Possession

First Things First: I can’t believe I’m here. I started this in May, and it’s July. Guys, honestly, I can’t stress this enough. Thank you, so so much for reading this story. For reading the other two stories. It was all a big experiment, I wasn’t sure if I could do it of not. Writing this has been an experience. And your reviews have been so encouraging. Going into this, I wondered just how I could justify a happy ending. Yami and Seto, at least the w’ve ’ve portrayed them, are so miserable with each other. And it’s so unrealistic to think they’d spontaneously change and be happy together. At the same time, they belong together, they need each other. Two halves of one whole. Ying and Yang. So, what was I supposed to do? How to end it and still keep the characters true? I want to thank CVE, so very very much for helping me come up with an ending that fit, that was perfect. Thank you for the countless nights of laughing about corncobs and 23lb babies, and helping me flesh out the rest of this story. I would probably still be struggling with an ending if not for you. And also, writing this gave me a surge of inspiration. Just last night I thought of another plot bunny for Seto/Yami. I know I wanted to retire, but damn it…I got the bug. So maybe I’ll write up something sooner than anticipated. Here I am plugging a story I haven’t started yet, and I haven’t finished this one. But enough of that. So…it’s done…this story is done. And such a horribly long wait for an update. But that’s because I’m posting two sections at once. Not only do you get the last chapter, but the epilogue too. So enjoy both installments… I thank you again, and in advance for the lovely reviews I know I’ll receive. The lyrics were screaming at me… so I just had to use them. And a special shout outs to Diablo and Dirty D for being wonderful fangirls. Okay, enough stalling… ^_^


Disclaimer: Alas, no YGOs for me. No song lyrics either.


Chapter 10: My All

It could all be so simple
But you’d rather make it hard
Loving you is like a battle
And we both end up with scars
Tell me, who I have to be
To get some reciprocity see
No one loves you more than me
And no one ever will

Is this just a silly game
That forces you to act this way
Forces you to scream my name
Then pretend that you can’t stay
Tell me, who I have to be
To get some reciprocity see
No one loves you more than me
And no one ever will

No matter how I think we grow
You always seem to let me know
It ain’t workin’
It ain’t workin’
And when I try to walk away
You’d hurt yourself to make me stay
This is crazy
This is crazy

I keep letting you back in
How can I explain myself
As painful as this thing has been
I just can’t be with no one else
See I know what we got to do
You let go and I’ll let go too
’Cause no one’s hurt me more than you
And no one ever will

~ Ex-Factor
Lauren Hill

I am thinking of you
In my sleepless solitude tonight
If it's wrong to love you
Then my heart just won't let me be right
'Cause I'm drowned in you
And I won't pull through
Without you by my side

I'd give my all to have
Just one more night with you
I'd risk my life to feel
Your body next to mine
'Cause I can't go on
Living in the memory of our song
I'd give my all for your love tonight

Baby can you feel me
Imagining I'm looking in your eyes
I can see you clearly
Vividly emblazoned in my mind
And yet you're so far
Like a distant star
I'm wishing on tonight

I'd give my all to have
Just one more night with you
I'd risk my life to feel
Your body next to mine
'cause I can't go on
Living in the memory of our song
I'd give my all for your love tonight

~My All
Mariah Carey

Yami tried opening his eyes, suddenly realizing that there was something covering them. A cloth of some kind. It also dawned on him that his hands were immobile, he was secured to what had to be a bed post, but some type of silken straps, laying on his stomach. Yami twitched, wondering why he didn’t remember getting into this situation. Unless of course… yes… that’s what it had to be. He was back in Egypt again. And this, this was another flash…

Warm, slick hands caressed his upper back. Yami shifted. What was this…or more importantly, who was this? Was it Seth? Or was it Mahaado? Yami swallowed. “Why am I tied like this? What are your intentions for me, Priest.”

The hands continued soothing the tenseness in his back, his heart fluttering as the hands moved lower, to pay attention to the soreness further down. Before long the hands were dipping to his kilt, and sliding it off his hips. Yami moaned, his body arching at the illicit contact. “You did not answer my question.” He received no response. “What if I told you I didn’t want this?”

The person merely chuckled darkly. But the chuckle was not recognizable. When was this happening? Was it before the rape, was it before or after his trip? Was this Seth, was this his dragon-tamer? Or was it the turquoise-eyed admirer that was doing this? “What do you plan on doing with me?”

It was clear he wouldn’t be receiving an answer. He was naked, sprawled on a bed, like a sacred offering from the gods. Before he could demand an explanation a oil slick finger probed his entrance. Yami wasn’t use to being taken. He gave in on occasion, but he was Pharaoh, why should he give in. Besides Seth had always been willing to lay with him and take the submissive role. Well, until things between them fell apart.

One finger soon turned to two, his lover stretching him open. Yami moaned, wondering exactly who this was. Who was doing this to him…who was raising his body temperature with his gentle touch? The fingers were removed, Yami letting out an involuntary whimper of protest. “Do not tease me, Priest. I am not in the mood. Release me at once.”

There was another low chuckle and the figure straddled him. Without much ado, the man penetrated him, Yami shivering at the burning sensation. He was given time to adjust, before the man began to thrust into him. It felt heavenly, Yami’s moaning letting his lover know how he was enjoying the attention. It was over before it really began. The figure released into him then forced Yami onto his knees. Yami whined as he was molested, the stranger manipulating his gentiles until he had no choice but to come. Yami could feel the silk scarves loosening.

Yami rolled onto his back and reached for his blindfold. A hand stilled him. He waited for a moment. Wondering what else his lover had planned for him. He waited for an eternity, finally deciding a pharaoh of a powerful country like Egypt did not sit on a bed with a blindfold on. So he removed it. His lover was gone.


Yami blinked twice and then sat up into the darkness. Where was he? His flashback was over…but where was he… why was it dark? Wasn’t tonight Duke’s party… wasn’t…

It all came back to him in a flood. Seto…he had seen Seto… He had…been so close…he had been so close to being with his dragon again… and Seto had…Seto had abandoned him again. The realization that that moment would be the closest he would ever get to being with his lover again washed over him. Suddenly nothing mattered. It didn’t matter where he was…or what was going on… his dragon was…he was really gone…


Seto looked at Yami, Yami flinching at the look of hatred. “It’s done, Yami. We’re through. I never want to see you ever again.”

