That was kind of embarrassing—I mean, it should be so obvious—but I have to admit the possibility is rather funny. It should be fixed now =) I think I need to go back over this story and try to re-edit it, but it hasn't happened yet. I like to believe I'm perfect, but then I run across something I hadn't noticed the ten other times I read through the chapter and...well, that definitely deflates my ego.

See you next chapter!

~Mala