“Have you completely lost your mind what the hell is your problem!”

“It’s over!”

“How is it over, two seconds ago we were making up! You sound like a complete psycho right now? What are you so Ra damn angry about!”

“I told you we were o An And we are.” Seto stormed towards his car, Yami chasing after him. “Get the Hell away from me.”

“You’re completely irrational. What is going on?”

Seto calmed his voice, but his look remained the same. “I want nothing more to do with you. It is over.”

“Tell me what is wrong with you!”

“You have Mahad now. You don’t need me. Let Mahad be your new dragon.”

“Dragon, don’t do this! Stop it!” Seto got into his car. “DRAGON!”

“Goodbye, Atemu.”


Yami stood up, walking towards where the door was supposed to be and walking right into a wall. Where was the doorknob? Where was the door? Who had rearranged his room? Yami looked around, barely able to make out anyg ing in the dark. This wasn’t his room. Where the fuck was he then?

The light turned on, and standing next to the switch was Mahad.

But of course it was.

Who else would it be?

“What time is it?” Yami asked, almost bitterly. Mahad looked at him for a moment.

“It’s almost three.” Yami sighed angrily. Much too late to do anything. Fucking flashbacks. He had to see Seto. He knew it was hopeless, he knew it was over. He felt like it was over…but he needed to see him anyway. “Are you okay, you were like you were the other night.”

“Is this Malik’s house?”

“Yeah. The guest room. You collapsed onto the street after you saw your ex.” Yami nodded, easily figuring out what had happened. Of course there were still some unanswered questions. Yami sat on the bed. Mahad sat next to him. “Are you okay now?”

“I don’t know.”

“I’m sorry about what happened earlier.” Mahad looked at Yami critically.

Yami swallowed for a moment before asking, “Mahad, how is it you managed to show up where I was?”

“I was following you, Yami.” Yami’s heart sank. Following? What the fuck? “I didn’t want anything to happen to you, Yami.”

“I live around here, I’m more than capable of being alright by myself. I hadn’t even gotten far.”

“What if I hadn’t shup? up? You could have been hit by a car or something when you had your aneurysm.”

“It was not an aneurysm. It was a flashback. And if you hadn’t have shown up I’d be with my boyfriend right now.”

“You mean your ex-boyfriend.” Yami narrowed his eyes. “You guys don’t look like you have a good relationship.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize I had asked for your opinion on the situation.” Mahad made a face. “I can take care of myself. I was fine.”

“He’s not good for you, Yami. You sound just like someone who’s having a hard time breaking away from an abusive relationship.”

“There’s nothing to break away from. You made sure of that by showing up when you did.”

“Yami, with all due respect, if the guy can go crazy at the mere sight of me, you’re better off without him.”

“He was angry because you look like someone we use to know. Someone I had an affair with.”

“Mahaado?”

Yami looked at Mahad for a while. “Yes, Mahaado.”

“One of your high priests, right?” Yami’s heart stopped. “You were a pharaoh in a past life, weren’t you?”

“How is it you know about that?”

“Bakura told me.” Yami narrowed his eyes. “I asked who Mahaado was and he told me. He said I am a spitting image of him. He said that it’s possible I could even be his reincarnation.”

“Look, whether or not you are Mahaado is beside the point.”

“What is the point, Yami? Do you really want to go back to him? Do you really want to surrender your happiness for him? Isn’t it about time you let him go? Once and for all? Maybe it was good I showed up when I did. Maybe you weren’t meant to be with him. Maybe fate oth other plans for you and him.”

“I don’t think I even know who I am anymore.”

“You have to think about it, Yami. Is this the person you really are, or is this the person you are when you’re with him?” Yami thought about for a while, letting Mahad’s words sink in. And what exactly was Yami supposed to do now anyway. Seto said he never wanted to see him again. Why should he go see him, only to be in misery again. Not to mention that Mahad was right, Seto flipping out over nothing. The asshole hadn’t even told him that he was having flashbacks in the first place. He had lied to him.

Yami shifted, startled when he felt Mahad’s hands on his back. “I know we don’t know each other very well, Yami. But I feel a connection to you. Maybe I really was your high priest in a past life. Maybe I really was with you before. All I know is, I would never treat you like he does. I would never intentionally break your heart.”

“I don’t know if it was intentional. I just…he doesn’t know how to make me happy. I doubt he ever could. There’s no reason to go back. Yet I can’t move on…he has my heart, Mahad. I won’t get over him. He’s a missing piece of me.”

Mahad ran his hands lower. “Lay down, Yami, you have a lot of tension. Let me help you relieve the stress.”

He did have a lot of tension. Yami lifted his shirt off and lay onto the pillow. “I’m so jaded. I don’t want to feel like this anymore.”

“You should let him go. I know my opinion is biased, but you should.”

“Biased?”

“Maybe I want you to myself, Yami. Maybe I want to watch you smile. Maybe I want to be there for you. Heal your broken heart.”

“But you’re leaving soon. You’re going back to Egypt.”

“If you asked me to stay I would.” Yami looked over his shoulder. “I’m drawn to you, Yami. You’re an incredible person. I want to make you happy, Yami. Treat you right. But if you can’t let him go just yet I understand.”

“I don’t know what to do. I just…I don’t even know if going back to him is worth it. I can’t imagine what he’d say. How long before we start fighting again. Two hours? Ten minutes?”

“It’s okay, Yami. It’s all going to be okay.” Mahad lowered his hands. Hitting a spot on Yami’s back that was very sore and tense. “You should just let him go. It’s not worth any more stress.”

"I don't think I can let him go."

"Well, let me help you forget him then." Mahad leaned over joining Yami and his lips in a heated kiss.


-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-


Mokuba jumped, startled. He had definitely heard it that time. He was sure of it. Getting up slowly, Mokuba felt with his feet for his blue eyes slippers. Once they were secured on his feet he got up and headed out into the hallway. The rooms might be soundproof, but he was sure that he had heard something from Seto’s room.

Mokuba wasn’t sure how things had gone with Yami. Ryou had told his brother exactly where Yami was and Seto had taken off to go after him. Everyone was hoping that maybe they would finally patch things up. Mokuba stayed at the party until Yugi and Ryou dropped him off at home. Seto’s car wasn’t back yet, so Mokuba wasn’t sure where he was. Yugi called to let Mokuba know Yami hadn’t returned either. So he had assumed Yami and Seto had gone somewhere together.

Maybe that’s all it was. Seto and Yami were making up. Loudly. But something kept hitting the door of Seto’s room. And Mokuba wasn’t sure what. Mokuba got to Seto’s room, unsure what to do. He didn’t want to interrupt anything, of course. But what was happening in there? Mokuba knocked loudly. “Seto? SETO!”

What in the world was going on…he had a feeling something other than sex was occurring in the room. He wasn’t naïve. He knew how violent Seto and Yami could be together. And besides it was now after three in the morning. Whatever sex they would be having had to surely be over with by now. Right? What was that steady thud? What was ste steady banging on Seto’s door?

“SETO!”

Mokuba tried the door, glad it was unlocked, he opened it, Seto stumbled forward and fell to the floor.

“SETO!”


-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-


Before Yami really knew what was happening he was laying back…Mahad removing his pants. “I’ve wanted you the instant I laid eyes on you…Yami…you’re so…you’re so beautiful…” Yami moaned, his body reacting to the touch as Mahad’s hands grabbed his erection. “So beautiful…baby…”

“Don’t call me that…” Yami shifted. What was he… Gods…ra… what was he doing? Was this the answer to his problem with Seto… Would this cure him… Was this what he wanted.

“I’m going to make you feel good, Yami….”

Mahad began taking off what was left of his clothes. “Mahad…I…I don’t know if I can….”

“Let go, Yami…let him go…heal…” Mahad leaned on top of him again, “I will never hurt you like he has.” Mahad cupped Yami’s face in his hands and delivered another passion filled kiss.


-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

< Set Seto came into the unwilling body beneath him it occurred to him what he was doing. What he had just done. He withdrew from the pharaoh, who rolled over in agony. How could he…how could he have…

“Why, Seth? Why?”

“Atemu, I am sorry…I should not have…I could not help myself.” Seto’s eyes met crimson. “I was not myself…”

“Do not say another word, Seth. Do not say anything to me. Ever.” Atemu was too weak to sit up. He settled for propping himself up on pillows. “I gave you all of me, Seth. And all of me was not enough.”

“You were with Mahaado. You hurt me.”

“And are we even now, Seth? Now that you have taken me against my will. Are we even now?” Seto swallowed. Why wasn’t he waking up from this nightmare, why wasn’t it over yet. Why was he a prisoner of this?

“Atemu, please…I…”

“Nothing will ever change what has happened, Seth. Your malice and hatred for Mahaado has won over your heart. There is no going back now. You made your choice. Now you may live with it. Just know that I loved you.”

“Did you love me? Did you love me when you were with Mahaado?”

“Yes, Seth. Yes. I loved you. I loved you always.”

“Do you admit to being with him?”

“Deep down you know what I have done with Mahaado, Seth. Deep down you know what really happened while Mahaado and I were on our trip. Your suspicions, your anger. You know what has happened. Do not ask me to tell you.”

“I should not have hurt you, Atemu.”

“We will never be happy, Seth.” Atemu winced in pain as he tried to sit up more. Seto longed to help him up, but he didn’t dare touch him. He was actually surprised Atemu hadn’t managed to get up and call the guards to escort him to his execution. “I remember the days you use to say that we would be together always, Seth. But we cannot. Even if we are to meet in the next life…my blood will stain our sheets. And I will eventually meet Mahaado… I will eventually betray you.”

“I do not believe that. There is still hope for us, Atemu. In the next life. I will change. We will change.”

“No. We are cursed, Seth. We will not be happy. Nothing will change. Happiness is a pretty illusion. Happiness is not for us.”


“SETO…please… BIG BROTHER…WAKE UP!” Seto forced his eyes open. And looked at half his house staff.

“Oh thank goodness, Master Seto, are you alright?” Seto pulled away from one of his housekeepers and looked at Mokuba.

“I was so worried, Seto!” Mokuba clung to him, his eyes still damp with fresh tears. “I heard noises from your room. You were banging your head on the door, but it was like you were in some kind of trance. When I opened it you collapsed onto the floor, Seto. Are you alright?”

Seto stood up, looking at his staff, all of who knew instinctively when their employer wanted toalonalone. “Call us if you need us, Master Seto,” one of his drivers said simply. Then they all headed to their respective quarters.

“Seto, tell me… what happened…is everything okay now, Seto?”

“Nothing will ever be okay. Nothing will be okay again.”


-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Yugi hup tup the phone, and gave his boyfriend a concerned look. “What did Mokuba say, Honey?”

“From what Mokuba described it sounded like Seto had a violent flashback last night.”

“And what about Yami?”

“Seto said he didn’t see him after he left him on the street.”

“What? I don’t understand.”

“Mokuba said Seto won’t talk about it. All he was able to piece together was that things did not go well last night and Seto took off. According to Mokuba Seto doesn’t remember anything after he left Yami standing in the middle of the road. The next memory he has is of the house servants standing over him as he came to.”

“Then what the hell happened to, Yami, Yugi?” Yugi shook his head. “You can’t get him on the link?”

“No. I can’t. I’m blocked. Gods, Ryou…I’m worried… maybe you should call Bakura…see if he knows where Yami is…”

“I don’t.” Yugi and Ryou jumped as the white haired man in question walked into the kitchen. “I was sure he was either here or with Kaiba.”

“What about Mahad, is Yami with him?”

“No. He’s not. Malik and I went to Mahad’s room this morning. Mahad was asleep, but Yami wasn’t with him.”

“Of gods, Kura, what if something happened to him?” Ryou asked, desperate.

“Don’t worry so much, Ryou. I’m sure he’s fine.” Ryou and Yugi exchanged looks. “I’ll go look for him. Why don’t you guys call the gang and ask if anyone’s seen him. I’ll let you know when I locate him, okay?”

“Bakura, just…things didn’t go well with Seto last night…so…”

“Yeah…okay.” Bakura left. He had a sneaky suspicion he knew where Yami was.


-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-


Seto was just thankful it was Sunday. Although he decided to go into the office anyway. At least no one would be there to see him so upset. He had to finalize things. He was leaving for his business trip on Tuesday, and now that Yami and him were really finished he had even extended his stay. If he was away from Yami long enough he’d eventually heal. He wasn’t planning on staying at Kaiba Corp too long, he needed to get home and do some serious packing. And Mokuba hadn’t even started packing yet.

He had three missed calls from Seig. So he had managed to get Industrial Illusions, had he? He had no intentions on having any kind of partnership with him, business or otherwise. Hopefully by the time he came back from his trip he’d get the hint. The thought that he’d actually be with him…that was laughable.

It was silly really. He wasn’t all that upset that it was over. He wasn’t even that upset that Yami was now with a Mahaado look-alike. What got him the most, what made him wish he was dead…what killed him inside was that he had given it all he had last night. And his best hadn’t been enough.

Yami had won. Yami had beaten him again. He had been right. He would never know what Yami wanted. And there was no way he would ever make Yami happy. Atemu had said it in his vision… Yami had said the same thing last year. They weren’t meant to be happy.


“We’re fucked up because we’re in love?”

“We’re fucked up because this will never be.” Seto looked at him for an explanation. “We’re fated, Seto. People like us don’t fall in love. This can never work between us. We can’t go out for dinner and a movie. You can’t kiss me in the hallway at school. We can’t double date with Yugi and Ryou. I love you so much that I hate you. That’s what’s driving this…I have these intense emotions, all bundled up inside of me. All these scars on my body, Seto… all to heal the scar on my heart.”

“But you hate me, Yami.”

“I do. I do hate you, Seto… this isn’t about love or hate.”

“What?”

“A little piece of me died last night. I’ve never been that close to death.”

“You’re not making any sense.”

“I didn’t expect you to get it.”

“What the fuck are you talking about, do you have any idea how suicidal you sound right now?”

“This isn’t about life or death, Seto.”

“I don’t… I don’t fucking understand…”

“Yes, you do. You just don’t like my answer.” Crimson locked with blue. “Nobody ever said this was a love story, Seto.”


Seto had fought hard…he had tried to understand… he had tried to convince Yami that there was still hope for them.


“I can’t be saved, Seto. This can’t have a happy ending…”

“Why can’t you be saved, why can’t I save you?”

“I’m a tragic figure…”

“Bullshit. You put yourself in that role, you martyred yourself…”

“Seto…it’s over.”

“Fuck you. You just sit there and tell me you love me and now you’re telling me it’s over?”

“I only said you had to come to terms with it, Dragon. I never said you had to understand it.”


But somehow, despite Yami’s haunting words it had been fixed…or so Seto wanted to believe.at hat he was only now realizing…was that after that night last year…there was nothing… nothing that could fix it. It was over then. This year together had only been a ghost… they had only been chasing after something that wasn’t real. There wasn’t a happy ending for them. It had taken a year to get to this point. But now…it was clear.

The moment Yami’s blood stained Seto’s sheets… that was the moment they had sealed their fate. That was the moment destiny had caught up to them. Everything else was an after thought. Any chance of a happy ended died that night…it died on that bed.


The sobbing hadn’t stopped… “Let me see… Yami…” The words an amalgamation of hurt and hopelessness… they swam in and out of Yami’s ears… he was dying… at least it felt that way…

“LET ME FUCKING SEE, GODDAMN IT.” Hands, pulled Yami’s legs apart… traces of redness…it was on the sheets…on his thighs…It could have been more…but it was certainly more than enough…

Oh Gods, Baby

The bathroom door slammed into the wall as it made contact with his fist… Seto’s dinner plummeted into the porcelain bowl…he was falling…drowning…it sure as hell felt that way…

A clumsy hand pulled the last of the toilet paper off its roll, bringing it to his mouth… the paper flushed with the evidence of his sickened state…
was was back on the bed, shaking, trembling…that other lying there, his lover, his enemy, his soul mate… a fallen angel…a martyr for some unknown cause…

“Yami.” It was a question, a statement, an answer… a word…

The boy lying on the bed was unresponsive.

“Yami, baby… please…oh gods… please… Yami…I’m…oh gods…baby… I’m so sorry… Yami…”

“I’m in love with you, Seto Kaiba…”

“YAMI.”


Seto closed his laptop. He had gotten enough work done. He was leaving Tuesday. He had packing to do. He was waiting for it to hit him. For reality to set in. But he was calm. He was collected. He was devastated, of course. But now that he understood it. Now that it was all clear to him again, he could better accept it. Yami told him he had to come to terms with it. And he was. All of Yami’s words last year made sense. It was all coming together.

There would be no happy ending now. All he had was the knowledge that they had been fated for misery from the start. He smirked to himself. Maybe Yami and him could be happy in another lifetime. Maybe third time was the charm.


-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-


“You have the hikaris worried sick, do you know that?” Yami looked up and met chocolate eyes. “Ryou was practically in tears.”

“What do you want, Tomb Robber. I thought you were banned from the museum.”

“I snuck in.”

“Of course.” Yami moved over, allowing Bakura to sit next to him on the bench. He was in the ancient Egypt exhibit, trying to reflect. But he couldn’t. What had happened last night with Mahad was replaying in his tormented mind.

“You want to talk about it?”

“Seto came. We were c to to making up. Then Mahad showed up. Then I passed out from a flashback.”

“I see.”

“Seto went irrational, he was angry that I was with him. I didn’t realize until after he left that he called me Atemu.”

“And he couldn’t have known your name was Atemu unless he’s had visions.”

“Exactly.” Yami sighed, he had cried all day, scaring the curators. He didn’t want to feel like this again. “I don’t understand it though. Malik still his the millennium rod. Seto doesn’t. So how is it that he’s remembering our past?”

“It’s not the item. It’s you. The same way you began remembering because of him. Not because of the puzzle.”

“But I don’t… what is the point of these visions? I am convinced Mahaado and I slept together. And I know for a fact Seth raped me in response to my indiscretions.”

“What does that have to do with anything, Yami?” Yami looked at the taller teen incredulously.

“You must be kidding. Bakura…”

“You’re not Atemu anymore. You’re Yami. And he’s Seto. He’s not Seth. I honestly don’t see why there would be a problem. Unless you allowed the past to repeat, unless you fucked Mahad last night.” Yami looked away. He was not discussing what happened last night. Not with anyone. Besides, he was sure Mahad would tell Bakura all about it. “Yami, if you’re in love with him nothing else matters.”

“I use to think that, Bakura. I use to be a romantic. But Seto’s managed to beat that notion out of me.”

“How much do you know, Yami? After the rape… what happened?”

“I’ve never seen anything else that gave me any clues.”

“So you don’t know how things between you and Seth were resolved?” Yami shook his head no. “Do you want to know, Yami?”

“You know?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then what happened?”

“I won’t spoil it for you.” Yami narrowed his eyes, furious. The last thing he needed was to be teased. “Why does it matter, Yami…you’re here. And Seto is here. You were given a second chance. Seth wanted you to have a second chance. And here you are…”

“I don’t understand…how could we have a second chance with so much of what happened in the past repeating itself now?”

“Yami, did it ever occur to you that you’re looking at these flashbacks backwards?” Yami gave Bakura a confused look. “You started having them because Seto and you were together. Perhaps you’re having these specific memories because these incidents remind you so much of what’s happening now. That doesn’t mean other things didn’t happen. You’re just remembering things that deal with stuff you’re dealing with in the present. Like the rape. I’m sure what happened last year between Seto and you has been on your mind a lot lately. Or when you went to Tokyo. And you had a flashback about not letting Seth accompany you on your trip. I’m sure it’s not a random coincidence.”

“Then are you saying I haven’t remembered how things ended with us because Seto and I haven’t gotten to the end yet?”

“Yami, I’m not an expert, it’s all conjecture. But what you need to do is stop trying to look to the past to figure out what’s going to happen in the present.”

“And what about Mahad?”

“What about him? You don’t love Mahad. Maybe you needed to meet him because you needed to remember how much you want Kaiba. That’s why I set you up with him in the first place. I never thought you’d really want to be with Mahad. I just wanted you to stop acting like you didn’t need Kaiba anymore.”

“Bakura…I…”

“Look, I know I’m an asshole 99 percent of the time. But ever so often…I try to be a good friend.” Yami looked at Bakura for a moment, smirking in spite of himself. “See, this is what I’m talking about. Here, in this life, when we’re Yami and Bakura…we can be friends…Gods, just wait till you remember all the trouble I caused you back then. You’ll see what I mean about the past having nothing to do with the present.”

Yami gave Bakura a little look. “I don’t know, Bakura. I just…I don’t know if it’s worth fighting.”

“Love’s always worth fighting for.”

“He’d never take me back, Bakura.”

“Why? You don’t think he feels like you do? He came looking for you last night. You should have seen him when he came to the party. Even Joey was impressed.”

“Really?”

Bakura nodded with a grin. “He shows up out of nowhere, everyone’s playing limbo. Duke drops the stick on Yugi’s head. It was funny as fuck.” Yami rolled his eyes. “Anyway, I’m like, Kaiba, what the fuck are you doing here? And he’s like…I came to see my baby. Yugi tells him you went for a walk. He told Yugi to do what he needed to. He was going to see you, right now.”

“He said that?”

“Joey wanted to know what he wanted.”

“What did Dragon say?”

“He said that he wanted you. He said that enough was enough, and he wouldn’t be satisfied until you were his again. Possessive fucker, I must say. Once Ryou got your location he left. This determined look on his face. I must say, we were all rooting for you guys. Which is why I was pretty surprised to find out things didn’t work out.”

“I see.”

“Yugi said that he knew at that moment that Seto really did love you, that he was really sorry. We all thought things were going to end happily ever after. Who knew you’d pass out in the middle of the road.”

“I just don’t see there being a happy ending to this, Bakura. Even if you take away the past… even if you take away what’s happened in this lifetime…how is it that the two of us would be happy together.”

“You’re looking for black and white answers. No one ever said you were supposed to be happy with him.” Yami looked at Bakura for a while. Finally understanding.


-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-


Seto hadn’t objected to Mokuba wanting to go to his friend’s house. Seto had wanted nothing more than to be alone. Of course he wasn’t really alone, his servants were home, but they hadn’t bothered him at all since his episode early in the morning. Coming home he finished his packing and had his bags sent ahead so they’d be waiting for him when he arrived. His publicist had said it was good thing he was going now, the media was just as anxious as ever and Seto knew he had to get away for a while so he could let the attention die down.

It took him the rest of the day to finish packing, and when he finished he decided on a nice long shower. He lost track of time as he allowed the water to soak him. He knew he had to be pushing two hours. But that didn’t matter…the water was still warm and refreshing. Eventually though, fearing he would drown if he didn’t get out he stepped out and patted himself. He blow dried his hair and secured the towel around his waist. He could never remember to bring in underwear. He had everything but.

Maybe he should be like Yami. And not wear underwear at all. Maybe just wear frilly little panties.

The bathroom door opened softly, blue eyes darting out across the room and then immediately focusing on the figure sitting on the edge of his expansive bed. For a moment the worame ame to an abrupt halt. Eyes locked, breathing stopped, Seto took long strides, carrying his trembling body across the room and over to his former lover. Somewhere in the furthest most region of his mind it occurred to him that he was still wearing nothing but a loosely draped towel around his hips.

He tightened the towel, firmly, his eyes not once leaving Yami’s. Yami swallowed the lump in his throat and stood, his body also trembling. Neither moved. Ten seconds past. Twenty. Thirty. Seto’s mind wasn’t processing what was happening, it wasn’t recognizing what was going on. What in creation was Yami doing here? How had he gotten in. Why was he in his bedroom.

Questions without answers.

“I never got a chance to give you your anniversary gift, Seto.” Seto bristled, his eyes narrowing into angry slits. Yami turned and picked the wrapped gift up, and placed it into Seto’s hands. “It’s a replacement for the one I broke.”

Seto kept his eyes narrowed, and ripped the wrapping paper off, leaving him with a dragon paperweight. “I had it designed special, months before I ever broke your other one. It’s made from crystal, with diamond scales. The eyes are sapphire, of course.” Seto took a careful glance at the blue eyes- crystal dragon before he stepped over to a dresser and put it down.

“It’s not usually customary to give someone an anniversary present when they’re no longer together.” Yami recognized his words, but said nothing. Seto didn’t bother to look at the dragon again as he moved so he was standing in front of Yami once more. “What the hell do you think you’re doing here?”

“It’s time we settled this, Seto. I am tired of pretending I’m glad that it is over with us. I’m not glad. I am miserable. I want us to be together again.”

Seto snorted. “You have wasted a trip here. I’ll give you six minutes to leave the premises, and then I’m having security escort you off my property.”

“Security was more than willing to let me in. Even they are tired of having a boss that’s so wound up.”

“Where’s Mahad, shouldn’t you be under him right now?”

Yami smirked. “I know I should be annoyed by your transparent jealousy. But actually I find it kind of cute.”

“I am nothing near “cute”, Yami.” Seto crossed his arms over his chest. “And besides, I did not know it was considered jealousy to be furious that you would be with someone else mere days after we have ended a year long relationship.”

“We did not end it, Seto. You wthe the one who ended it.”

“I thought I asked you to leave.”

“You think I’ve had sex with Mahad. You think I’ve slept with him, that is what this is about.”

Seto’s eyes darkened in anger. “You’re damn right that’s what this is about.”

“I forgot, I’m not allowed to be with anyone else even though you abandoned me.” Seto shoved Yami, his knees buckling as they met the end of the bed, forcing him to sit down. “You’re a walking contradiction. You cannot break up with someone then demand they remain single.”

“You had no right to be with him! You’re mine! It doesn’t matter that it was over, how dare you be with someone else! And him of all people! And now you come back here saying you want us to be together again? Fuck you, Yami. Fuck you! I was right to end it. I have no regrets about that. The only regret I have is wasting so much time on you. Allowing myself to be so consumed by it. But that is the past now. It is over. For good. Now get out.”

“It hurts you. It hurts you that I could sleep with someone else, isn’t that it?”

“Fuck you!”

“You’re in pain, Seto. It’s killing you. The thought that I let someone else take me. The thought that I got on my back for another man.” Yami was pushing all the right buttons and anticipated what Seto was going to do next. He moved back as Seto got on the bed and pinned him underneath him. “Tell me, Seto. What bothers you more? That it happened? Or that it was him?”

“I hate you, Yami! You had no right to be with him. You had no right to hurt me!” Seto was growling, unaware of what he was saying now. “Did you moan for him, like you moaned for me? Did you tell him you wanted more, did you ask him to take you harder? Did you enjoy it?” Yami said nothing, allowing Seto’s anger to subside. Seto was straddling his hips. Yami pinned under Seto’s death grip. He was not afraid of Seto, he waited until Seto’s anger washed away, only leaving pain.

“You were supposed to love me. You were supposed to be with me. You were mine. Like I was yours.”

“I know, Seto. That is how I felt when you walked away from me,” Yami replied calmly. Seto looked at Yami for a while, the impact of the words tearing his heart. He got off of Yami and sat at the edge of the bed. Yami sat up. He moved so he was sitting next to Seto.

“It can never be fixed, Yami. I know that. You know that. Why would you come here? Just to rub your sexual triumphs in my face?” Seto was not looking at him, but staring in his lap, his head slightly bowed. “Are you doing this for fun? To inflict pain like I inflicted on you the day I ended it? Is that what this is? Revenge?”

“No, Seto. It is not revenge. I told you why I am here.”

“Nothing can be said in this bedroom that will change our reality. It was never going to work. It won’t work. You’re going to leave here tonight and both of us are going to be alone.”

“Seto, I know you didn’t leave me to hurt me. I know you did it because our relationship was consumed by darkness.”

“There’s no going back.”

“I never slept with Mahad, Seto.” Yami had been close…closer than he wanted to admit. A couple of more minutes and it would have happened. But he had stopped himself, and Mahad hadn’t been too pleased, muttering somethabouabout blue balls.

Seto’s turned and looked at the former pharaoh next to him, unsure what to think of this revelation. “I probably should have. I thought that being intimate with someone else would cure me. But the truth is, Seto, I don’t want to be cured.”

Seto looked away. He couldn’t give into this. He couldn’t be tempted again. “It’s over, Yami.”

“It can never be over.”

“I told you to leave.”

“I never wanted romance, Seto. I gave up on having a happily ever with you a long time ago. But the funny thing is, I don’t need to be happy with you. I just need to be with you. I just need to feel you, to know that you are mine. As I am yours.”

“What are you talking about?”

“This won’t have a storybook ending. I’ve accepted that. You should as well. I know being with you again will only be painful. But I do not want to be without you. Curse it be, Seto. I need you.”

“You’re making no sense. If you know we ceverever really be happy then there is no reason to be together. I am not going to go back to misery and pain. I have hurt you, wounds that will never heal. I can only continue to hurt you. Do not deny that it’s true.”

“I have waited 3,000 years to be with you again. You made it so we could have a second chance. You wish to deny me?” Seto narrowed his eyes. “Now that you have had flashbacks, now that you have seen twe awe are destined to be together you still wish to walk away from it?”

“And what if I did have flashbacks? What does that prove? It proves that this was supposed to end. The past only makes my point. I will only hurt you. I don’t want to hurt you anymore.”

“You started having flashbacks right after the relationship ended. You didn’t believe them at first, then when you saw Mahad, who looks so much like Mahaado you realized that they really were flashbacks. And you figured history, that the past, would repeat itself.”

“You’ve figured it out. What else is there to discuss?”

“You won’t hurt me, Dragon.”

“I already have.”

“Seto…Dragon…please..”

“No. I am unrelenting about this. How is it that you can want to continue this after everything you’ve seen?”

“That was the past, Seto. This is the here and now. It is true, you must learn from the past… or else you are doomed to repeat it. But you can’t let it consume you. Younot not let it dictate your future.”

“There is no future in this. We both know that, Yami. Fuck, don’t make this harder than it already is.”

“You won’t hurt me.”

“I raped you, for crying out loud.”

“You were blinded by rage.”

“That’s no excuse.”

“I am not justifying what Seth did. I am simply reminding you that he was blinded by rage because I was with Mahaado behind his back.”

“So you had visions of it?”

“I honestly don’t know. And to tell you the truth, it doesn’t matter. We are not who were in the past. We can only learn from the mistakes that were made and move on.”

Seto narrowed his eyes in anger. “What are you learning from what happened besides the obvious, that we aren’t meant to be together, that this will only end in pain and misery.”

“I learned that Seth loved his pharaoh more than anything in the entire world. I learned that hate and malice can taint any heart. I leaned that ignoring a problem, or pretending that there isn’t one is just as bad as actually doing something destructive about it.”

“Yami, it can’t be…it can’t…”

“I forgive all of your wrongs, Dragon. In this life and the last. I will not allow my hate for you to win over my love. Don’t you love me, Dragon? Don’t you want to be with me? Don’t you want the emptiness in your heart to be full again?”

“How could you want me again…after everything…I’m…I’m not good for you. I can’t make you happy.”

“Happily ever afters are for dreamers, Seto.”

“You said last year that we weren’t meant to be happy. You said last year that this wasn’t a love story. What’s changed since then?”

“Nothing’s changed, Dragon. I still feel that way.”

“Then…”

“It’s not a good love story unless it ends in heartache. Fate is not kind to lovers, Dragon. A good love story ends with loneliness and heartbreak. It ends with death, and blood shed.” Yami looked at Seto critically. “But as I said before, and you have just said now. This isn’t a love story.”

“Three hours from now we’d be fighting again. We’d be hating each other again.”

“I am well aware of that, Dragon.”

“Why would you sacrifice your happiness for this? Why would you sacrifice anything for me?”

“Because I love you.”

“Maybe your love is not enough!” Seto stood up and crossed the room, staring at himself in the mirror. “Your love for me won’t change a damn thing, Yami. Your love for me won’t save us.”

“Not alone it can’t. But you love me too. I know you do. Don’t tell me otherwise.” Yami stood up, and approached Seto slowly, Seto was looking in the mirror, his eyes shooting daggers as Yami attempted to get closer.

“Why won’t you leave it alone? It was over last year. It was over last year when I hurt you.” Seto’s eyes dropped, his voice followed suit. “It was over last year when I raped you.”

Yami swallowed…it wasn’t enough that Yami had forgiven Seto’s sins…His dragon could not forgive himself.

“That wasn’t rape, Dragon. I made you hurt me. I forced you. I wanted the pain because I thought it would save me.”

“Rape by any other explanation is still rape.”

“I wanted it. If it was rape then I asked you to do it. Stop hiding behind our past, Seto. I’m here. Now. Wanting you, loving you. Please. I’m not claiming it’s gonna be perfect. I just need you. I don’t want to do this alone. I can’t. You can’t.”

Seto turned suddenly, tears in his eyes. “It’s over, Yami. I can’t justify letting this toxic bullshit go on any longer. I love you. That’s why I’m saying no. I can’t make you happy… I want it to be perfect for you, Yami. You deserve perfect.”

“I want you. If you love me you’ll be with me again!”

“NO! Damn it…it’s done. Just go…”

“I’m not leaving you, Dragon. I’m not abandoning you.”

“I can’t change. This is who I am. I’m a sometime-ish prick. I mistreat you, I take you for granted. I huI hurt you.”

“I love you.”

“Don’t love me.”

“It’s too late for me, Dragon. It’s much too late for that.”

“No.”

“I had a flashback in the museum, Dragon. Seth was telling me that he would meet again, in another life. That we would fall in love again, and that we would be together. That we would have a second chance.”

“Some second chance…”

“I won’t allow you to end this. It can’t end, Seto.”

“Leave me…go away.”

“It’s not over, I won’t let it be over.”

“Fuck you, Yami…get out of my fucking house.”

“Don’t fucking curse at me, you bastard.”

“I’ll fucking curse whenever I fucking want. You damn Slut…get out.”

“No.”

“GET OUT.”

“NO.”

“YES.”

“NO.” Yami watched as darkness invaded Seto’s eyes. He was ready to lose it, his control was slipping dangerously fast. “I will leave when you tell me the real reason why you came out, why you had your publicist hold that press conference. When you tell me I will go. And I will ut out of your life for good.”

“Why I came out is none of your goddamn business.”

“Then I guess I’m not going anywhere, Seto.” Yami sat back on the bed and crossed his arms. “You won’t call security on me, I know you better than that.”

“You want to know why, Yami? Huh? You want the answer?”

“Yes.”

“You promise me after I tell you that you leave. You promise me right now.”

“I promise you I will leave after you tell me.”

Seto narrowed his eyes. “It’s like the reporters said, Yami.” Yami made a face. That didn’t tell him anything. “One day Mokuba asked me what I was going to get you for our anniversary. I asked him why I had to get you anything, and he said it was because I loved you. After that, I started thinking a lot about this fucked up thing we have.”

“And?”

“It all comes down to what you said a year ago. The morning after I hurt you. You said we were fucked up because we were fated. You said we couldn’t be happy. That we couldn’t go to dinner and a movie, that we couldn’t go double dating with Ryou and Yugi. You said that you had a scar on your heart. Do you remember saying that, Yami?”

“Yes, Dragon.”

“I thought if I came out…I could give you that… I could heal that scar. If the public knew I was gay they could get use to seeing me with you. They could accept you as the man in my life. That’s why I came out, Yami. I thought that’s what you wanted. I thought you wanted normalcy. I thought you wanted what your friends had.”

Yami shook his head in disbelief…. “Seto… Dragon… if that’s why you did it… why, Ra… why didn’t you tell me that in the first place…. Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”

“I wanted it to be a surprise, Yami. I got this plan. When I found out our anniversary was gonna fall on Duke’s party I told you I wasn’t going…figuring you wouldn’t go without me, since you didn’t have a date. Then I was going to take you out, dinner and a movie. And then we were going to come back here. I was going to give you the gift, and tell you why I came out… I was going to ask you to be my boyfriend. Properly. I was…I was going to make love to you.”

“Oh Gods, Dragon…” Yami’s heart stopped. “Dragon…”

“I just…I know I owed you something. For all the bullshit I caused you…I just…when we started arguing more… when it got worse and worse…I started doubting myself. You kept complaining about the media circus I had created…and I thought you wouldn’t want this… you wouldn’t want to be in the public eye like I am. And then that day we had the fight and you said you didn’t want to be my boyfriend. When you said you didn’t want me to make you more miserable by us being official. I knew I could never make you happy…so I…I got fed up… I…ended it…”

Yami let everything roll over him… suddenly understanding so much. “Seto… I’m sorry, I am… I know I was difficult.”

“It was my fault, Yami. All my fault. You were only responding to me.”

“I pushed you. I provoked you. Instead of trying to be supportive I got nasty with you.”

“Baby…”

“Dragon…”

Seto grabbed Yami then, both of them hugging and kissing at each other desperately as they lay on the bed. Yami rolled on top of Seto, burying himself in Seto’s tight embrace.

“Oh Gods…Baby…I want you…I needed you…I couldn’t…I needed you so much…Baby…I…”

“I missed you so much, Dragon…please…”

“I’m sorry…I’m so sorry…please…Baby…I love you…”

“I love you, Dragon… more than anything.”

At that moment it dawned on Seto that this wasn’t over. There was still one more thing. “Baby, Baby stop. Stop for a minute.” Yami looked at Seto for a while, seeing something unreadable in his eyes. “Baby, I… I have bad news.”

“What?” Seto swallowed and looked away. “What, Dragon…what is it?”

“I…right after we broke up I made arrangements to go on a business trip. I’m going to the Kaiba Corp headquarters in San Francisco.”

“When are you leaving?”

“Tuesday.” Yami swallowed. “Baby…I…”

“We’ll deal with it. We dealt with it before. We can deal with it again.”

“Yami, we can’t…we can’t deal with it. Today…I…after everything that happened last night…I… I’m going to be gone longer than originally planned.”

“How long did you originally plan?”

“Two weeks.” Yami shivered.

“How long are you going now?”

“The rest of the summer.”

“That’s two months, Seto.” Seto nodded, and looked away again. “Isn’t there some way you could…”

“No. I spent all morning at my office making arrangements. It’s too late not to go. Everything is set up now. I have meetings with clients… I…”

“I understand, Seto.” Yami got off of Seto and sat Indian style, his back to the brunet. “Ra…how I love fate…”

“Yami, you have to understand. As much as you mean to me…I have obligations to Kaiba Corp.”

“I know.”

“Two months is just too long if we’re going to try to rebuild this, Yami. Things are so fragile right now with us.”

“I know.”

“That’s why you understand why you’re coming with me.” Yami turned. Seto smiling. “Don’t even think about saying no, you little slut.”

“You want me to come with you to America?”

“I’m not going without you.” Yami grinned, his heart feeling whole again. “Besides, how could you possibly last that long without me inside of you.”

“You prick!” Yami tackled him down. “Why do I get the feeling you only want me there because you want your fuck toy with you.”

“Of course that’s why. You didn’t think I actually loved you or something, did you?” Yami slapped Seto, with a smirk.

“Damn, Slut…don’t bruise the merchandise.”

“You fucker! Putting me through so much bullshit. I have half a mind not to come with you.”

“You don’t have a choice. You’re mine.”

“I’m not some possession, Seto.”

“Yes you are. You’re mine, Baby. End of story.”

“Please.” Yami rolled his eyes playfully.

“Let me show you, Baby…” Seto leaned up, pulling Yami down by the back of his neck. Their lips met…whispering against each other at first…barely touching…before neither could wait a second longer. The kiss was hungry, but controlled. Heated, but not desperate. They were one again…one soul in two bodies. They were joined again…all the hatred and anger leaving now…the past tucked away…a bad dream. This was all that mattered…

“Dragon…I love you…forever…”

“I love you. I won’t let you go again, Baby…never…”

“You better not…I will cut off your balls next time.”

“You have a knack at ruining a moment.”

“Blow it out your ass.”

Seto kissed Yami’s neck, Yami smiling. “I was going to ask you to be my boyfriend but since you’re such an asshole…”

“Yes.”

“So you agree to being an asshole?”

“I’m saying yes to being your boyfriend, you fucker.” Yami kissed him softly again.

“You just can’t leave well enough alone, huh?”

“Oh come on, Dragon…we start getting too mushy I won’t be able to recognize us.”

“This is as good as it’s going to get, is that it?”

“It’s perfect just like this.” Yami looked down and then yanked away Seto’s towel. “Okay, now it’s perfect.” Seto rolled over, taking Yami with him. “Um…Dragon…Cum Slut’s hungry…”

“Oh, trust me…you won’t be getting out of this bed…anytime soon…” Seto and Yami’s lips met for another kiss.

If they didn’t know any better…if they didn’t remember who they were…they could almost mistake this as a perfectly happy ending…

They could almost think they were going to live happily ever after.

But of course they knew better than that.

Somehow though, both of them knew…even when they did start fighting again…it would be alright…It was just another why of showing how much they cared.


Author’s Endnotes: Yeah yeah yeah… lovely… Let’s just get to the good stuff… go on… I know you want to… I know you’re getting all tingly just wondering what I have planned for the epilogue. Tehehehe….. No previews… Just go read it now.